Northeast Regional Readiness Center
Welcome to the NRRC: Our mission is to provide access to quality professional development to all sectors of the education delivery system and stimulate cross agency collaboration.
Upcoming Events
In partnership with the DESE, the NRRC will host regional WIDA Trainings throughout April and May, 2013. Locations include Chelmsford and Wenham. Please check back for information regarding registration or check with your DESE contact.
July 15 through 18, 2013: National Park Professional Development Opportunity. Salem Maritime Museum. FREE. Registration required visit: http://www.nps.gov/sama/forteachers/development/teacherworkshops.htm for more information. July 11 and 12: Summer Institutes on Curriculum Alignment and Mapping Project (Hosted by Gordon College and NRRC):
ESE, in partnership with the Governor's Readiness Centers, has developed a new Curriculum Alignment and Mapping Project (CAMP) presenting curriculum mapping as a core tool for communicating about and aligning curriculum and instruction across grades, subject areas, and schools. Registration for the summer CAMP Institutes is now open. These two-day sessions will provide substantial time for district teams to develop curriculum maps to improve teaching and learning. To register http://summercamp4north.eventbrite.com
July 8-July 12, 2013: Instructional Strategies for Student Success. (Haverhill). This is a graduate level college course for guidance staff, out of school time staff and college faculty working with freshman level students. Space is limited and application is required. The application can be fournd HERE. For more information, please contact Christine Shaw, cshaw@salemstate.edu . This program is part of the Massachusetts Core to College efforts and DESE support for Out of School Time programs.
June 25-28, 2013: Institute on Service Learning. Sponsored by KIDS consortium and DESE. Offered at the Salem Maritime Museum. kidsconsortium.org/professional_development.php
June 12, 2013: Amp It UP! Teacher follow up seminar.
May 22, 2013: Understanding Disabilities (OST) 9 am-2:30 pm, Salem. This workshop is for out of school time educators and staff. The morning will include a review of disabilities often detected in children and youth. Then the participants will explore methods for inclusion, developing accommodations and engaging all youth in program activities and opportunities. REGISTRATION CLOSED FULL
April 24, 25 May and June 5: WIDA Training on Curriculum Development. CANCELLED by DESE. Please contact DESE office for other options for WIDA training.
April 26, 29, June 6: WIDA Training on Curriculum Development. Chelmsford Education Community Center. In partnership with DESE district training on WIDA/ELL
April 30, 2013: Regional Discussion on Common Core, Adult Basic Education and the GED. 8:30-10:00 am. COMPLETED. Follow up to be scheduled in late May/June. Salem State. This is an open forum for anyone involved in ABE and GED instruction. The WIB's (Northshore, Lawerance and Lowell) along with NRRC are hosting this session to provide an opportunity to talk about the Common Core Standards and the application for ABE and GED programs. To register contact: Sharon McManus at smcmanus@salemstate.edu.
April 24, 2013 Navigating the QRIS System at Middlesex Community College from 9 am-2:30 pm. Offered in partnership with R3P, this workshop will review the QRIS system, provide strategies for moving from one level to another and include a computer/on line component. .5 CEU's are offered for attending the full program. Registration is through R3P, contact Mercedes Villar for more information.
April 24, 2013 (rescheduled): Model Curriculum Units Workshop 9-12: This workshop is presented by DESE and will review the model framework units that were developed by educators across the Commonwealth over the past year. Hosted by NRRC and Essex Agricultural HS. Registration through DESE: http://www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=1485.
TBA: OST grant meeting. Salem State University. 9-10:30am. This has been rescheduled to accomondate event in Boston supporting OST. For information contact Christine Shaw at cshaw@salemstate.edu
April 23, 2013: KEA Pilot I group meeting. Woburn 11:30 -1:30. For more information contact Christine Shaw
April 2, 2013: Part II of the Out Of School Time Workshops on supporting the Curriculum Framework Standards for ELA and mathematics. (COMPLETED) This will include TWO workshops: Workshop I: Integrating ELA standards into OST programming, 8-11:30 am. Workshop II: Tutoring for elementary Mathematics. This workshop will provide techniques and strategies for tutoring at the 1-6 grade levels. 12:30-3 pm. Hosted in Lawrence.
March 26, 2013: PreK and Kindergarten Standards. (COMPLETED) This workshop will review the PreK and K Massachusetts Curriculum Framework standards for ELA/Literacy and mathematics and provide an opportunity to explore integration of standards focused content in units, play and activities.
Teaching Strategies Gold Train the Trainer. March 11 and 12. (COMPLETED) 18 individuals from across the Commonwealth were trained by TSG personnel on the system. Follow up date will be May 22, 2013 at MCC. Each pilot KEA district trained both a trainer and a coach to support district implementation.
WIDA Train the Trainer for higher education faculty and staff. March 11-14.(COMPLETED) 16 higher education faculty were trained in the WIDA system. In partnership with University of Massachusetts Lowell. Contact Dr. Vera Ossen for more information. Space limited to NRRC higher education partners and RRC recommended faculty.
Ongoing: Online workshop (free) 12 hour online QRIS course available. This is a great place to start with the QRIS system. You can work through the 12 hours at your own pace.
February 4, 2013: An Overview of the Curriculum Frameworks for Out of School Time Staff: 8:30 am- 2:30 pm in Lynn, MA. This workshop is for staff working with school age children interested in learning more about the Curriculum Frameworks for ELA/Literacy and Mathematics. The presenters will review the standards and provide resources for supporting learning outside of the classroom. Registration is limited. Registration form HERE
January 22, 2013 (snow date January 23): KEA regional discussion, Lawrence High School 3-5 pm. Open discussion with educators at various stages of implementing the KEA. This is an open discussion for educators to explore the value added, questions and challenges of pre-K and Kindergarten assessment. Flyer: HERE Registration with your name, school, grades teaching, and contact number to: smcmanus@salemstate.edu
January 16, 2013: Out of School Time Networking Meeting, 8:30-10:30 am, Salem State University Central Campus, Marsh Hall. For more information please contact Christine Shaw
January 9, 2013: PARCC Update, 9-11 am, Wakefield, Mass. To register: doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=1430e
January 7 2013, 1-3 pm, Next Generation Science Standards new Draft, Salem State University: Presentation by DESE staff regarding the draft NGSS. To register: doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=1440
December 14, 2012, Transitions in Mathematics 2013. 9-11 am, Essex Agricultural Technical Institute: Presentation by DESE staff regarding the changes to MCAS for this spring. Primarily elementary and middle school levels. Essex Agricultural Institute, Danvers, Mass. In 2013, the MCAS mathematics tests will be assessing the new 2011 Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Mathematics. There are many changes and challenges ahead. The transition plans and assessable standards lists are posted on the ESE assessment website, but educators might like further information to understand how the MCAS tests are changing for grades 3-8 and how the Grade 10 test is essentially remaining unchanged. To register: doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=1417
December 12, 2012, Human Resource Network Luncheon, 12-2 pm, Topsfield MA. Discussion on the educator evaluation system, implementation and supporting administration through the human resource departments. Possible regional workshop development. To register contact smcmanus@salemstate.edu.
December 6, 2012: PreK and Kindergarten Standards, (full will offer another in spring 2013) COMPLETED. 42 participants. This workshop will review the PreK and K Massachusetts Curriculum Framework standards for ELA/Literacy and mathematics and provide an opportunity to explore integration of standards focused content in units, play and activities. If you would like to be on the waitlist please contact: Sharon McManus at smcmanus@salemstate.edu
December 3, 2012: Executive Board Meeting NRRC, COMPLETED. Reviewed and ranked regional projects for implementation spring/summer 2013. Essex Agricultural High School. For more information contact Christine Shaw. cshaw@salemstate.edu
December 1, 2012: QRIS System navigation. COMPLETED 30 participants. Will be repeated in the spring 2013 information at northshore.edu/r3p/calendar.html
November 30, 2012: Overview of KEA (Kindergarten Entry Assessment) tools and resources. 9-11 am. NECC. COMPLETED. For additional information on KEA project in Northeast region please Contact cshaw@salemstate.edu for more information.
November 27, 2012: Mathematics Practices, Standards and Assessment. 9-12 in Danvers MA. COMPLETED 35 participants. Workshop for 3rd through 12th grade mathematics instructors. For registration information please contact Sharon McManus at smcmanus@salemstate.edu
November 1, 2012 Overview of KEA tools and resources: COMPLETED. 25 early educators attended. Repeat on Nov 30. Individuals interested in participating in early education events can contact: Contact cshaw@salemstate.edu for more information.
Click here to view past events.
Grants and Funding
National Council for Teaching Mathematics
There are a number of grants due in November and May for mathematics instruction available. Visit their webpage at Grants and Awards
The Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS)
Eastern Region Program is currently accepting proposals for the integration of primary sources in K-16 education, existing pre-service and graduate-level education curriculum, and teacher professional development programs. Proposals up to $20,000 will be considered and are accepted on a rolling basis. Preference will be given to proposals that have the most potential for being integrated into K-16 classrooms for the long-term. Click here for a copy of the TPS Eastern Region Grant Application
About the Northeast Regional Readiness Center (NRRC)
The colleges and universities in northeastern Massachusetts, partnering with school districts and community-based organizations, have recently formed the Northeast Regional Readiness Center (NRRC) to assist educators in helping all children learn. The mission of the NRRC is to respond to the pressing educational needs of local schools and their communities with resources and models of effective practice. Pooling resources and collaborating in research and program development, NRRC partners seek to improve teaching and learning, and identify new approaches for meeting children’s needs in and out of school. Housed at Salem State University, with satellite sites at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Northern Essex Community College, North Shore Community College, Merrimack College, Gordon College, and Middlesex Community College, the partners will help local school districts evaluate their programs, assess their needs, and gain access to high-quality professional development and replicable models of educational practice.
Based on preliminary information, the NRRC will focus on the following initial areas of district and community need:
* Communities of practice to support the development and retention of new teachers and school leaders
* Teaching and learning in science, technology/engineering, and mathematics (STEM
* University/college readiness and workforce development
* Early childhood
* Out-of-school-time programming
* PK-12 Curriculum and Instruction
Teams of researchers, school leaders and staff, and community-based professionals have begun meeting to ask meaningful questions, collaboratively set goals, analyze data, and review existing research and models of practice. This website will serve as a hub of information for communities and schools in this region, where they can find relevant research, professional development resources, and information on educator licensure programs. Moreover, this site will serve as a gateway for NRRC partners to connect and collaborate.
For additional information about NRRC work, or to contribute to NRRC efforts, please contact nrrc@salemstate.edu.