Idaho Digital Learning Academy enrollment climbs; board considers cutting course fee to $40

At a March 4 Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee hearing, Legislative Services Office analyst Jared Tetrault and Idaho Digital Learning Academy Superintendent Jeff Simmons told lawmakers IDLA's enrollment and funding formula changes are increasing the program's budget visibility and prompting a proposal to reduce course fees.

Tetrault explained that House Bill 452 revised IDLA's funding so appropriations are tied to the number of enrollments rather than being bundled within the broader public‑school appropriation. Under current statute IDLA is funded at $430 per eligible enrollment; Tetrault said a Decentralized Estimate Change (DEC) in House Bill 251 would increase that amount to $445 if enacted and that committee action or statutory amendment would be required to change the per‑enrollment code if necessary.

Enrollment and finance details Tetrault told the committee the agency estimated 49,680 enrollments when the budget was set; the current actual figure was closer to 52,000 and the academy's materials showed an estimated budgetary appropriation of about $21.36 million (49,680 enrollments x $430). He noted that a higher final enrollment would generate an expected withdrawal request (a PSIF/appropriation adjustment) to cover additional per‑enrollment costs. Tetrault also reported IDLA began fiscal 2024 with a cash balance of about $5.0 million and ended the year with roughly $8.5 million.

Simmons described program growth drivers and instructional focus. He said IDLA had notable growth this year in driver's education and in an elementary K–5 literacy program tied to Istation assessment and instruction. "We have a K through 5 program," Simmons said, describing how the program pairs a certified elementary teacher with local classroom instruction to provide more individualized reading support.

Simmons also reported instructional outcomes and operational targets. He said IDLA reports a final percentage grade to the enrolling school at course completion and that the academy has an internal goal of a 90% pass rate; "Last year we hit 89%," he said. Simmons told lawmakers IDLA uses the same standards and benchmarks as in‑person public schools and reports grades and growth data for participating districts.

Course fee and access Simmons told the committee IDLA is statutorily authorized to charge a per‑course fee capped at $75. He said the IDLA board was considering a proposal to reduce the course fee to $40 for the next year to lower financial barriers for students and families. "We are proposing a $40 course fee, which is a $35 reduction for next year," Simmons said, adding the program would monitor finances to confirm the reduction is sustainable.

Questions and committee action Committee members asked why an expected withdrawal figure appeared in the budget and whether the program had an RFP or contract in place; Tetrault replied the withdrawal estimate reflected enrollment variability and that the agency had negotiated contracts and was confident the projection process would avoid an undesired PSIF withdrawal. Simmons said the academy had signed a contract for some services and negotiated pilots into the agreement, which reduced the requested base in one line item.

Simmons closed by noting IDLA's recent investments in AI tools, expanded dual‑credit and technical course access, the elementary literacy initiative and parent engagement work. He told the committee the academy expected continued enrollment growth (about 9% year over year at the time of the hearing) and asked lawmakers to consider the enrollment‑driven appropriation when setting funding.

Ending Lawmakers will consider final appropriation levels after enrollment counts close and pending statutory items (including the DEC in House Bill 251) are resolved. IDLA said it would continue to pursue course fee reductions where financially feasible.