Idaho Legislature: Ask Legislators to VOTE NO on S1147 - Outcomes-based funding (posted 03/06/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators (link below):

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

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S1147 adds yet more cost and complexity to existing school funding schemes. Schools should be attaining desired outcomes without incentives – it’s their job! If they fail to do their jobs properly, the schools should be penalized, not given complicated-to-calculate extra funding if they happen to do what they should be doing already.

Notes:

• Outcomes-Based Funding component is subject to appropriation and is accounted for in the Governor's FY 2026 K-12 budget at $35 million.

• State board of education standards referred to in this bill seem extraordinarily bureaucratic and opaque as a basis for “real world” outcomes.

Details:

• "Outcomes-based funding" means funding distributed to local education agencies based on meeting targets in mathematics proficiency and growth in grades 5 through 8 and attainment of the credentials necessary for transition into the workforce or postsecondary education in grades 9 through 12. Such funding shall be aligned with the strategic student achievement goals determined by the state department of education and approved by the state board of education.

• Schools can receive financial support based on (very complex calculations, highly simplified below):

  (1) mathematics performance, with 60% of funding allocated for math outcomes including student growth and proficiency.

  (2) secondary outcomes, with 40% of funding based on graduation rates and students attaining workforce or postsecondary education credentials.

  Economically disadvantaged students are weighted more heavily in the calculation.

• State legislature must review the outcomes-based funding program in 2030 and every five years thereafter to assess its effectiveness.