FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2026
www.sde.idaho.gov
Media Contact:
Maggie T. Reynolds
Public Information Officer
208-332-6976
[email protected]
(BOISE) – Strength-based school improvement organization Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) is developing a presence in Idaho classrooms thanks to support from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, and the Idaho Department of Education.
The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation has donated a total of $700,000 to bring BARR to three schools throughout the program’s three-year implementation period. The funding will cover coaching, data analysis, and ongoing meetings designed to address the individual development of every student. Idaho’s participation is also supported by a two-time donation of $100,000 each from Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.
The BARR model of school improvement is built around two essential pillars: relationships and data. It works by organizing teachers into multidisciplinary teams who share a specific group of students, creating a small school feeling and functionality inside of the wider school community. Educators use simple, structured BARR data tools to track academic performance, attendance, and behavioral needs daily, giving schools the power to catch, track, and address problems precisely and proactively. The program also prioritizes parent and family engagement by encouraging teachers to communicate via phone calls, notes home, and other methods of staying in close contact, strengthening the vital relationship between parents and educators.
Nationwide, schools implementing the BARR model have seen improvements in test scores, reduced chronic absenteeism, increased teacher retention, and improved overall student well-being. The model is currently being used in 27 states nationwide and in Washington D.C. and is backed by two decades of evidence-based research. It was through the outcomes seen in other states that Superintendent Critchfield became acquainted with the program.
“When we were looking at the nationwide impact that the BARR model has had on students, I was eager to explore what it could mean here in Idaho,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “When it came time to find a way to fund this opportunity, the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation said, ‘we’d love to get behind this work.’ That we also received support from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation was so meaningful, especially given this year’s budget challenges.”
In Idaho, Jenifer Middle School in the Lewiston School District, Meridian Middle School in the West Ada School District, and Taylorview Middle School in the Idaho Falls School District began implementing the BARR model in Spring of 2026. Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy is also launching the BARR model this fall.
“We believe strong academic outcomes start with supporting the whole student,” said Roger Quarles, Executive Director of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation. “BARR is a proven, research-based approach that aligns with our commitment to investing in opportunities that help Idaho students reach their full potential.”
“This model helps to ensure that every student’s talents are recognized and supports strong relationships between schools, families, and communities. I am thankful to be partnering with the Idaho Department of Education to support schools in the state,” said Angela Jerabek, founder and executive director of the BARR Center.
After three years of implementation and coaching from BARR, schools will have developed skills, routines, and collaborative structure needed to sustain the work independently. The BARR model’s emphasis on strengthening systems, relationships, and data practices that are already in place within a school makes ongoing sustainability possible; by the end of the partnership, these practices are embedded in the school’s daily operations and continue without the need for ongoing external support.
To learn more about BARR, its track record, and what it offers Idaho classrooms, go to https://barrcenter.org/proven-results/.
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About Idaho Department of Education
The Idaho Department of Education is the state agency that supports and strengthens K-12 education in Idaho. By advocating for Idaho’s families, educators, and schools with funding and educational policy alignment, we support and lead academic achievement to ensure every student is prepared with the skills and job readiness to succeed.
