1 in 5 Rural Idaho Students Rely on IDLA: And It Just Lost Half Its Funding

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Alexis sat down with Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) Superintendent Dr. Jeff Simmons to unpack what really happened with HB 940 and related legislation and why this moment is about far more than online classes.We break down the full policy landscape and the impacts on kids in the state? The 50% in funding cuts to IDLA means fewer courses, fewer enrollments, and a new reality for schools trying to meet student needs.But here’s where it matters most:IDLA isn’t just a program...it’s statewide infrastructure.For many schools, especially in rural Idaho, it’s how students access required courses, dual credit, credit recovery, and pathways to graduation. When that access changes, the ripple effects don’t show up in headlines, they show up in student schedules, missed opportunities, and narrowed futures.We also get into what lawmakers intended, where perception and reality diverged, and what it felt like to lead through a moment of statewide uncertainty.This conversation ultimately asks a bigger question:What does the state owe students when it comes to access?Because this isn’t just about IDLA.It’s about whether every Idaho student has what they need to succeed. Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageSend Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential [email protected] great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:https://www.thealexismorgan.com