S1438 Additional Cuts To Idaho Digital Learning Alliance Budget By $13.5M (52%)

OPPOSE - This legislation reduces the FY 2027 budget for the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) by $13.5 million—cutting it to roughly half of its FY 2026 funding. It also prohibits the use of funds from the Public Education Stabilization Fund, effectively capping enrollment in IDLA programs. Additional provisions require IDLA to certify that no funds support courses related to DEI and impose new budgeting and operational reporting requirements to prohibit “double-dipping”, where districts receive extra state funding for kids taking online classes..

IDLA has long been recognized as a model for how virtual education can expand access to high-quality learning opportunities, particularly in geographically dispersed states. The program is funded through a combination of legislative appropriations, course fees paid by students’ home school districts, and private grants. Its benefits far outweigh its relatively modest cost: students gain access to courses that may not be available in their local schools due to size, location, or staffing limitations—challenges that are especially common in Idaho’s many rural communities.

All students deserve equitable access to educational opportunities. These cuts undermine that principle, and we oppose this legislation.

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