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Bluum is a nonprofit organization helping Idaho become a national model for how to maximize learning outcomes for children and families.

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A student stands at the podium at the Boise Capital to discuss National School Choice Week

Innovation Spotlight: Matthew Murphy

Interview with Matthew Murphy, 9th Grader at Compass Public Charter School, Meridian. In conjunction with National School Choice Week we interviewed our student rally speakers about what choice means to them and the effect it has had on their education.

Students at the Nampa School District play educational games on computers

Charter Schools Should Not Have All the Fun

One size does not fit all. Not clothes, not cars, not diets, not housing and, importantly, not schooling. Traditional, or what I will call “legacy” schools and school districts have focused on standardization, uniformity and predictability. Parents and state governments demanded it. It served our nation well for over 100 years. Times have changed, and so must we.

Students wear their graduation cap and gown for high school graduation

Defining Quality Deserves More Thought Than A Graduation Rate

Idaho’s State Board of Education President Don Soltman shared some data on graduation rates that triggered angst among educators and policy leaders. Recent figures from the 2013-14 school year showed Idaho ranked 41st in the nation with a graduation rate of just 77.3 percent. Stoltman presented this information along with especially troubling details that virtual charter schools and alternative schools graduated a drastically lower percentage, 20 percent and 36 percent respectively.

Students at Gem Prep work on their laptops

Gem Prep Working on Nampa Location

Gem Prep Charter School is getting ready to open its doors in Nampa this August. The Nampa school district in October unanimously approved the school to be under advisory of the district. Since then, Gem Prep has worked to secure a building and solidify a student population. The building, though, is still being determined.