Category: Blog

By Jeff Simmons, IDLA Superintendent During the legislative session each year, getting caught up in the negative is easy. We quickly spotlight issues that are not resolved or not resolved to the preference of some. However, with the negatives in each session, there are also positives, and many positives are drowned out in each session […]

Originally posted by: Digital Learning Collaborative, March 21, 2024Written by: John Watson Now that we’re a few weeks removed from DLAC, it seems like a good time to reflect on what we saw there. I’ll start with a key caveat, though—at a conference with hundreds of sessions and more than 1700 attendees, any person’s view is going […]

The system we use at IDLA to develop our team culture encourages each team member to be “outward-minded.” Being outward-minded defines how each of us looks at others. When I look at another person, do I see them as someone valued and important? Or, when I look at another person, do I see them as […]

Simon Sinek has a well-known Ted Talk about starting with why. For those who haven’t seen it, I would encourage you to watch it before reading the rest of this post. For those who would like a quick summary, here goes… When asked what you or your company do, you usually start with what you […]

Those of you who are legislative junkies may have noticed House Bill 452. This bill is legislation that proposes an update to IDLA’s funding formula. “Why is IDLA updating their funding formula?” you may ask yourself. Here’s the “why” behind House Bill 452. IDLA’s Strategic Plan Goal 6.1 states, “Ensure IDLA sustainability through fiscal responsibility […]

In July 2023, the State of Idaho announced the 2023 National Merit Scholars. National Merit Scholars are students who have demonstrated they are academically exceptional. Of the 2023 list of Merit Scholars, Idaho is home to 42 of them. These outstanding 42 students are just a glimpse of the excellence and promise Idaho can expect […]

When my son was still in school, my wife and I often pulled out a game called Table Topics at the dinner table. It was less of a game and more of an opportunity for us to talk. The box of cards was filled with conversation starters, some silly and some serious. We could usually […]

IDLA is Idaho’s state virtual school. We provide supplemental online courses to all students enrolled through a public school in Idaho. So, what exactly is the value of a state virtual school? In the spirit of the season, here are a few gifts IDLA places under the Idaho Education tree each year: Equity. Each district […]