Idaho is a western state, admitted to U.S. statehood in 1890. Idaho has traditionally had a largely rural population, served by one-room common schools. Growth and development led to the emergence of a modern educational system and facilities. It had a 2010 population of 1,567,582. Idaho maintains state public education standards by grade level for a variety of core content areas. Idaho has adopted the national Common Core State Standards for mathematics and English language arts, and will introduce them into the classroom during the 2013 to 2014 school year.

The recent economic crisis and legislative budget cuts to education funding are among the most daunting challenges facing Idaho education. Congress established the Idaho Territory in 1863, and Idaho became the 43rd state in 1890. Idaho's ...