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‘We’re hopeful we run out of money:’ Little seeks to get the word out on Launch
This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Sept. 21, 2023. NAMPA — Idaho Launch will officially launch next month, and some students are counting down the days. Hundreds of high school seniors have already signed up for notifications about the Launch application window, which opens on Oct. 3, Gov. Brad Little said Thursday. That’s […]
Feds write off $37 million in Phoenix student loans. Will U of I end up on the hook?
This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Sept. 21, 2023. The Biden administration is writing off $37 million of University of Phoenix student loans — and it’s unclear whether that move would leave the University of Idaho on the hook. U of I and State Board of Education officials downplayed Wednesday’s news, and said […]
U of I, former law school professor agree on $750,000 settlement
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on September 15, 2023 (UPDATED, 2:45 p.m., with comment from Sanders.) The University of Idaho and a former law professor have reached a $750,000 settlement, resolving a race and gender discrimination lawsuit. The settlement was finalized in U.S. District Court earlier this week. Shaakirrah Sanders Shaakirrah Sanders joined the U of […]
‘Do your job:’ Little rips critics of Phoenix megadeal
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on September 15, 2023 Gov. Brad Little vehemently defended the University of Idaho’s proposed University of Phoenix purchase — and told three U.S. senators to butt out of the debate. In a letter sent Friday — and shared on Little’s account on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter […]
Analysis: The University of Idaho’s University of Phoenix purchase is a complicated federal case
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on September 14, 2023 The University of Idaho-University of Phoenix alliance didn’t suddenly become a federal case this week. It’s been one all along. Three out-of-state U.S. senators wrote U of I President C. Scott Green Monday, urging him to walk away from a Phoenix purchase, and their stinging letter sent […]
Idaho parental panel opposes using grants for private school tuition
This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Sept. 11, 2023. An advisory committee does not want to expand the Empowering Parents program to include private school tuition and fees. While nonbinding, Monday’s vote foreshadows a school choice debate that appears almost certain to resurface during the 2024 legislative session. The outcome of this debate […]
Idaho AG Labrador parcels out lawsuit, pushes back against State Board of Education
This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Sept. 6, 2023. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has assigned one of his deputies to take over a lawsuit against the State Board of Education. Meanwhile, Labrador pushed back against State Board Executive Director Matt Freeman — and the allegation that Labrador sought out confidential information from […]
‘We want this deal to happen:’ University of Phoenix officials downplay risk to Idaho
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on August 29, 2023 University of Phoenix President Chris Lynne and chief academic officer and provost John Woods made two things very clear Friday. The University of Phoenix could help convince more Idahoans to attend college. And the $685 million purchase of the for-profit online giant carries little risk for the […]
Idaho State Board of Education launches all-out defense against attorney general’s lawsuit
This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on Aug. 23, 2023. It was a flurry of filings. Last week, the Idaho State Board of Education’s hired outside attorney submitted four motions designed to undercut Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s open meetings lawsuit. An Ada County district judge will take up one of these motions Thursday morning. […]
Analysis: What we know about the University of Phoenix sweepstakes
This story was originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on July 27, 2023. Maybe the University of Idaho really did outmaneuver several other would-be University of Phoenix bidders. It’s a useful narrative for U of I leaders, who are trying to sell a controversial $685 million deal in a skeptical court of public opinion. It serves the […]
Idaho State Board of Education wants a judge to toss Labrador lawsuit
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on July 25, 2023 The State Board of Education’s hired attorney wants a judge to toss Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s open meetings lawsuit against the board. Labrador’s arguments against the State Board — and its closed-door meetings to discuss the University of Idaho’s plans to acquire the University of Phoenix — […]
Analysis: Idaho schools chief puts a K-12 funding formula rewrite on a fast track
Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on July 20, 2023 Before the pandemic, lawmakers spent three years trying to rewrite Idaho’s byzantine school funding formula. They failed. Now, state superintendent Debbie Critchfield wants to finish the job — in barely six weeks. On Wednesday morning, Critchfield packed a conference room with a powerful group of politicos and […]