Cindy D. Jones is an Assistant Professor of Literacy Education. She received her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Utah State University in 2008 with an emphasis on reading and writing. She received her Master of Education in 1990 from Utah State University and her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Southern Utah State University in 1984. Cindy’s license areas of concentration include Elementary Education, Middle School Education, and Administrative/Supervisory. She holds endorsements in Reading Level I, Reading Level II, English, and Gifted and Talented. Cindy has worked in elementary and middle school classrooms for over 20 years. Dr. Jones’ research interests include the reading-writing relationship, literacy development, and teacher knowledge in literacy.


USU Courses Taught

ElEd 3100, Classroom Reading Instruction

ElEd 6230, Literacy Learning in Early Childhood

ElEd/SecEd 6350, Reading Assessment and Intervention

ElEd 6380, Improvement of Language Arts Instruction

ElEd/SecEd 6390, Teaching with Trade Books in the Elementary and Middle Level Classroom

ElEd/SecEd6360/ 7360, Research in Literacy


Research & Evaluation

Evidence-Based Efficacy Study (2007-2008). McDougal Littell. Project Coordinator, EndVision. Year-long mixed methods experimental study involving 72 secondary teachers in 9 states to evaluate impact of literature curriculum program.

Reading First Improvement Evaluation (2007-2008). EndVision. Longitudinal mixed methods evaluation project with Bureau of Indian Education, primary-grades.

First Year Professionals Initiative Program (2007). Oberkotter Foundation. EndVision. Qualitative study to analyze effect of internship program at 32 auditory-oral schools in the United States.
Research Assistant (2005-2008). IES Primary Grade Teacher Quality Research Grant. EEJ Early Childhood Center, Utah State University.


Refereed Publications

Reutzel, D. R., Jones, C. D., Fawson, P. C., & Smith, J. A. (Fall 2008, in press). Scaffolded Silent Reading (ScSR): An Alternative to Guided Oral Repeated Reading that Works! The Reading Teacher.

Presentations—National

Reutzel, D. R., Dole, J. A., Sudweeks, R., Fawson, P. C., Read, S., Smith, J. A., Donaldson, R., Jones, C. D., Herman, K., and Drits, D. (2007, April). Developing the Literacy Instruction Knowledge Scales (LIKS): A comprehensive assessment of primary grade teachers’ knowledge of reading and writing instruction. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.

Presentations—State and Local

Jones, C. D. (2008, December). Strengthening Relationships with Young Children and Families Through Picture Books and Conversation. Presentation for Utah Association for the Education of Young Children, Logan, UT.

Jones, C. D. (2008, March). Writing Instruction in the Primary Grades. Seminar for Logan School District, Logan, UT.

Jones, C. D. (2007, November). Interactive Writing and Journaling. Seminar for Iron County School District, Cedar City, UT.

Jones, C. D. (2007, October). Interactive Writing and Journaling. Seminar for Nebo School District, Springville, UT.

Jones, C. D. (2007, October). Interactive Writing and Journaling. Seminar for Granite School District, Salt Lake City, UT.

Jones, C. D. (2006, November). Creating Young Writers: Incorporating the Six Traits in Primary Grade Writing Instruction. Workshop for Logan School District, Logan, UT.

Jones, C. D., & DeBoer, B. (2006, June). “Children, Conversation, and Comprehension.” Session presented at the Northern Utah Reading Summit, Logan, UT.