Idaho Home Learning Academy director describes statewide virtual charter model, funding and accountability to House committee

BOISE — Terry Sorenson, executive director of Idaho Home Learning Academy, told the Idaho House Education Committee that the statewide virtual public charter serves K‑12 students across Idaho, gives parents an education savings account of $1,800 per student, and delivers instruction through contracts with three educational service providers.

Sorenson said Idaho Home Learning Academy is authorized through Oneida School District and became a charter this school year to obtain a funding model she described as more workable for the program. "Parents have a greater role in their students' education," she said, describing parents as learning coaches who select curriculum and submit student artifacts to show mastery of state standards.

Why it matters: the academy’s model blends parental choice with public‑school oversight and raises questions about state funding, special education obligations under federal law and whether Idaho should loosen statutory limits on charter growth so the program can expand.

Sorenson described the academy’s instructional and accountability model. The program offers teacher‑led synchronous instruction, self‑paced asynchronous options and in‑person activities through partner providers. K‑8 students have a teacher…