Idaho Department of Education

06/13/2026

Over 115 people participated in the fourth annual Symposium on Civic and History Education Conference for Civic and History Teachers. This year featured Robert J. Allsion, Stewart Gardner, and Kaitlyn Grundy.

55 Idaho K–12 schools/districts were represented.

This event was created to better support teachers on the front lines of raising the next generation of Idahoan Americans. Attendees learn from keynote speakers and break out sessions facilitated by colleagues—all with the aim of developing responsible, thoughtful, and caring leadership and citizenship in Idaho students.

06/12/2026

U.S. Department of Education Approves Idaho’s Returning Education to the States Waiver 👇

06/12/2026

Earlier this week, Superintendent Critchfield was invited to participate in a discussion in Washington D.C., where an assistant secretary of the treasury shared information to State leaders about returning education to the states and federal dollars becoming available to support all student learning.

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The Superintendent took this photo in an area of the The U.S. Department of the Treasury that is not typically open to the public. The courtyard was decked out in anticipation of America's upcoming 250th birthday!

06/12/2026

*MEET THE TEAM SUPPORTING IDAHO EDUCATION*

Shawn Carters is a USDA Foods Coordinator working on the Child Nutrition Programs team. She has been with the department for almost 14 years. Before that, she spent 25 years writing and administering grants as the Planning Director for Sage Community Resource (Formerly Ida-Ore Planning and Development Organization)—an Economic Development District for Southwest Idaho serving 10 counties in Idaho and two in Oregon. Born and raised in Boise, Shawn graduated from Boise State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

In her work for the department, Shawn oversees the ordering, delivery and inventory management of all USDA Foods for Idaho schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Right now, she is ordering Direct Delivery and Further Processed Items for SY 26/27 and consolidating those orders into trucks that will be delivered to the state warehouse starting in July.

06/11/2026

Superintendent Critchfield is at the Idaho Indian Education Summit at Idaho State University!

Thank you to EVERYONE who is showing up to engage with fellow educators, support Native students, and strengthen educational opportunities across our state.

It was especially meaningful for her to spend time with Native royalty, whose leadership, culture, and service continue to inspire future generations.

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"We are grateful for the conversations, partnerships, and shared commitment to helping every student succeed," say Idaho Department of Education event facilitators.

06/10/2026

Idaho's 2026 CapEd Credit Union Teacher of the Year Laron Johnson has taught over 9000 students in his 29 years at Rigby High School.

Watch the full segment on KTVB's YouTube. 👀

06/10/2026

Congratulations, Post Falls High School! 👏

🎉🎉Congrats Class of 2026! 🎉🎉

06/09/2026

FACT OR MYTH??
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.

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MYTH. The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, HOWEVER, it was not signed until August 2, 1776.

America's 250th birthday is just 25 days away. 🦅

Make history this summer by helping to complete 250,000 acts of service across Idaho before July 4, 2026.

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https://www.justserve.org/America250Idaho

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Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield at the Idaho statehouse, in front of a giant replica of the *signed* U.S. Declaration of Independence.

06/08/2026

Superintendent Critchfield was honored to speak to the American Legion Boys State—one of the most respected and longest-running educational programs of government instruction for high school students.

This program introduces students to legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational opportunities, all while teaching participants about the rights, privileges, duties and responsibilities of a franchised citizen.

📸 Photo taken June 3, 2026.

06/06/2026

On Thursday, the Idaho Department of Education held the first of four Listening Sessions to Modernize the Idaho Public Schools Funding Formula.

About two dozen education leaders, parents, and community members turned out to share their $0.02 about how the state is funding K–12 education.

Have an idea? Please email [email protected]

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📸 Idaho Senator Dave Lent, welcomed participants and asked follow up questions throughout the session.