The State Board also approved the Idaho Dyslexia Handbook for use in Idaho public schools. The handbook, created by a workgroup of educators, dyslexia experts and parents of dyslexic students, will help educators identify characteristics of dyslexia in young students and provide them proper educational supports.

“The workgroup that put this together was outstanding,” Board Member Dr. Linda Clark said. “We worked very hard to make sure we had the right specialists, we had representatives of Coding Dyslexia Idaho and our universities involved. It really was a stellar group and I think this will be an excellent resource.”

The Board will work with the State Department of Education to distribute copies of the handbook to public schools.

In another action, the Board gave final approval to a policy change that will assist and guide Idaho’s higher education institutions in the development of microcredentials and specialized certificates that students can earn outside of traditional career technical certificates. These new credentials and certificates are designed to create more career pathways for students and to expand workforce training opportunities.