Idaho Home Learning Academy director describes statewide growth, ESA use and special‑education challenges to House Education Committee

Terry Sorensen, executive director of Idaho Home Learning Academy, told the Idaho House Education Committee on a morning hearing that the statewide virtual public charter serves thousands of Idaho students and gives each parent an education savings account of $1,800 per student per year to buy curriculum and materials.

Sorensen told lawmakers Idaho Home Learning Academy (ILA) is authorized through Oneida School District, serves kindergarten through 12th grade, partners with three educational service providers and requires state testing and documented student work to meet accountability requirements. “Parents have a greater role in their students’ education,” Sorensen said. “Parents can choose supplemental resources like technology, hands‑on activities, manipulatives, books, tutoring.”

ILA’s model draws on contracts with private education service providers to deliver curriculum, field trips, testing coordination and to administer the ESAs, Sorensen said. She told the committee the program has grown substantially since its start and that the school’s enrollment was reported at roughly 7,200–7,925 students in recent counts. She said the academy has “over 600” special‑education students and several dozen special‑education teachers and administrators.

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