Blue Turf Thinkers: The College of Education, leading in literacy research and partnerships to support Idaho’s students

At each Boise State home football game, the "Blue Turf Thinkers" series honors outstanding groups and initiatives on the world-renowned Blue Turf.

The Oct. 18 game honored the College of Education's commitment to improving dyslexia support and literacy research. Along with College of Education faculty, partners Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield, and Boise School District Literacy Supervisor Faith Reeder, also took to the Blue.

A commitment to supporting literacy in Idaho

Governor Brad Little and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield have prioritized literacy and dyslexia screening for K-12 students. The College of Education has responded by developing programs that support administrators, teachers and students to achieve successful outcomes in reading, writing and comprehensive literacy. Using proven research, technology and expertise, the college has become a trusted community partner, facilitating professional development for educators to bolster student achievement.

Partnerships to directly impact student learning

In spring 2025, College of Education faculty established a partnership with Riverstone International School using Community Engaged Public Scholarship Initiative, or CEPSI, funding. The partnership worked to strengthen visual literacy instruction in elementary science classrooms. At Boise State faculty-led workshops, teachers learned strategies to help students create graphics to enhance their comprehension of scientific texts. In addition, Boise State faculty worked together with Riverstone teachers to design and implement lesson plans to scaffold student understanding. They used eye-tracking devices to measure student learning outcomes, which showed improved comprehension.

Another project, funded through a three-year Idaho Workforce Development Council grant, supports College of Education faculty to conduct professional development with teachers from Middleton, Caldwell, and West Ada school districts. The project aims to build AI literacy by introducing teachers to AI tools they can use to streamline instruction and assist with curriculum planning, while incorporating ethics and responsibility. Project workshops also aim to develop classroom and district policy around AI usage for literacy, and to demonstrate how to coach students through collaborative AI-centered projects. These workshops directly empower teachers to support Idaho's future STEM workforce by educating K-12 students using rapidly developing technologies.

Alum's fellowship supports faculty expertise in dyslexia

Boise State alum Marybeth Flachbart (Ed.D., curriculum and instruction, 2009) funded a fellowship in spring 2024 for College of Education faculty pursuing research in dyslexia, reading and literacy. The fellowship's first recipient Carolyn Cort, clinical assistant professor in teaching, learning and community engagement, used the funds to complete a graduate certification in dyslexia from the University of Florida.

Cort, along with fellow College of Education faculty, was instrumental in developing training for Idaho teachers after the state legislature passed a law in 2022 mandating public schools to screen students for dyslexia. Cort also recently led a summit that brought nationally recognized literacy scholars to campus to share their expertise and collaborate with local school administrators, continuing Boise State's efforts to develop effective literacy practices and dyslexia support for Idaho's educators.

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