The SDE partners with Idaho LEAs and schools throughout the state to support school staff to improve reading for all students, including children who struggle with reading and students with disabilities. Cultivating Readers supports schools by offering training, coaching and follow-up supports over four years with a focus on the following:

• Improving instructional staffs’ knowledge of the Science of Reading and their ability to use explicit instruction strategies when teaching reading
• Building schools’ capacity to support their own internal reading coach
• Supporting schools to strengthen their reading systems
• Improving parent and family engagement around reading

Cultivating Readers is for principals, special education directors, general and special education instructional staff, reading coaches, and parents and families who teach reading to students in kindergarten through third grade.

Small and rural LEAs and schools, including charter schools, are encouraged to participate. Often, small LEA/school staff play multiple roles in the project (e.g., special education director or principal is also the coach). Cultivating Readers works with each school to determine their needs and to differentiate supports.

Review the Cultivating Readers Implementation Guide 2022-2023 for more information.

Applications to participate beginning in the 2023-24 school year are open from January 5th through March 31st!

Application instructions for LEAS not currently participating.
Application instructions for LEAS currently participating that want to add schools