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Marilyn Howard
Marilyn Howard
Marilyn Howard
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Marilyn Lenore Howard (April 18, 1939 – July 13, 2020) was an American politician from Idaho who served as the 23rd Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1999 to 2007. She is the last Democrat to hold or be elected to statewide office in Idaho.

Key Information

Early life

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Marilyn Lenore Howard was born on April 18, 1939, in Mackay, Idaho.[2][3] In 1960, Howard graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Idaho and later with a master's degree in 1966. In 1986, she graduated with a doctorate in education from Brigham Young University. She completed postgraduate work at Idaho State University.[4][5]

Career

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Education

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In 1960, Howard became a history and language arts teacher in Lewiston, Idaho. In 1988, she became the principal of the West Park Elementary School in Moscow, Idaho. In 1992, she became the supervisor of the Moscow school district's developmental preschool.[4]

Superintendent of Public Instruction

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In 1997, Howard announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction and defeated Wally Hedrick in the Democratic primary.[6][7] In the general election she defeated incumbent Republican Superintendent Anne C. Fox.[8] On January 29, 2002, she announced that she would seek reelection and won in the general election after defeating Republican nominee Tom Luna.[9][10]

1998 State Superintendent Election, which is when she was elected.

In 2000, Howard was listed as the 26th most influential Idahoan.[11] In 2002, she was listed as the 12th most influential Idahoan.[12] During her tenure she and Governor Dirk Kempthorne attempted to create a position in the state Department of Education to oversee the education of Native American students, but the Idaho Legislature voted against it. However, the position would be later created by Tom Luna in 2007.[13] In December 2006, she was criticized for distributing $120,098 in merit bonuses to 135 of her employees.[14]

On October 25, 2005, Howard announced that she would not seek reelection.[15] When she left office in 2007 she was the last member of the Democratic Party to hold statewide office in Idaho.[4]

Later life

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In 2006, Howard underwent surgery for breast cancer.[16] On July 13, 2020, Howard died in Eagle, Idaho, at age 81.[4]

Electoral history

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1998 Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction election[7][8]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marilyn Howard 14,150 50.67%
Democratic Wally Hedrick 13,778 49.33%
Total votes 27,928 100.00%
General election
Democratic Marilyn Howard 202,978 54.13%
Republican Anne C. Fox (incumbent) 171,976 45.87%
Total votes 374,954 100.00%
2002 Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction election[17][10]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marilyn Howard (incumbent) 36,813 100.00%
Total votes 36,813 100.00%
General election
Democratic Marilyn Howard (incumbent) 211,566 52.17%
Republican Tom Luna 184,018 45.37%
Libertarian Robbi L. Kier 9,984 2.46%
Total votes 405,568 100.00%

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Marilyn Howard

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from Grokipedia
Marilyn Howard was an American educator and politician known for serving as Idaho's 23rd State Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1999 to 2007, making her the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Idaho. She was a lifelong advocate for literacy and early childhood reading, implementing the Idaho Reading Indicator as an early diagnostic tool for K-3 students and launching the "Dinner and a Book" initiative to encourage daily family reading and discussion. Howard also oversaw Idaho's implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act and secured significant funding for teacher training through programs like Reading First. Born April 18, 1939, in Pocatello, Idaho, and raised on a family farm near Mackay, Howard earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Idaho and a doctorate in education from Brigham Young University. She began her career teaching junior high and elementary students in Idaho and Washington starting in 1960, later serving as principal of West Park Elementary School in Moscow from 1988 to 1998 and as an adjunct faculty member in reading and language arts at Idaho universities. Her work emphasized research-based techniques for literacy and support for teachers, earning praise from colleagues and successors for her dedication to students and public education. Howard died on July 13, 2020, at her home in Eagle, Idaho, after an extended illness. Her legacy endures through her contributions to educational policy and her role as a trailblazer for Democrats in Idaho politics.

Early life

Birth and family background

Marilyn Howard was born on April 18, 1939, in Pocatello, Idaho, and was raised on a family farm near Mackay.

Career

Marilyn Howard began her teaching career in 1960 after earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho, teaching junior high history and language arts in Lewiston, Idaho. She went on to teach elementary and secondary students in districts across Idaho (including Blackfoot and Arco) and Washington (Kahlotus and Royal City). While teaching in Arco, she wrote successful grants that funded a senior center, added school aides, and raised district reading scores. In 1988, she was hired as principal of West Park Elementary School in Moscow, Idaho, serving in that role until 1998. In 1992, she also became supervisor of the Moscow School District's developmental preschool. Howard developed expertise in early literacy and served as state coordinator and president of the International Reading Association, as well as on its National Research and Studies Committee. She was an adjunct faculty member at Idaho State University and the University of Idaho, teaching reading and language arts, and authored research and publications on techniques to help students read proficiently. She also led accreditation teams for Idaho teacher education programs. In 1997, she entered politics, announcing her candidacy for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction as a Democrat. She won the 1998 election and served in that role from 1999 to 2007. No notable casting credits exist for Marilyn Howard, the educator and former Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction. This section pertains to a different individual and has been cleared of incorrect content.

Personal life

Marilyn Howard was born Marilyn Lenore Pritchett on April 18, 1939, to Carol and Jim Pritchett in Pocatello, Idaho. She married Bob Howard in 1960, and they had two daughters, Laura and Linda. The couple later divorced but remained friends until Bob's death in 2019. Their daughter Linda Howard King was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2002 and predeceased her mother. Howard is survived by her daughter Laura Howard Reardon, sons-in-law John Reardon and Brent King, and grandsons Jesse King and Ryan King.

Death

Later years and passing

After retiring as State Superintendent in 2007, Marilyn Howard worked with the U.S. Department of Education on several programs. She also served on various boards, including Garden City’s Learning Lab and the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights in Boise. Howard died on July 13, 2020, at her home in Eagle, Idaho, after an extended illness. She was 81. She was survived by her daughter Laura Howard Reardon, sons-in-law John Reardon and Brent King, grandsons Jesse King and Ryan King, and other relatives. Donations in her memory were requested for the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights.
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