The Courier
NEWS
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
August 21, 2024
Vol 48 Num 34
Fair Season Coming to an End Graduates Can Use ISAT Scores
This year Gooding County Fair Parade was led by Grand Marshal John "Paul" Koonce. At 90 plus years, Paul has been an important part of the Gooding community for decades. After serving in the Korean War, Paul met his wife June in 1971. Together they ended up finding a home in Gooding, Idaho, where they put their talents to good work provided music for all kinds of celebrations. Paul also served as the Legion Commander for Post 30 and was an active member of the Elks Lodge #1745. These days, he continues to serve the community at the Gooding Senior Center by making sure his fellow senior citizens have what they need - food, walkers, and friendship.
For College Admissions
For our some of our 4-H/FFA youth, the season is not quite over and they will be showing at the Twin Falls County Fair in Filer. Interview judging will take place this Saturday and on Tuesday afternoon (August 27), the events begin with the poultry show, followed by horse, rabbits, goats, steers, and the Longhorn show on Wednesday, August 28th. Check out the Twin Falls Fair webpage for more dates and times. (bottom photo from Leah Scott)
New Rules for Bear Hunters
Idaho Fish and Game Commission recently approved temporary rules for black bear hunting in Idaho that include new requirements for bear baiting and a mandatory bear identification course for hunters. Starting September 1st, any person placing bait to hunt black bears, hunting at a bait site, or witnessing the use of a bait site by a grizzly bear, must immediately report the presence of a grizzly bear at a bait station... more on page 7...
The 2024/25 academic year is starting and for the first time, the Idaho State Board of Education’s Idaho Campus Choice program will incorporate Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) results as part of the methodology used to determine whether graduating high school seniors are eligible for guaranteed acceptance to four, six or all eight of Idaho’s public higher education institutions. Idaho Campus Choice, formerly known as Direct Admissions, guarantees acceptance to Idaho’s public institutions based on grade point average (GPA) or 11th grade English Language Arts (ELA) and Math ISAT scores. The policy changes means students who score either proficient or advanced (Level 3 or 4) on their 11th grade ELA and Math ISAT tests, or who earn a GPA of 3.0 or above, will soon receive a letter accepting them to all eight of Idaho’s public institutions. Using ISAT scores gives another pathway for students to be included in the Idaho Campus Choice program. Research shows that 12 percent of Level 3 ELA and Math ISAT students had GPAs lower than 3.0. It also shows that 65 percent of Level 3 ELA and Math ISAT students went on to enroll in college immediately after high school and 76 percent returned to college within one year. “Students who score Level 3 and 4 on the ISAT in ELA and Math are proficient, and we want to expand their opportunities for postsecondary success,” State Board President Dr. Linda Clark said. In late September, high school seniors will receive their Idaho Campus Choice letters informing them if they have been guaranteed acceptance to either to four, six, or all eight of Idaho’s public higher education institutions. Their next step is to use Apply Idaho to select the institution(s) where they would like to enroll. Visit the Idaho Campus Choice website for more information about the program.