Idaho Building Capacity Project (IBC)

The IBC project partners with school and district leadership to create collaborative, data-driven and sustainable systems that promote student achievement. Guided by a mission to build long-term capacity for improvement, IBC focuses on coaching schools for educational excellence while upholding values of integrity, trust, servant leadership and collaboration.

Sponsored by the Idaho State Department of Education, IBC supports continuous improvement through leadership development, effective instructional practices and strong community engagement.

The five foundations of IBC

IBC centers on five foundations that drive long-term school improvement:

• Leadership
  • Developing leaders who can build capacity, inspire collaboration and guide systemic change.
• Safe and supportive learning environment
  • Fostering school cultures where students and educators thrive through trust, safety and belonging.
• Curriculum, instruction and assessment
  • Improving teaching and learning with high-quality curriculum, effective instruction and data-informed assessment.
• Focused professional development
  • Delivering ongoing, targeted professional learning that equips educators with the tools for sustainable growth.
• Family and community engagement
  • Strengthening partnerships with families and communities to positively impact student learning and success.

Goals of the Idaho Building Capacity Project

• Increase student achievement
• Support continuous school improvement
• Build leadership capacity
• Ensure sustainability of effective practices

How IBC supports schools

IBC services are designed and delivered in partnership with University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University. Together, these institutions provide expert guidance and capacity-building support to schools statewide.

Capacity Builders: Coaching for sustainable change

Capacity Builders are distinguished educators and leaders who:

• Partner with schools and districts to design customized improvement plans
• Use coaching strategies that encourage self-directed learning for educators
• Guide root cause analysis and precision goal setting using student data
• Model research-based leadership and instructional practices
• Facilitate lasting, systemic improvement in schools

About Regions 1 and 2 

University of Idaho in Coeur d’Alene houses the Idaho Building Capacity Project in Regions 1 and 2. The project is directed by Elizabeth Wargo and Regional Coordinator Libbi Barrett, supported by leadership specialists known as Capacity Builders. The project provides professional support to build capacity among K-12 leaders in Regions 1 and 2.