Idaho Education: Unpacked

Katie McGuire and Alexis Morgan
  • 5.0 (4)
  • News

Hosted by Katie McGuire, mom of three, and Alexis Morgan, mom of four and host of The Purple Zone

  1. Q&A with Alexis- Finding the right school fit and more

    May 20

    Q&A with Alexis- Finding the right school fit and more

    Katie interviews Alexis to discuss the myth of a “perfect” school fit, and what to prioritize when making school choices. They also talk about what to do if issues arise in the classroom, and how to thank teachers and staff at the end of a school year.

    29 min
  2. Legislative Session Recap

    May 6

    Legislative Session Recap

    The legislative session finished up in April. We unpack three education issues from the session (budget cuts and colleges, virtual schools and IDLA, and high-performing districts flexibility) and discuss how they might affect Idaho families.

    32 min
  3. May primary elections and the weight they hold in Idaho

    Apr 22

    May primary elections and the weight they hold in Idaho

    In just one month, Idahoans will go to the polls and vote in the primary elections for all 105 legislative seats, as well as the governor, superintendent of public instruction, and many other positions. For both the Democratic and Republican parties, these elections often determine who will win in the general election. Alexis and I discuss how these elections work and their implications for education.

    24 min
  4. Understanding and engaging with your local school board

    Apr 8

    Understanding and engaging with your local school board

    This week, we hear about Alexis’ experience as a school board trustee. She also gives practical suggestions for how we can all engage with our local school boards, from “headline engagers” to “issue-by-issue engagers” to “all-out engagers.”

    28 min
  5. The funding formula– why it matters for Idaho schools and students

    Mar 25

    The funding formula– why it matters for Idaho schools and students

    This week, Alexis and Katie discuss that although the funding formula can be complicated, it matters to families in Idaho. This formula, which hasn’t been overhauled since 1994, determines how much money is given to school districts and charter schools to run their classrooms. More than $ 2.5 billion is being allocated.

    25 min
  6. The four-day school week: where it came from and what it looks like for families

    Mar 11

    The four-day school week: where it came from and what it looks like for families

    This week, Alexis and Katie take a look at four-day school weeks in Idaho. What started as an attempt for rural school districts to save money has now spread throughout the state. In 2015, about 27,000 Idaho students attended a four-day school. In 2024, the number was around 100,000. Some families love four-day school weeks. Others struggle with them. We look at all the pros and cons and help you see what this might look like for your family if you are not already on a four-day school week. Plus, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Alexis gives wise advice about family holiday traditions.

    23 min
  7. Episode 8: Charter Schools vs. Traditional Schools: What you need to know

    Mar 4

    Episode 8: Charter Schools vs. Traditional Schools: What you need to know

    Schooling choices can come with real decision fatigue. Whether your child attends a charter school or you know nothing about them, tune in this week to get the big picture on what makes charter schools different than traditional schools, and get help making those important schooling decisions.

    20 min
  8. Episode 7- Answering Your Questions: School Decisions and Spring Break Plans

    Feb 25

    Episode 7- Answering Your Questions: School Decisions and Spring Break Plans

    In this episode, Alexis and Katie discuss legislative updates, including attempts to address the $100 million special education funding gap. They also answer questions about choosing a school for your child, and what to do over spring break.

    27 min
See All (14)

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hosted by Katie McGuire, mom of three, and Alexis Morgan, mom of four and host of The Purple Zone

Information

  • Creator
    Katie McGuire and Alexis Morgan
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Idaho EdNews 2026
  • Show Website
    Idaho Education: Unpacked

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