A one-room school with three third graders. A teacher living in an RV to reach them through winter. A powerhouse high school on the other side of the state. That’s Idaho’s daily reality—and the backdrop for a quiet surge in K-12 results that’s changing how students read, train, and launch into work.

We sit down with Superintendent Debbie Critchfield to unpack the moves behind the momentum. She explains how returning to the science of reading—putting phonics, aligned curriculum, and real coaching at the center—turned “back to basics” into real gains, including a sharp rise in K-3 reading proficiency. We dig into why third grade is a decisive milestone, how smaller early-grade classes and better assessment practice support growth, and what it takes for leaders to build the conditions teachers need to thrive without shouldering the blame for every external factor.

The conversation then shifts to career technical education and the dignity of skilled work. Debbie walks through Launch and the Idaho Career Ready Students grant, which have brought welding, diesel, construction, health occupations, cybersecurity, forestry, machining, and more to life across the state—programs tied directly to local industry needs. We explore why Idaho ranks at the top for CTE participation and return on investment, and how these pathways keep students rooted in their communities with options that actually pay.

We also take on the hard stuff: the housing crunch that drives a teacher distribution problem, not a teacher shortage; the politics and potential of consolidation and shared services; and what it looks like to scale excellence by matchmaking similar districts to replicate proven strategies. Through it all, we keep the focus where it belongs—on the teachers who change lives and the students who deserve a system designed for their success.

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