What’s really happening in Idaho’s education system—and where is it headed next?

In this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and Roger Quarles sit down with Jennifer Swindell, CEO, founder, and editor of Idaho Education News, to unpack the realities behind education across the state.

From her early career as a journalist and the first female sports editor in the country to building Idaho’s leading education news platform, Jennifer brings a unique perspective on the intersection of education, policy, leadership, and data.

Together, they dive into the most important topics shaping Idaho education today, including the rise of school choice, the role of parent involvement, and why leadership is often the biggest driver of success—not funding alone. The conversation also explores challenges facing rural school districts, the growing importance of data and accountability, and how communities can better engage with their local schools.

With over two million annual page views, Idaho Education News has become a trusted resource for parents, educators, and leaders looking to better understand the system and make informed decisions.

If you care about the future of Idaho, education, or your community—this is a conversation worth listening to.

Episode Highlights

• Jennifer Swindell’s journey from journalism to education leadership
• The origin and mission of Idaho Education News
• School choice and its impact across Idaho
• Leadership vs. funding in driving school performance
• Rural education challenges and community identity
• Why parents play a bigger role than ever before
• Using data to improve outcomes and accountability

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Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield returns to Ever Onward with Tommy Ahlquist and Roger Quarles for a candid conversation on what’s really happening inside Idaho schools.

From record K–3 reading gains to ongoing struggles in middle school math, this episode breaks down where Idaho education is improving—and where it’s still falling short.

They dive into:

• Why students often fall behind after 6th grade
• How career technical education (CTE) is making school more relevant
• The real debate around school choice and taxpayer accountability
• Why funding isn’t the main issue—how it’s used is
• The leadership gap in education and why it matters more than ever
• The urgency behind every graduating class

Debbie also shares what drives her resilience, how she approaches decision-making at the state level, and why developing strong leaders—not just administrators—is critical for the future of education.

With over 20,000 students graduating each year in Idaho, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

This is a grounded, honest look at the challenges, progress, and future of education in Idaho.

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What does it really take to transform education in Idaho?

On this episode of Ever Onward, Tommy Ahlquist and co-host Roger Quarles sit down with Terry Ryan, CEO of BLUUM, Idaho’s leading nonprofit incubator for high-performing public charter schools. Terry shares his remarkable journey—from Illinois to Poland to Idaho—and how that path led him to help launch and expand dozens of schools serving students and families across the state.

This conversation explores the future of school choice, why traditional systems can struggle to adapt, and how Idaho has become a model for innovation in public charter education. Terry also breaks down how BLUUM identifies talent, supports school founders, funds growth, and helps create schools built around the unique needs of each community.

From rural school preservation to career-technical education, online learning, classical academies, and high-impact charter models like Elevate Academy and Gem Prep, this episode is a deep look at what’s possible when mission, leadership, and community come together.

In this episode:
• Terry Ryan’s powerful personal journey into education and policy
• Why school choice and mission-driven schools matter
• How BLUUM has helped launch and expand schools across Idaho
• What makes great charter schools work
• The role of talent, leadership, and long-term investment in education
• Why Idaho is becoming a national model for public charter innovation

If you care about the future of education, leadership, and creating opportunity for the next generation, this is a conversation worth hearing.

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