Charter School Choice
Does the state have charter schools?
Are for-profit charter schools or management companies allowed?
"No charter shall be approved under this chapter: To a for-profit entity or any school that is operated by a for-profit entity, provided however, nothing herein shall prevent the board of directors of a public charter school from legally contracting with for-profit entities for the provision of products or services that aid in the operation of the school."
Is there a cap on the number of charter schools?
We did not find information about caps on charter schools in Idaho statutes. However, "[n]o whole school district may be converted to a charter district or any configuration that includes all schools as public charter schools..."
An Idaho policy expert indicated that Idaho does not have caps on charter schools. Additionally, Education Commission of the States indicates that Idaho does not have caps on charter schools.
33-5203. (2)(a): Authorization — Limitations.
Education Commission of the States 50-State Comparison
Are charters required to provide transportation for any students?
Charter schools are not required to provide transportation; however, each public charter school shall provide the department with an enrollment count of public charter school students who are eligible for reimbursement of transportation costs under the provisions of this subsection and who reside more than one and one-half miles from the school. The state department of education is authorized to provide the charter school with around 60% of the estimated transportation cost annually. Eligible students should reside within the public charter school’s primary attendance area, and must meet at least one of the following two criteria: (a) The student resides within the school district where the public charter school is physically located; or (b) The student resides within 15 miles of the public charter school, by road.
33-5208.(4): Public charter school financial support. Transportation support.
Can charter schools employ uncertified teachers?
33-5204A: "Every person who serves in a public charter school, either as an employee, contractor, or otherwise, in the capacity of teacher, supervisor, administrator, education specialist, school nurse or librarian, must comply with the professional codes and standards approved by the state board of education, including standards for ethics or conduct."
33-5206: "Certified teachers in a public charter school shall be considered public school teachers."
33-5204A: Applicability of Professional Codes and Standards
33-5206.(3): Requirements and Prohibitions of a Public Charter School
Virtual School Choice
Do state statutes allow for full-time virtual schools?
Idaho statutes allow for both virtual charter schools and virtual traditional public schools.
Are virtual schools required to track attendance?
"Each student in attendance at a public virtual school shall be funded based upon either the actual hours of attendance in the public virtual school on a flexible schedule, or the percentage of coursework completed, whichever is more advantageous to the school..."
Do virtual schools have to comply with state teacher certification requirements?
We did not find any policies specific to virtual schools regarding teacher certification. However, charter school teachers "must comply with the professional codes and standards approved by the state board of education, including standards for ethics or conduct." Additionally, "every person who is employed to serve in any elementary or secondary school in the capacity of teacher... shall be required to have and to hold a certificate issued under authority of the state board of education." A policy expert in Idaho stated that virtual schools must comply with state teacher certification requirements.
33-5204A: Applicability of Professional Codes and Standards
33-1201. Certificate Required
Private School Choice
Does the state have voucher programs?
Does the state have educational expense tuition tax credits or deductions?
Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?
Is there a cap on the number of students or private schools participating in voucher programs?
Are voucher students in private schools required to take any standardized tests?
Can private schools be removed from voucher programs based on performance?
Are private schools in voucher programs required to provide transportation?
Interdistrict School Choice
Does the state have interdistrict choice programs?
"Whenever the parent or guardian of any pupil determines that it is in the best interest of the pupil to attend a school within another district... such pupil, or pupils, may be transferred to and attend the selected school..."
Are receiving schools or districts required to provide transportation to any students?
"Whenever any pupil enrolls in, and attends a school outside the district within which the parent or guardian resides, the parent or guardian shall be responsible for transporting the pupil to and from the school or to an appropriate bus stop within the receiving district."
"The board of trustees of any Idaho school district, as a creditor district, may, subject to the approval of the state board of education, enter into an agreement with the governing body of any school district in another state, as the debtor district, to educate, and if necessary transport, any of the pupils of such debtor district."
33-1402. Enrollment Options.
33-1403. Transfer of Pupils by Initiative of the Board of Trustees.