Idaho

Abstract

This article is an update on public school finance in the state of Idaho. The article includes updated information regarding the following topics: funding priorities for P–12, changes to the funding formula for P–12, pressing state issues affecting P–12, and exclusive to P–12, what are the alternatives to traditional public schools offered by your state and what does the trend in funding look like for these alternatives. As of 2022, the state of Idaho maintains the lowest per pupil expenditure (PPE) in the nation, ranking 51st when including the District of Columbia. Idaho’s PPE was $8,376 in 2021, which comes in at 58% of the national average of $14,360. The average Idaho teacher’s salary is $51,817 which ranks 45th in the nation. Idaho also ranks last in K–12 education support staff average earnings at $25,830. However, the state of Idaho interestingly ranks 17th in the area of student achievement. The legislature voted to temporarily change its funding formula to an enrollment-based calculation for the 2021–2022 school year. Governor Little vetoed House Bill 723, which means the funding formula will switch back to an average daily attendance calculation in 2023–2024. The major funding priorities for the state of Idaho related to education are as follows: funding the Career Ladder, full-day kindergarten, teacher compensation, literacy initiative, and the opportunity scholarship. A couple of pressing state issues for Idaho include the teacher shortage and the public school funding formula, which is always a topic of possible revision.