BOISE – The Idaho Career Ready Students (ICRS) Council voted last week to reconsider 34 proposals from 26 districts and charters that had been recommended for funding but were not awarded due to a lack of program funds. The council is in a position to reconsider the proposals following an additional $20 million appropriation from the Idaho legislature during the 2024 session.
Idaho Career Ready Students grants are designed to reduce reliance on federal funds for Career Technical Education (CTE) programming. To date, the council has awarded nearly $44 million to help fund 58 total proposals. Funding determinations are made by the 11-member council based on factors such as partnership with local industry, sustainability of the proposed program and responsiveness to community and statewide workforce needs.
“I’m hoping districts and charters that had their ICRS applications recommended for funding but missed out on an award will consider taking advantage of this opportunity,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “We’ve seen amazing things happen with ICRS projects throughout the state and we absolutely want to maximize the number of students and communities benefiting from this program.”
Eligible local education agencies (LEAs) were notified last week and must submit their request to ICRS@sde.idaho.gov by July 15 to have their proposals reconsidered. LEAs that wish to make changes to their proposals should submit their edited applications and supporting documentation to the same email address by 6 p.m. MST on July 26.
Priority will be given to proposals from LEAs that:
- Have not received an ICRS grant;
- Have continued to secure funding or identify additional revenue sources for the proposed project;
- Can demonstrate increased industry support for the project through additional financial or in-kind donations; and
- Are last-dollar requests.
Eligible LEAs will not be required to start their application over if they meet the posted deadlines. This will be the final time these proposals will be considered without completing a new application.
Applications will be considered at the next Idaho Career Ready Students Council meeting on August 13 and LEAs will be notified of decisions soon after. Questions can be directed to ICRS@sde.idaho.gov. Please note that late and incomplete proposals will not be accepted.