Idaho's latest test scores: The good, the bad, the ugly
- Chris Cargill
- Aug 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 10
Idaho’s latest ISAT results should set off alarms.
Despite significant increases in state funding, scores have barely budged — with just 53.2% of students proficient in English, 42.3% in math, and 41.7% in science. Yes, the state technically “met its goals,” but no one should be satisfied with half of Idaho kids struggling to meet watered-down expectations.
Top 10 Schools - Math
SCHOOL | % PROFICIENT |
North Idaho Stem Charter Academy | 91.9% |
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy | 89.0% |
Syringa Mountain | 81.0% |
Liberty Charter | 79.7% |
Victory Charter | 78.8% |
Troy | 75.5% |
Legacy Public Charter | 74.9% |
North Star Charter | 72.2% |
Compass Public Charter | 71.6% |
Cottonwood | 71.0% |
Top 10 Schools - Language Arts
SCHOOL | % PROFICIENT |
North Idaho Stem Charter Academy | 95.6% |
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy | 93.9% |
Syringa Mountain | 91.1% |
North Star Charter | 85.0% |
Victory Charter | 84.2% |
Liberty Charter | 83.7% |
Compass Public Charter | 81.2% |
Legacy Public Charter | 78.9% |
Thomas Jefferson Charter | 78.7% |
Mccall-Donnelly | 78.3% |
This isn’t a one-year blip, and Idaho is doing better than many other states. But for years, states have poured more money into the system, only to see flat results. Entire generations of students are moving through our schools without ever mastering the basics. And often time the children falling the furthest behind are those who can least afford it: low-income students, English language learners, and others who are trapped in a system that simply isn’t working for them.
Our students deserve better. Families should have the power to choose the learning environment that works best for their child — whether that’s a neighborhood public school, a charter school, private school, online program, or homeschooling.
House Bill 93, the Parental Choice Tax Credit, was a major step in that direction. Expanding those kinds of options is one way to raise achievement and close the gaps that plague our system.
Because here’s the truth: stagnation is not success. If half our kids are failing to meet grade level, then the system is failing them. We shouldn't lower expectations. Instead, we should empower parents to seek the best for their children.
The choice should be obvious.
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