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College of Education Engages with Communities through Faculty Service

(SERVICE) COED At A Glance Copy

Boise State University’s College of Education collaborates and serves the community in a variety of important ways.

  1. The College of Education and the Lee Pesky Learning Center are proud to partner efforts on the first known “Special Education Collaborative” program. The Special Education Collaborative is a one-year, online program that results in both a master’s degree and recommendation for special education or early childhood intervention teacher certification. Students in the Special Education Collaborative work with committed faculty in the Department of Early and Special Education to develop high-quality skills, knowledge and dispositions to ensure success. To learn more, read about the College of Education’s commitment to innovative solutions for the special education teacher shortage.
  2. The College of Education hosts two research centers, one of which recently celebrated 37 years of programs. The Center for Multicultural Education Opportunities (CMEO) aims to increase participation in undergraduate research and service learning projects to improve the educational opportunities of low-income families, students from migrant and seasonal farm worker families, and students who are the first generation in their families to attend college. The Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies guides school improvement efforts, and the provision of technical assistance to participating schools and communities.  Additionally, the Literacy Center engages in design-based research interventions, develops evidence-based practices and actions, in order to prepare for literacy and learning futures, and is currently securing funding.
  3. The College Education faculty are committed to working with local communities and beyond. Three Fulbright scholar awards have been granted: Kerry Rice, professor of Educational Technology; Diane Boothe, director of P-20 Outreach and former dean of the College of Education; and Evelyn Johnson, professor of Special Education and executive director of the Lee Pesky Learning Center. Boise State is recognized as one of the top producers of Fulbright scholars by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
  4. The College of Education includes a variety of research projects and activities, including four research institutes and initiatives. The Initiative for Developing Mathematical Thinking is committed to enhancing student achievement in mathematics by offering professional development for elementary and middle-school teachers. The Initiative for Healthy Schools focuses on strategies to help schools implement programs, practices, and policies to keep P-12 students healthy and safe while in school. The Institute for the Study of Addiction provides coordinated and complementary information dissemination, training and professional development opportunities, and research and program evaluation services for addictions prevention and treatment. The Idaho Initiative for Play Therapy Studies is the first play therapy center in Idaho, and serves those who counsel clients, particularly children, in schools, public agencies, private practices and other places.
  5. The College of Education is comprised of five academic departments including 47 tenure or tenure-track faculty: