H0940 Elimination Of Course Offerings For The Idaho Digital Learning Alliance

OPPOSE - This legislation significantly narrows the scope of the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA), eliminating course offerings that fall outside its core mission of providing supplemental online classes for Idaho public school students. The bill removes custom sections that allow duplicate funding, excludes participation by virtual schools, and eliminates driver’s education courses and all programs serving K–5 students. It also establishes minimum course fees and caps state funding at $445 per course. As a result, an estimated 6,700 course enrollments will be lost.

While we recognize the need to address funding complexities - particularly where students are counted in both in-person and online settings - these cuts are overly broad and risk undermining student success. Early learning programs like Launchpad provide critical intervention and help set students on a path toward long-term achievement. Gaps in the early years are rarely recovered; they tend to widen over time.

Access is also a key concern. IDLA plays an essential role in ensuring that students—especially those in rural areas - can take specialized classes or earn dual credit when those options are not available locally. A more targeted, thoughtful approach would preserve these opportunities while addressing funding concerns.

This legislation was signed into law on April 10, 2026.