Region 1 CC Blog

News and resources from the Region 1 Comprehensive Center

 

A hand holding a lightbulb against a sunset.

Coaching Framework Helps Maine Classrooms Sustain and Build Upon RREV Innovations

Launching new, pioneering programs to improve student outcomes requires consistent support to help maximize impact. The Region 1 Comprehensive Center (R1CC) and the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) wanted to provide evidence-based strategies to support pilot programs launched under the state’s Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) grant program, which provides funding to innovative projects that help address inequalities in the state.

State: Maine

Two students reading next to each other.

Webinar | Seeing the Elephant: Understanding Evidence for Literacy

Webinar Details

R1CC presenters discussed evidence for literacy, including the science of teaching, implementation science, and methodology considerations. By differentiating between evidence, research, and claims about research, participants learned productive ways to analyze and discuss evidence as one piece of a puzzle in decision making. The webinar concluded with a demonstration of a tool to apply ESSA language and ESSA Non-Regulatory Guidance to understand and apply evidence to inform decisions based on local context. 

State: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Regional

A Young girl reads Dr. Seuss's 'Hop on Pop.'

Vermont AOE and R1CC introduce new Vermont Literacy Playbook

Educators and education leaders in Vermont now have a new tool to help them meet their literacy goals. The Region 1 Comprehensive Center (R1CC) worked with the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) to develop the Vermont Literacy Playbook: An Implementation Guide for System Leaders to Improve Literacy Learning, which was posted to the AOE website in December.

State: Vermont

Ellen Cushing headshot

Letter from the Director: Welcome to Year 5!

Recently, I had the pleasure of gathering with my R1CC colleagues in Waltham, Massachusetts. I enjoyed seeing everyone in-person and making those personal connections. More importantly, I enjoyed having two days of dedicated time to examine and discuss the most pressing topics from state, local, and school leaders in Region 1.

State: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Regional

A teacher reads a book with a boy.

R1CC supports state education priorities throughout the northeast region with Year 5 projects

States throughout the northeast region are dedicated to improving education and related outcomes for every student. That commitment shows in the priority topics identified for our Year 5 projects, which focus on evidence-based literacy instruction, strengthening the educator workforce, college and career readiness, student mental health, and supporting newcomers.

State: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Regional

A young boy wearing glasses and surrounded by peers sits at a classroom desk and writes.

Sparking Innovation in Maine’s Classrooms

Maine is primarily rural, featuring uneven population distribution and inequitable access to resources across the state. Educators are hardworking and committed to student success; however, systemic challenges and inequities that were highlighted and exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to exist across schools and districts. Commissioner Makin believes that educators on the ground are best situated to design the interventions, supports, and strategies to address those systemic challenges. The critical role of the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) is to provide the resources and support that empower districts to do so.

State: Maine

Five people sit around round tables and discuss study materials

Struggling But Not Alone: New England States Come Together to Learn From Each Other About Teacher Shortage.

States across the country are struggling to recruit and retain excellent and diverse teachers. The COVID-19 pandemic has made these challenges worse. Approximately one in four teachers indicate a desire to leave the profession and enrollment in educator preparation programs is at an all-time low.

State: Regional

four elementary kids standing smiling with one arm up, chalkboard in the background.

How Are Region 1 States Using ARP ESSER Funds to Address Learning Loss?

The nation’s first case of COVID-19 emerged in January 2020, and everyday lives changed significantly shortly thereafter. Americans scrambled for supplies at grocery stores, wrestled with mask mandates and lockdowns, and retreated from offices to work from home. But it was students’ lives that changed the most.

State: Regional

Three girls coloring together and smiling.

Early Literacy in Vermont: Findings From the Vermont Educator Preparation Program Course Syllabi Review

One of the Vermont Agency of Education's (AOE) primary focuses is increasing student literacy. Therefore, the AOE reached out to R1CC for support related to literacy, specifically, how prepared Vermont certified teachers who attended Vermont educator preparation programs (EPPs) were at using evidence-based literacy instructional practices.

State: Vermont

Girl Raising her hand.

Year 2 Project Summaries

During Region 1 Comprehensive Center's (R1CC) second year, they supported a total of 14 intensive technical assistance projects. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact project work in states resulting in delayed timelines and managing client constraints.

State: Regional