STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS29682 / H0716
This bill would establish a new section 33-118B and direct the Idaho State board of education to adopt and
incorporate by reference into its administrative rules, the draft Idaho Content Standards for English Language,
Arts, Mathematics and Science. These draft documents (dated July 13, 2021) were recommended by the
Standards Review committees of 2020 and 2021. After several years of deliberations by the House and Senate
Germane Education Committees, letters from the committees were submitted to the Idaho Governor, Idaho
State Board of Education and the Idaho Department of Education requesting that the Idaho Content Standards
be reviewed and replaced. These requests in 2020 and 2021 initiated various subcommittees of legislators,
educators, school administrators, and state department staff. Their work culminated in draft standards dated
July 13, 2021. This new section further provides that school districts shall have until June 30, 2024 to adopt
curricular materials pursuant to changes provided for in this bill or adopted through the subsequent negotiated
administrative rule process. The state requires each content standard to be reviewed on a five-year cycle.
The English Language Arts and Mathematics Content Standards were scheduled for 2021, while the Science
Standards would be up for review in 2022.
FISCAL NOTE
It is expected that in compliance with Federal rules, the changes in these Content Standards will require a
review of the changes for appropriate alignment with the Idaho State Assessment Tests. The cost of this
review is estimated to not exceed $125,000 for each of the three standards for a total of $375,000 in Fiscal
year 2023. The new standards are considered to retain an equal level of rigor. For purposes of comparative
analysis of student academic growth, it is the goal to not significantly modify assessments. This will provide
a consistent long-term comparison. Costs associated with professional development and training of educators
should be covered by the expected return to pre-pandemic levels of professional development budgets, which
were impacted by holdbacks and shifts from general funds to federal funding sources.
Contact:
Representative Lance Clow
(208) 332-1000
Senator Steven Thayn
(208) 332-1000
DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and fiscal note are a mere attachment to this bill and prepared by a proponent
of the bill. It is neither intended as an expression of legislative intent nor intended for any use outside of the legislative
process, including judicial review (Joint Rule 18).
Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note Bill SOP/FN INTRODUCED: 03/01/2022, 10:06 AM