Idaho Leads First Meeting

Boise State University has a created a professional development project focused on strengthening leadership capacity in Idaho’s K-12 schools, and Shoshone was invited to be one of the inaugural members. The Idaho Leads Project will provide us with support and resources to become more effective leaders and create high-performing schools where all students succeed.

Boise State University’s Center for School Improvement & Policy Studies (CSIPS) is administrating the project, which is funded through a $3.85 million grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation. 

Project co-directors are William Parrett, CSIPS director; Roger Quarles, assistant professor of Educational Leadership; Kathleen Budge, associate professor of Educational Leadership; and Lisa Kinnaman, director of National Improvement Support for CSIPS.

The goal of the Idaho Leads Project is twofold: first, to support and enhance the advancement of education improvement and innovation in Idaho, and second, to share in an easily accessible manner best practices to all interested districts and their stakeholders.

The participating districts will convene for four regional network meetings over the next 18 months where they will define priorities, identify successes, and isolate areas where improvements can be made. The first network meeting was held in February and was a wonderful experience. The day-long event included nationally recognized keynote speakers, team-building exercises and job-alike network meetings. The next network meeting will be held in May Sun Valley. 

Each district will be reimbursed for all of expenses, including travel and substitute teacher costs. 

The Idaho Leads team has provided books, technical tools and resources. We also are expecting an on-site visit from Idaho Leads team members to offer us customized professional development. Idaho Leads will also include our best practices on newsletters, websites and blogs.

Each of the 49 participating districts and charter schools has a team of 10 members. Jackie Owens, Norene Webber, Carl Horn, Kelly Chapman, Emily Nelsen, Ginger Koonce, David Hocklander,  Karen Osmin, and Caulen Bryant. 

As a result of our first experience with Idaho leads, the district is looking at ways to increase technology access to our students and families.  We are also looking at ways to use technology to make our education system more efficient and effective.