Idaho superintendent urges return to basics, highlights reading gains and career-technical grants

Idaho State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield told the House Education Committee on Jan. 23 that the state’s education priorities should focus on foundational skills, preparation for careers and stronger teacher training.

Critchfield said she wants “to get back to basics,” placing particular emphasis on early reading skills taught through phonics and on ensuring students are at grade level in math. She told the committee that Idaho has seen 8% growth in third-grade reading proficiency over the past two years and that the state tests all K–3 students with the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI).

Why it matters: Critchfield said early reading and math proficiency are the building blocks for future learning and for students to be prepared for work or postsecondary education. She framed the department’s work as supporting locally elected school boards and local educators while modernizing state funding to better reflect student needs.

Critchfield described four central goals: (1) strengthen early reading and reading comprehension by emphasizing phonics and the “science of reading,” (2) define and promote essential math standards so core building-block skills are taught consistently, (3) increase career and technical education opportunities so diplomas connect to locally relevant jobs, and (4) improve teacher preparation and mentoring to reduce turnover.

Reading and math: The superintendent said phonics is the “number one input for successful reading” and that Idaho’s IRI results, which cover roughly 86,000 students who…