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Alexis welcomes Greg Wilson, Chief of Staff for Superintendent Debbie Critchfield of the Idaho Department of Education, to discuss the proposed changes to high school graduation requirements in Idaho. The conversation revolves around the process and rationale for these updates, which include replacing the speech credit with a digital literacy requirement. Greg outlines the procedure for implementing the changes, starting with a proposal from the Department of Education, approval by the State Board of Education, and final authorization from the Legislature, making this the first overhaul of graduation criteria in over a decade. The discussion touches on the four major proposals, including the addition of digital literacy, updates to the senior project, a guide for aligning electives with future goals, and ensuring students graduate with “currency” for their futures. Greg addresses questions about the quality and rigor of the new digital literacy course, concerns about the loss of essential interpersonal skills, and potential impacts on speech teachers. Throughout the episode, the balancing act between modernizing education and preserving critical soft skills takes center stage. These changes, if approved, are expected to be fully implemented for the graduating class of 2028.

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alexis@ourkidsourschools.com

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https://ourkidsourschools.com/

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Join Alexis as she sits down with Dr. Megan Smith, Associate Professor in the School of Public and Population Health at Boise State University and Executive Director for Communities for Youth. Together, they explore the mission of Communities for Youth, which is to empower communities in promoting youth well-being. By taking an upstream prevention approach to youth mental health, Communities for Youth collaborates with communities to identify and address risk and protective factors.

In this episode, they delve into the impactful work Megan is doing across the state to address youth mental health. They discuss combating misconceptions, empowering school community leaders to make data-driven decisions based on locally received data, and equipping school community adults with the tools to create upstream prevention strategies. Megan's creation of a behavior youth assessment survey, now offered by the state Department of Education for FREE to all school districts, is a wonderful resource for schools.

This enriching conversation is packed with valuable insights for parents, school leaders, community members, and teenagers alike. To learn more and connect with Megan, visit:
https://www.communitiesforyouth.org/

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
alexis@ourkidsourschools.com

Find great resources and info on school communities:
https://ourkidsourschools.com/

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In this episode, Alexis sits down with Jackie Yarbrough, Senior Program Officer of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, to explore how this unique foundation is transforming school communities across Idaho. While it may not seem typical for a health insurance company foundation to be involved in education, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation is deeply committed to improving the health and wellbeing of local communities through strategic investments. Jackie, a passionate native Idahoan, shares how the foundation supports Community School models and provides vital grants to numerous districts and nonprofits throughout the state. Tune in to learn more about this innovative approach to community building and hear firsthand the impact these investments are having on school communities in Idaho.

Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/

Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
alexis@ourkidsourschools.com

Find great resources and info on school communities:
https://ourkidsourschools.com/