08/07/2026
*MEET THE TEAM SUPPORTING IDAHO EDUCATION*
The Idaho Department of Education's School Improvement and Support Coordinator is Patty Dalrymple. She joined the department in 2023 after a storied 26-year career in the classroom and another decade of service as the Federal Programs Director for the Bruneau-Grand View Joint School District #365. Patty earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Montana State University, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction at Boise State University and an English as a new language certificate. In 1999 she became a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certified teacher.
Patty works with Idaho public and charter schools that need improvement, as determined by five academic and one school-quality factors. Currently, there are 39 Idaho schools that require comprehensive school support (CSI) and 22 high schools whose graduation rates fell short of the state-set threshold. Patty is helping these schools navigate and achieve benchmarks outlined in a three-year improvement process. In addition, she supports 35 Idaho local education agencies with one-year targeted school improvement plans. To deliver the best support possible, Patty helps schools understand expectations, offers consultations, provides professional development, visits schools, answers questions, and coordinates with the Idaho Building Capacity Project.
At seven, Patty knew she wanted to be an elementary school teacher. She was always the teacher when she and her contemporaries played school. She has been involved with the Camp Fire Girls and Boys for almost as long. Be it in a troop, a classroom, a district office, or here at the Idaho Department of Education, her patience and belief in amelioration remain constant.
"School improvement isn't a 'gotcha,'" said Patty, "it's an opportunity to get help and continue to get better."
