Idaho’s educational system is a complex and ever-evolving one. It is made up of a variety of public and private schools, as well as a number of charter schools. The state also has a number of educational agencies and organizations that work to support and improve the system.
In this in-depth analysis, we will take a look at Idaho’s educational system from a variety of perspectives. We will explore the state’s funding, graduation rates, and academic achievement. We will also discuss the challenges facing Idaho’s schools and the steps being taken to address them.
### Funding
Idaho spends an average of $7,212 per pupil, which is below the national average of $7,666. However, the state’s per-pupil spending has been increasing in recent years. In 2017, the state spent $6,834 per pupil.
Idaho’s funding formula is based on a number of factors, including the number of students in a district, the cost of living in the district, and the district’s tax base. The formula is designed to ensure that all students have access to a quality education, regardless of their family’s income or the district in which they live.
### Graduation Rates
Idaho’s high school graduation rate is 86.2%, which is slightly below the national average of 88.6%. However, the state’s graduation rate has been increasing in recent years. In 2017, the graduation rate was 84.2%.
There are a number of factors that contribute to Idaho’s high school graduation rate, including the state’s focus on early childhood education, its commitment to providing all students with a quality education, and its emphasis on college and career readiness.
### Academic Achievement
Idaho students score below the national average on standardized tests in reading and math. In 2018, Idaho students scored 479 in reading and 481 in math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The national average was 500 in both reading and math.
There are a number of factors that contribute to Idaho students’ low scores on standardized tests, including the state’s high poverty rate, its large rural population, and its lack of diversity. However, the state is taking steps to improve student achievement, such as increasing funding for education, providing more support for teachers, and expanding early childhood education programs.
### Challenges
Idaho’s educational system faces a number of challenges, including:
* A high poverty rate
* A large rural population
* A lack of diversity
* A lack of funding
The state is working to address these challenges by increasing funding for education, providing more support for teachers, and expanding early childhood education programs.
### Steps Being Taken
The Idaho State Board of Education is taking a number of steps to improve the state’s educational system, including:
* Increasing funding for education
* Providing more support for teachers
* Expanding early childhood education programs
* Holding schools accountable for their performance
* Improving the state’s standardized testing system
The state is also working to improve student achievement by focusing on early childhood education, providing more support for teachers, and expanding career and technical education programs.
### Conclusion
Idaho’s educational system is a complex and ever-evolving one. The state faces a number of challenges, but it is also taking steps to improve the system. By increasing funding, providing more support for teachers, and expanding early childhood education programs, the state is working to ensure that all students have access to a quality education.
### References
* [Idaho State Department of Education](https://www.sde.idaho.gov/)
* [National Center for Education Statistics](https://nces.ed.gov/)
* [National Assessment of Educational Progress](https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/)
