State education officials outline broad updates to content standards, special‑education manual and graduation requirements; committee approves two rule dockets,

The Idaho State Department of Education presented a package of administrative rule updates to the Senate Education Committee covering revised content standards, updates to the Special Education Manual and changes to high‑school graduation requirements. The committee approved two rule dockets by voice vote at the meeting; committee members asked for additional documentation and raised questions about how changes would be implemented, especially in rural districts.

Greg Wilson, chief of staff at the State Department of Education, told the committee the content standards reviewed during the 2024 cycle — including arts and humanities, computer science, driver education, information and communication technology, and social studies — were incorporated by temporary rule to ensure continuity for districts. He said the State Board of Education approved the standards in June 2024 following a multi‑stage review process that began in August 2023 and included educator committees, drafts, and public comment.

Wilson said the Idaho Special Education Manual was revised after the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) notified the department in December 2023 that portions of the manual were not compliant with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The department revised the manual in 2024 and used temporary rules so districts would begin the school year in compliance; the administrative…