Idaho School Climate Policy

 

There are 90 school districts in Idaho with 719 K-12 schools. During the 2021-2022 school year, there were 316,972 students enrolled. About 36% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. Idaho has a policy for school climate that involves accountability for improving school measures. There is a policy that requires each school district to have a comprehensive school-wide policy on school climate, student harassment, violence prevention, discipline, relationship abuse, and sexual assault and suicide prevention. Other policies address bullying prevention, emergency planning, anti-discrimination, and internet use. There is a policy that makes any parent that insults, upbraids, or abuses a teacher to be guilty of a misdemeanor. There is a policy addressing “tribal schools” in Idaho which are institutions or programs that provide education run by federally recognized American Indian tribes.

Safety

Idaho Administrative Code 08.02.03.112 Accountability.

School district, charter school district, and public charter school accountability will be based on multiple measures aimed at providing meaningful data showing progress toward interim and long-term goals set by the State Board of Education for student achievement and school improvement.

  • School quality measures

https://casetext.com/regulation/idaho-administrative-code/title-idapa-08-education-board-of-and-department-of/rule-080203-rules-governing-thoroughness/section-080203112-accountability


Who does this protect? Students and Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Idaho Administrative Code 08.02.03.160 Safe Environment and Discipline.

Each school district will have a comprehensive district-wide policy on;

  • School Climate
  • Student harassment
  • Violence Prevention
  • Discipline 
  • Relationship abuse and sexual assault 
  • Suicide prevention 

https://casetext.com/regulation/idaho-administrative-code/title-idapa-08-education-board-of-and-department-of/rule-080203-rules-governing-thoroughness/section-080203160-safe-environment-and-discipline

 Idaho Statutes 18-917A Student Harassment – Intimidation – Bullying. 

  • Provides a definition of bullying, harassment, and intimidation as well as the behaviors or actions
    • No student or minor present on school property or at school activities shall intentionally commit or conspire to commit, an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying against another student.

    https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title18/T18CH9/SECT18-917A/

    Idaho Statutes 33-1631 Requirements for Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Information and Professional Development.

  • District policies shall include a series of graduated consequences that may include, but are not limited to, referral to counseling, diversion, use of juvenile specialty courts, restorative practices, on-site suspension, and expulsion for any student who commits an act of bullying, intimidation, harassment, violence or threats of violence.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH16/SECT33-1631/

Idaho Statutes 18-916 Abuse of school teachers.

Every parent, guardian, or another person who upbraids, insults, or abuses any teacher of the public schools, in the presence and hearing of a pupil thereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title18/T18CH9/SECT18-916/

Idaho Administrative Code 08.02.02.111 Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation Prevention and Response.

Professional development in the prevention of bullying will include the reporting process for students and staff, investigation protocol, the involvement of law enforcement, related student support services, and parental involvement.

https://casetext.com/regulation/idaho-administrative-code/title-idapa-08-education-board-of-and-department-of/rule-080202-rules-governing-uniformity/section-080202111-bullying-harassment-and-intimidation-prevention-and-response


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Idaho Statutes 33-5904 Office of School Safety and Security.

The administrator of the division of building safety, manager, and other personnel of the office of school safety, and security may enter all public educational facilities in this state at reasonable times to conduct annual assessments for consistency with the school safety and security guidelines developed by the Idaho school safety and security advisory board.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH59/SECT33-5904/

Idaho Statutes 33-5906 Powers and Duties of the Idaho School Safety and Security Advisory Board.

Develop, annually review and modify, if necessary, school safety and security guidelines for the office of school safety and security to use in conducting its annual assessments, training, and technical assistance.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH59/SECT33-5906/

Idaho Statutes 33-512 Governance of Schools.

The board of trustees of each school district shall maintain a safe environment for students by developing a school safety plan for each school and by meeting annually with emergency first responders to update the plans and discuss emergency exercises and operations.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH5/SECT33-512/

Idaho Statutes 18-3302d Possessing weapons or firearms on school property.

It’s prohibited for any person to possess a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon while on the property of a school or in those portions of any building, stadium, or other structure on school grounds.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title18/t18ch33/sect18-3302d/


Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Idaho Statutes 33-136 Suicide Prevention in Schools.

Each public school district shall adopt a policy on student suicide prevention. Such policy shall, at a minimum, address procedures relating to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH1/SECT33-136/

Idaho Administrative Code 16.07.37.101 Teens at Risk Program.

This program is for individuals attending Idaho secondary public schools who have been identified by school personnel or their designee as expressing or exhibiting indications of depression, suicidal inclination, emotional trauma, substance use, or other behaviors or symptoms that indicate the existence of, or that may lead to, the development of mental illness or a substance use disorder.

https://casetext.com/regulation/idaho-administrative-code/title-idapa-16-health-and-welfare-department-of/rule-160737-childrens-mental-health-services/childrens-mental-health-services/section-160737101-teens-at-risk-program

Idaho Statutes 16-2404a Teen early intervention mental health and substance abuse specialist program.

School districts seeking to have one or more teen early intervention specialists placed within their district may apply to the department of health and welfare for such placement.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title16/t16ch24/sect16-2404a/


Who does this protect? Students and Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Teaching/Learning

Idaho Statutes 33-2002 Responsibility of school districts for education of children with disabilities.

Each public-school district is responsible for and shall provide special education and related services to persons between the ages of three and twenty-one who are individuals with disabilities.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH20/SECT33-2002/

Idaho Statutes 33-2003 Responsibility of school districts for education of gifted/talented children.

Each public school district is responsible for and shall provide special education and related services to persons between the ages of five and eighteen who are gifted/talented.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH20/SECT33-2003/


Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Idaho Administrative Code 08.02.03.008 Definitions H-S.

Service learning activities are integrated into the academic curriculum and provide structured time for a student to think, talk, or write about what was done or seen during the actual service activity.

https://casetext.com/regulation/idaho-administrative-code/title-idapa-08-education-board-of-and-department-of/rule-080203-rules-governing-thoroughness/section-080203008-definitions-h-s


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Interpersonal Relationships

Idaho Statutes 33-131 Definitions-Tribal School- Tribal Education Authority.

“Tribal school” means an institution with an educational program that has as its primary purpose providing education in any grade or grades from kindergarten to twelfth grade and that is controlled by the elected governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe in Idaho or by a tribal education authority established under the laws of a federally recognized American Indian tribe in Idaho.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH1/SECT33-131/


Who does this protect? Indigenous Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Idaho Administrative Code 08.02.02.111 Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation Prevention and Response.

Professional development for school staff related to bullying, harassment, and intimidation.

https://casetext.com/regulation/idaho-administrative-code/title-idapa-08-education-board-of-and-department-of/rule-080202-rules-governing-uniformity/section-080202111-bullying-harassment-and-intimidation-prevention-and-response

Idaho Statutes 33-136 Suicide Prevention in Schools.

Suicide awareness and prevention training may be provided within the framework of existing in-service training programs offered by the state board of education and the state department of education or as part of professional development activities.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH1/SECT33-136/


Who does this protect? Staff, Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Idaho Statutes 33-136 Suicide Prevention in Schools.

Each public school district shall adopt a policy on student suicide prevention. Such policy shall, at a minimum, address procedures relating to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH1/SECT33-136/

Idaho Administrative Code 16.07.37.101 Teens at Risk Program.

This program is for individuals attending Idaho secondary public schools who have been identified by school personnel or their designee as expressing or exhibiting indications of depression, suicidal inclination, emotional trauma, substance use, or other behaviors or symptoms that indicate the existence of, or that may lead to, the development of mental illness or a substance use disorder.

https://casetext.com/regulation/idaho-administrative-code/title-idapa-16-health-and-welfare-department-of/rule-160737-childrens-mental-health-services/childrens-mental-health-services/section-160737101-teens-at-risk-program

Idaho Statutes 16-2404a Teen early intervention mental health and substance abuse specialist program.

School districts seeking to have one or more teen early intervention specialists placed within their district may apply to the department of health and welfare for such placement.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title16/t16ch24/sect16-2404a/


Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Institutional Environments

Idaho Statutes 33-6001 Parental Rights.

School districts and the boards of directors of public charter schools, in consultation with parents, teachers, and administrators, shall develop and adopt a policy to promote the involvement of parents and guardians of children enrolled in the schools within the school district.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH60/SECT33-6001/

Idaho Statutes 33-6001 Parental Rights.

School districts and the boards of directors of public charter schools shall annually notify parents or guardians of their rights.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title33/t33ch60/sect33-6002/


Who does this protect? Parents

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Idaho Statutes 33-5904 Office of School Safety and Security.

The administrator of the division of building safety, manager, and other personnel of the office of school safety, and security may enter all public educational facilities in this state at reasonable times to conduct annual assessments for consistency with the school safety and security guidelines developed by the Idaho school safety and security advisory board.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH59/SECT33-5904/

Idaho Statutes 33-5906 Powers and Duties of the Idaho School Safety and Security Advisory Board.

Develop, annually review and modify, if necessary, school safety and security guidelines for the office of school safety and security to use in conducting its annual assessments, training, and technical assistance.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH59/SECT33-5906/

Idaho Statutes 33-512 Governance of Schools.

The board of trustees of each school district shall maintain a safe environment for students by developing a school safety plan for each school and by meeting annually with emergency first responders to update the plans and discuss emergency exercises and operations.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH5/SECT33-512/

Idaho Statutes 18-3302d Possessing weapons or firearms on school property.

It’s prohibited for any person to possess a firearm or other deadly or dangerous weapon while on the property of a school or in those portions of any building, stadium, or other structure on school grounds.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title18/t18ch33/sect18-3302d/


Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

 

There is no current policy surrounding Social Inclusion in the state of  Idaho. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

Social Media

Idaho Statutes 33-132 Local School Boards – Internet Use Policy Required.

Each local school district shall file an acceptable internet use policy with the state superintendent of public instruction including a component of internet safety for students that is integrated into the district’s instructional program.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title33/T33CH1/SECT33-132/


Who does this protect? Students and Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Idaho. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School

There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relationships in Idaho. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School

Sources include: nasbe.org and childtrends.org