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House OKs oversight, residency and contracting rules for Idaho Home Learning Academy (HB 6-24)
Summary
House Bill 6-24, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability for the Idaho Home Learning Academy (referred to on the floor as AILA/ILA), passed the House; the bill requires contract approvals by local boards, residency verification, curriculum standards and limits on state funds flowing directly to parents.
The Idaho House on Feb. 13 approved legislation intended to increase oversight of the Idaho Home Learning Academy, a public virtual charter school whose enrollment surged during the COVID era.
Sponsor summary: Representative (S22) told the chamber HB 6-24 would require that contracts with education service providers be approved by local school boards, ensure students’ residency is verified, require curricula meet state standards, and require that education service providers disclose how funds were used. The sponsor also said the bill would not allow state funds to be paid directly to parents or guardians and would set parameters for allowable supplemental learning funds.
Why supporters gave the bill priority: The sponsor described the measure as a bipartisan effort that aims to bring clarity, transparency and accountability to a public virtual charter school that grew rapidly during the pandemic. Supporters said the bill clarifies relationships between authorizers, school districts and education service providers.
Procedure and vote: After sponsor remarks and no further floor debate, the clerk reported 68 ayes and two absent and HB 6-24 passed the House. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
Next steps: Implementation details, including the list of allowable supplemental expenses and verification processes, will be set out in the bill text and by the State Board of Education and local education agencies as required by the statute.
