2025 Forums with Elected Officials Featuring Debbie Critchfield

Building Idaho’s Future: Insights from Superintendent Debbie Critchfield
This morning, the Boise Metro Chamber welcomed Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield for our 2025 Forums with Elected Officials event. This engaging event, presented by Meta Kuna Data Center, provided a comprehensive overview of the state’s evolving education landscape. Superintendent Critchfield shared valuable insights on local control, career and technical education, and the importance of literacy, reinforcing the critical role education plays in Idaho’s workforce development.

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Career and Technical Education: A Pathway to SuccessA key focus of Critchfield’s address was Idaho’s investment in career and technical education (CTE) programs, ensuring students have access to hands-on learning opportunities that align with local industry needs. She highlighted a $65 million state investment in CTE grants, noting an overwhelming demand that far exceeded funding availability. “We had $138 million worth of requests,” she shared, demonstrating a significant gap between available resources and school districts’ needs.
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Critchfield also shared real-world examples of how CTE programs are bridging the workforce gap. In Northern Idaho, for instance, a forestry education initiative is preparing students for careers in the logging and timber industry—an essential sector facing labor shortages. Similarly, an agriculture technology program in Shelley is training students in advanced farming techniques, and a meat processing program in New Plymouth is addressing the decline of trained butchers. These initiatives not only equip students with practical skills but also strengthen Idaho’s workforce by retaining talent within local communities.

The Importance of Early LiteracyCritchfield stressed that literacy is a cornerstone of student success, particularly the shift from learning to read in early grades to reading to learn beyond third grade. The state is returning to prioritizing phonics-based instruction, recognizing it as the most effective method for long-term reading comprehension. She also noted challenges in kindergarten readiness, with more children entering school without foundational skills such as letter and number recognition. Addressing these early learning gaps is a critical step in ensuring long-term academic achievement.

Technology and Education ReformThe Superintendent also discussed the evolving role of technology in classrooms. She noted the importance of digital literacy, including cybersecurity awareness and critical thinking skills when using AI tools like ChatGPT. Additionally, she emphasized the state’s efforts to limit classroom distractions by restricting phone use, a policy already showing positive results. Students have reported being more engaged, with one noting, “We were first devastated when we heard this, but then we were relieved. Thank you for now allowing us an opportunity to turn around and see who’s sitting behind us in class.”

Looking Ahead: The Regional Leadership ConferenceToday’s discussion on education and workforce readiness sets the stage for the Regional Leadership Conference: Education and Workforce Development, taking place April 27-29, 2025. This upcoming event will continue the conversation, bringing together industry leaders, educators, and policymakers to explore strategies for strengthening Idaho’s workforce pipeline. Topics will include innovative training programs, workforce retention strategies, and the role of education in economic development.
As Superintendent Critchfield noted, “We don’t educate students just so they can take a test. We educate them so they can be contributing citizens who can take care of themselves, think critically, and succeed in their communities.” Her vision for Idaho’s education system is clear: one that is student-centered, workforce-driven, and rooted in local leadership.
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The Boise Metro Chamber thanks all attendees, our presenting sponsor Meta, cosponsors Bluum and Amalgamated Sugar Company, table sponsors, elected officials, members and attendees who participated in today’s event. We look forward to continuing these important discussions in April!