Idaho’s statewide virtual learning provider is bracing for a significant enrollment decline this coming school year after state lawmakers slashed its budget by more than half, forcing layoffs, program eliminations, and new fees for students across Ada County and beyond. The Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) projects course enrollments will fall from 56,695 last school year to roughly 43,500 — a drop of about 23% — according to figures presented Thursday at the State Board of Education meeting held at Boise State University.
Deep Budget Cuts Reshape IDLA’s Course Offerings
IDLA Superintendent Jeff Simmons outlined the financial situation to the State Board, explaining that the Idaho Legislature approved House Bill 940 earlier this year, cutting approximately $13.4 million from IDLA’s $26 million annual budget. That reduction — nearly half the organization’s total funding — has forced sweeping changes to what the platform can offer students statewide.
Among the most significant changes, HB 940 eliminated IDLA’s elementary school program entirely and removed driver education courses from its catalog. The legislation also limited so-called “custom sections” to situations where a school district cannot locate a qualified teacher locally, and it cut state reimbursements for private schoolers and students enrolled in all-virtual public school programs.
The fallout was immediate: IDLA laid off 27 elementary teachers as a direct result of the program cuts.
To help bridge the gap between reduced state funding and ongoing operational costs, IDLA plans to draw $5.5 million from its fund balance. State appropriations will now cover an estimated 32,000 course enrollments — leaving a significant portion of expected demand without a funding backstop.
Simmons described how IDLA is adapting its course catalog in response. “We’re narrowing our course catalog and really focusing the course offerings that we can provide on courses that would be a graduation requirement or lead towards some type of certificate or degree,” he said.
New Dual Credit Fees Linked to 50% Summer Enrollment Drop
One of the more visible immediate effects of the budget restructuring has been in dual credit enrollment. Summer school dual credit participation has fallen roughly 50% compared to the same period last year — a decline Simmons attributed directly to a new fee structure that now charges students between $40 and $100 per dual credit course.
“That’s the only change in our dual credit program from last summer to this summer, and so we do think that’s making an impact,” Simmons told the State Board.
Dual credit courses allow high school students to earn college credit while still enrolled in secondary school, often at lower cost than traditional college tuition. The new fees, while modest compared to standard college course pricing, represent a new financial barrier for families who previously accessed those credits at no cost through IDLA.
Bright Spots in Literacy Scores at Local Schools
Not all news from Thursday’s State Board meeting was concerning. The Board also approved updates to Idaho’s Comprehensive Literacy Plan, which is reviewed and revised on a five-year cycle. Separately, literacy data from the 2024-25 school year showed notable gains at several schools.
Three schools — Ponderosa Elementary, Ustick Elementary (both in the West Ada School District), and Fernan STEM Academy in Coeur d’Alene — posted Idaho Reading Indicator score improvements ranging from 31% to 38%. Those results represent some of the strongest literacy gains recorded across the state and offer a positive data point amid broader concerns about student outcomes following the pandemic years.
What Comes Next
IDLA will move into the next school year with a restructured course catalog focused on graduation requirements and career-pathway credentials. Families whose students previously relied on IDLA for elementary instruction, driver education, dual credit access, or custom course sections will need to work with their local districts to identify alternative options.
Parents in West Ada, Boise, and other Ada County districts who have questions about how the IDLA changes affect their students should contact their school district’s curriculum office. Students interested in dual credit opportunities should ask their high school counselors about district-based or college-partnership alternatives that may carry lower or no fees.
The State Board of Education’s next scheduled meetings will provide further updates on IDLA’s enrollment figures as the new school year approaches.