Region 1 CC Blog

News and resources from the Region 1 Comprehensive Center

Four children sitting on floor listening to teacher reading to them.

Instructional Strategies to Build K-3 Literacy Skills in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is committed to supporting educators in using evidence-based early literacy practices. The DESE 2019 Literacy Strategic Planidentifies two focus areas of instructional support for English language arts and literacy: high-quality core instruction and the use of evidence-based practices for early literacy skills.

State: Massachusetts

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

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

Reimagining Education Series: Strategies for Student-Directed Learning

Changes to education during the COVID-19 pandemic have presented opportunities for some students to gain autonomy over aspects of their learning. For example, some students who participated in remote learning last year—and some students who continue to do so this year—have had opportunities to be more in charge of when they complete their coursework. These experiences have created fertile ground to incorporate promising practices for student-directed learning and student voice.

State: Regional

side view of light-skinned woman sitting on the beach reading a magazine. She has a white headband and is sitting on a striped towel with a white and navy canvas tote beside her.

R1CC Regional Resource Round-Up: August 9

As we settle into August and look ahead to the new school year, I hope you can find some time for a bit more rest and relaxation. To support all the great work that is happening in your states, we’ve curated our biweekly round-up of events and resources below.

State: Regional

focused white bowl full of red raspberries

R1CC Regional Resource Round-Up: July 26

Hard to believe we’ve nearly made it to August! We hope everyone is getting in some vacation time and enjoying the weather before school starts.

State: Regional

overhead shot of a coconut with a straw in it, an open book with a pair of reading glasses in the middle, a straw hat, a camera, a scarf, a pair of jeans with a pair of sunglasses on top.

R1CC Regional Resource Round-Up: July 13

This week marks the halfway point for 2021, and even though it is the heart of summer, we are busy wrapping up our Year 2 state projects and preparing for new Year 3 projects for the fall.

State: Regional

Assessing Educator Preparedness in Massachusetts to Effectively Teach Early Literacy Instruction

To support its Literacy Strategic Plan, DESE requested that the Region 1 Comprehensive Center (R1CC) conduct a statewide needs assessment on educator preparation in K–3 literacy instruction. The needs assessment consisted of a review of early childhood and elementary certification course syllabi (EPP Core Course Review) to understand which programs are preparing and providing preservice teachers with opportunities to learn about and practice evidence-based reading and writing instruction.

State: Massachusetts

African-American girl looking to the right

Reimagining Education Series: Approaches for Assessing Student Learning

During the 2020–21 school year, educators in many districts and schools relied on alternative measures to assess student learning, in part due to the disruption of conventional assessment practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Region 1 states have a history of promoting innovative assessment strategies that are evidence-based, and which provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their learning in more authentic ways than traditional assessments.

State: Regional