By Valerie Doherty, IDLA Communication & Brand Manager
As the longest-standing full-time employee of the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA), I’ve had the privilege of seeing online education in Idaho grow from an idea into a powerful force for students across the state. Since IDLA’s start in 2002, we’ve been on a mission to bring quality education to every Idaho student. Let me share a bit about our journey and how IDLA has shaped learning in our state.
When IDLA was created by the Idaho State Legislature, our goal was clear: make education accessible to all students, no matter where in Idaho they lived. Idaho is a big state with lots of rural areas, and many schools just didn’t have the resources to offer every course students wanted or needed. IDLA launched with a handful of classes, mostly in core subjects.
Over the years, technology improved, and we grew with it. Better internet (can you believe we started during dial-up?) and devices allowed us to reach students in remote areas, giving them the flexibility to fit learning around their busy lives, whether they were athletes, working part-time, or helping out at home.
As we added more courses, we also saw new ways for students to learn. Some students started combining in-person classes with IDLA courses, a model known as blended learning. This lets students customize their schedules, which is a game-changer, especially in smaller schools.
IDLA also became a resource for teachers across the state. We offered training on how to teach online, so Idaho teachers could connect with students in digital spaces. Watching teachers gain these new skills has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey here.
Today, IDLA offers more than 340 courses, including career and technical education, dual credit, and more. We’re committed to bringing Idaho students the best in online learning. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our experience allowed us to quickly support schools as they switched to remote learning. IDLA became a lifeline for students and teachers, helping everyone adapt.
As we look to the future, IDLA will keep finding new ways to make learning flexible, accessible, and high quality for all Idaho students. We’ve come a long way from those early days, and I’m proud to have been a part of this journey from the start. IDLA is more than just online courses; it’s a way to connect Idaho students with the education they deserve, and I can’t wait to see where we go next.
