Idaho Home Learning Academy director outlines program model, funding and oversight questions

Terry Sorensen, executive director of the Idaho Home Learning Academy (IHLA), told the Senate Education Committee that IHLA is a statewide public virtual charter authorized under Oneida School District and serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Sorensen said the program provides parents an $1,800 educational savings account (ESA) per student per year for curriculum and approved learning resources, and that families may access those funds via direct purchase through IHLA's contracted educational service providers or by submitting receipts for reimbursement. "Nobody's given money" directly to parents, she said; rather, service providers account for purchases and the amount is subtracted from the family's ESA balance.

Sorensen described IHLA as a mastery‑based program that requires student work submissions to certified teachers: K–8 students have scheduled check‑ins with teachers and submit artifacts to an electronic portfolio on alternating weeks; high‑school students submit work weekly. She said all IHLA students take state‑required assessments…