The Idaho SMART Project
The Idaho SMART Project (Striving to Meet Achievement in Reading Together) is our state’s comprehensive K–3 literacy system of support. Grounded in the Science of Reading and anchored in Idaho’s literacy laws, the Idaho SMART Project reflects our state’s commitment to ensuring that every child reads proficiently by the end of third grade. The Idaho SMART Project fosters an interconnected literacy ecosystem within schools at every level, bringing administrators, instructional coaches, educators, and staff together on a shared learning journey. Together, they build common language, deepen knowledge, and implement evidence-based practices in foundational K–3 literacy skills. By aligning systems, structures, and resources, the Idaho SMART Project builds capacity and ensures sustainability so that every child has the opportunity to become a proficient, independent, and joyful reader.
Highlights
Three SMART Pathways
The Idaho SMART Project is built on three interconnected pathways—Leadership, District/Building Coach, and Educator—that together provide the knowledge, coaching, and support needed for lasting literacy success. Schools that bring these pathways together are working to become a SMART Model School, showing what happens when systems and structures are fully integrated to provide the evidence-based literacy instruction all students need.
- Leadership Pathway – Administrators work with a dedicated Leadership Coach to learn about the Science of Reading and the systems and structures needed to sustain effective early literacy instruction. They also participate in monthly communities of practice with their peers to problem-solve and share strategies that drive student success.
- District/Building Coach Pathway – Instructional coaches strengthen their knowledge of how to coach classroom teachers in evidence-based reading practices. They receive specialized training, access resources, and participate in communities of practice that build their skills and help sustain effective literacy instruction across schools.
- Educator Pathway – Educators and school staff engage in book studies and professional learning while receiving collaborative one-on-one coaching from a SMART Coach. They participate in the full coaching cycle, with ongoing collaboration and support to apply evidence-based instruction in the classroom and ensure students build the foundational skills needed to become proficient, confident readers.
Idaho SMART Application
The Idaho SMART application for the 2026-2027 school year is now available.
C&C Divisions
Contact
Karyn Kilpatrick-Snell, MA
Coordinator
(208) 332-6967
kkilpatrick-snell@sde.idaho.gov