Idaho superintendent urges return to phonics, boosts for teacher preparation and career-education programs

Debbie Critchfield, Idaho State Superintendent, told the Idaho House Education Committee on Jan. 23 that her office will prioritize getting ‘‘back to basics’’ in K‑12 instruction with a focus on phonics-based reading instruction, essential math standards and expanded career-technical education opportunities.

Critchfield said the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) shows progress: ‘‘In the last 2 years, we have seen, 8% growth in our third graders for reading proficiency,’’ and she emphasized state testing of kindergarten through third grade as a tool for identifying needs. She said the IRI covered about 86,000 students last year and that statewide third-grade proficiency measured about 70% under the current scoring contract (she said a prior norming method would have produced a roughly 75% figure).

Why it matters: reading and math proficiency, teacher readiness and how state dollars are allocated affect students across Idaho and shape district-level decisions on curriculum, staffing and remediation. Critchfield framed the department’s work as supporting locally elected school boards and local educators to improve outcomes.

Critchfield outlined four interlocking…