REL-NEI and education research news and events http://relnei.org/relneirss.xml This week’s Reference Desk Digest examines the evidence on whether phonics instruction can improve student achievement when it is incorporated into a “balanced reading program.” Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:30:24 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-07-23.php States in the Northeast are joining their counterparts across the country in formally adopting the K–12 Common Core State Standards (CCSS) by August 2nd to bolster their Phase 2 Race to the Top (RTTT) applications. Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:02:57 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-07-22.php The REL-NEI Reference Desk presents recent research on single-sex schools and includes findings not only on academic outcomes, but socioemotional and developmental outcomes as well. Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:56:08 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-07-16.php This week's Reference Desk Digest examines whether education majors’ field experience as classroom aides enhances their teacher preparation, and how these placements may affect the students and teachers they work with. Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:30:56 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-07-09.php Fri, 9 Jul 2010 12:59:29 EST http:// This week's Reference Desk Digest focuses on how academic “redshirting” (delayed kindergarten entry) and early entry affect student outcomes. Thu, 8 Jul 2010 15:41:39 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-07-02.php On July 14th, REL-NEI researchers will present findings from new research that explores how Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the U.S. Virgin Islands prepare their general education teachers to teach students with disabilities. Register today! Thu, 1 Jul 2010 12:36:17 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.upcoming.teacherprepwebinar.php This week’s Reference Desk Digest looks at research on teacher distribution and retention and presents findings on both comprehensive and specific strategies for making distribution more equitable. Thu, 1 Jul 2010 12:33:57 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-06-25.php On June 18, the Reference Desk focused on the effectiveness of drug abuse prevention programs, including the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program that is often implemented for fifth and sixth grade students. Thu, 1 Jul 2010 12:32:35 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-06-18.php Articles include recent Policy Challenges Conferences, research on learning disabilities and ELLs, the April Governing Board meeting, technical assistance to Maine and New York, and a Q&A with NY Governing Board Member Raymond Kesper. Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:13:34 EST http://www.relnei.org/newsletters.php?nlid=27&nlapno=1 Watch a video of Governing Board members discussing the high-school dropout situation in their district, state, or territory. Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:31:48 EST http://www.relnei.org/ This week, the Reference Desk offers several resources pertaining to professional-development support for teachers’ use of data. Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:29:25 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-06-11.php REL-NEI Reference Desk researchers found resources that suggest school start times may have an impact on student performance. Fri, 4 Jun 2010 13:51:48 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-06-04.php A May 25th conference co-sponsored by REL-NEI brought together about 80 practitioners from the Mid-Hudson Region of New York with national and REL-NEI researchers to share relevant, research-based information about identifying learning disabilities in students who are ELLs. Fri, 28 May 2010 17:41:56 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.eventarchives.UlsterBOCES_ELLs_and_Disabilities_2010_05_25.php States in the Northeast and Islands Region are scrambling to complete their applications for the second phase of the $4.35 billion federal Race to the Top (RTTT) competition, which are due next Tuesday, June 1st. Fri, 28 May 2010 13:57:27 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-05-27.php REL-NEI Reference Desk researchers found a number of resources that suggest balance balls (or stability balls) may have a positive impact on student attention for some students, as measured by indicators such as on-task behavior and time on task. Fri, 28 May 2010 11:45:19 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-05-28.php View a 55-minute webinar archive to learn how districts identify learning disabilities among students who are English language learners. Challenges are discussed. Fri, 21 May 2010 15:32:09 EST http://relnei.org/events.webinararchives.ELLsDisabilities.php This week's Reference Desk Digest looks at what research says about the short- and long-term effects of mentoring students. Fri, 21 May 2010 15:29:36 EST http://relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-05-21.php The Connecticut General Assembly has approved comprehensive education reform, passing legislation that will increase graduation requirements; give greater emphasis to math, science, and world languages; and create a process to tie teacher evaluation to student achievement, among other things. It also will strengthen the state’s chances of receiving up to $175 million in the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) competition. Fri, 14 May 2010 13:22:28 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-05-13.php A May 4th Policy Challenges Webinar with Dr. Douglas Harris of the University of Wisconsin explored the use of value-added models for measuring teacher effectiveness. Teacher-quality leaders from across New England were among those who participated. Archive includes Harris's presentation and participant questions and discussion. Wed, 12 May 2010 10:44:19 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.webinararchives.policychallenges_teacherEffectiveness_05_04_2010.php The REL-NEI Reference Desk offers evidence-based resources on the impact of strong school and district leaders on school performance and student achievement. Tue, 11 May 2010 11:26:24 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-05-07.php This week's Reference Desk Digest highlights a recent request for information on models for extended school years and extended school days, and how those models may impact student achievement. Some of the resources include afterschool programs in the body of research on extended day models. Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:43:39 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-04-30.php As the June 1st deadline looms for second-round applications to the Race to the Top (RTTT) competition, Education Week reports that tensions are rising as states fight for the remaining $3.4 billion in grant money and teachers unions resist growing efforts to link teacher evaluation and pay to student achievement. Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:17:31 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-04-29.php Browse IES and REL-NEI research reports, publications, webinars, and other online resources that examine issues related to improving adolescent literacy. Learn about state policies to advance literacy among older students as well as concrete instructional strategies to help struggling adolescent readers. Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:20:20 EST http://www.relnei.org/issues.php?issueid=2 Don’t miss a May 4th webinar that will explore value-added models for measuring teacher effectiveness. Dr. Douglas Harris, associate professor of educational policy studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will present current research. Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:16:37 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.upcoming.policychallenges_teacherEffectiveness_05_04_2010.php Students need to graduate high school ready for jobs in the 21st century economy. How can teachers and schools help to prepare them? Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:17:47 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-04-23.php The REL-NEI Reference Desk looks at recent state legislation in the Northeast and Islands Region. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:01:48 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-04-16.php The U.S. Department of Education has posted on its website the 40 RTTT applications it received in Phase 1, as well as reviewers’ scores and comments. In addition, ED has posted videos of each of 16 finalists—including Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island—presenting their case to a panel of RTTT judges in March. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:30:11 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-10-09.php Last week, the Reference Desk Digest featured a question about the effects of different grade configurations on student achievement and behavior in middle schools. This week’s entry looks at the research on high-school grade configurations. Fri, 9 Apr 2010 12:09:36 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-04-09.php Don’t miss a May 12th webinar that will discuss REL-NEI research on district practices for identifying learning disabilities among English language learners (ELLs). A newly published Issues & Answers Report examines practices in three New York State school districts. Wed, 7 Apr 2010 13:53:40 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.upcoming.ELLsDisabilities.php In addressing this question submitted by a REL-NEI stakeholder, Reference Desk researchers found a number of resources suggesting that students in the middle grades at K–8 schools have higher academic achievement than students attending traditional middle schools Tue, 6 Apr 2010 15:45:13 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-04-02.php Read about recent Policy Challenges Conferences, IES Practice Guides, Virgin Islands Education Commissioner La Verne Terry dropout prevention, response to intervention, research on classroom behavior, and more in REL-NEI’s spring online newsletter. Tue, 6 Apr 2010 15:43:30 EST http://www.relnei.org/newsletters.php?nlid=26&nlapno=1 Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island, all finalists in Phase 1 of the U.S. Department of Education's Race to the Top competition, did not win grants in the first round of the $4.35 billion contest, but will resubmit their applications on June 1st, for Phase 2. Mon, 5 Apr 2010 02:28:20 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-04-01.php In the past year, the Reference Desk Digest has featured several questions asking how various instructional and assessment practices affect student achievement. This week’s entry highlights research on the impact of homework. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:32:04 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-03-19.php This week, teams from Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island went to Washington, D.C., to tell a panel of judges why they should get a share of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top education-reform pie. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:21:18 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-03-18.php This week, the REL-NEI Reference Desk Digest looks at foreign-language instructional alternatives to a “traditional, grammar-based, teacher-centered foreign-language approach.” Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:53:37 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-03-12.php Three of five states in the Northeast and Islands Region that applied for Phase 1 of the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) grant competition are among 16 finalists, the U.S. Department of Education announced on March 4. Finalists will send a five-person team to Washington, D.C., to present their proposals and engage in Q&A discussions with reviewers. Winners of the first phase of funding will be announced in early April. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 17:05:26 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-03-04.php This week's Reference Desk Digest presents research on the effects of standardized testing on student achievement and teachers' instructional practices. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:44:37 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-03-05.php A recent two-part Policy Challenges Webinar explored research-based strategies for implementing response to intervention (RTI) in elementary math. Webinar archive available. Thu, 4 Mar 2010 11:14:36 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.webinararchives.policychallenges_mathRTI.php A new report from the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands (REL-NEI) describes how three midsize school districts in New York State identify learning disabilities among students who are English language learners (ELLs). The report presents similarities and differences in the districts’ practices and lists eight challenges these educators faced in identifying learning disabilities among ELLs. Tue, 2 Mar 2010 12:20:20 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.press.EllsDisabilities.php Read how states and territories in the Northeast and Islands Region are marking the one-year anniversary of the historic Stimulus Act. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:29:21 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-02-25.php This week, the Reference Desk looks at how charter schools affect individual student achievement and traditional public schools. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:56:30 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-02-26.php This week’s Reference Desk Digest presents several research-based resources that discuss best practices for classrooms with LEP students. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:50:59 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-02-05.php This week’s Stimulus Digest discusses the President’s proposals for reauthorizing and funding the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as well as ARRA support for turning around the region’s most persistently underperforming schools. Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:21:04 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-02-04.php If you missed our January 28th webinar on response-to-intervention (RTI) policies in 16 states, you can now view the archive on the relnei.org website. Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:28:19 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.webinararchives.RTIpolicies.php A February 9th Policy Challenges Conference will bring national education expert Dr. Russell Rumberger to the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), St. Thomas Campus, to discuss evidence-based recommendations for reducing high-school dropout rates. Top Virgin Islands policymakers and education leaders will participate and speak, including Education Commissioner Dr. La Verne Terry, Board of Education Chair Winona Hendricks, and UVI President Dr. David Hall. Tue, 2 Feb 2010 12:24:52 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.press.PCC_DropoutPrevention_USVI.php Browse evidence-based resources that examine how overall school size may impact teaching, learning, school safety, and graduation rates. Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-01-22.php Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island are among 40 states, along with the District of Columbia, that sumbit applications for federal Race to the Top education stimulus funds by the January 19th deadline. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-01-21.php This week’s Reference Desk Digest looks at how some states and schools support and practice RTI. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-01-15.php Stay up-to-date on REL-NEI news and events by reading EdEvidence, our electronic newsletter. Stories cover new research, the Reference Desk, regional conferences, and a recent webinar on adolescent literacy. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/newsletters.php?cur=1 Read research that examines whether holding students back a grade increases their odds of dropping out of high school. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2010-01-08.php Northeast states are finalizing their applications to meet next week’s January 19th deadline for the $4.35 billion federal Race to the Top education grant program. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-01-14.php On Thursday, January 28th, at 3 p.m. EST, researchers at REL Northeast and Islands and REL West will talk about their review of state education agency (SEA) policies and supports for response to intervention (RTI) in 16 states. Register now. Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.upcoming.RTIpolicies.php States across the Northeast and Islands Region are working to strengthen their competitiveness for federal Race to the Top education stimulus funds. First-round applications for the $4.35 billion grant program are due January 19th. Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2010-01-07.php Browse evidence-based resources on timely educational topics in our End-of-the-Year Reference Desk Digest Review. Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-12-31.php The REL-NEI Reference Desk provides evidence-based resources that address how preservice training can help teachers engage with parents and how that engagement impacts student achievement. Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://referencedesk.2009-12-18.php Listen to Dr. Michael Kamil as he discusses five evidence-based recommendations to help struggling adolescent readers. Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/research.audio.php The Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations opens a draft summary for public comment. Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2009-12-17.php This week’s Reference Desk Digest provides evidence-based resources that examine online learning and student achievement. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-12-11.php A newly published Issues & Answers Report finds that the six New England states and New York support Response to Intervention (RTI) as an overall school instructional improvement approach or as an approach to determining special-education eligibility at the local level. Tue, 8 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.press.RTI.php Review research articles and other resources exploring online professional development and its effects on teacher performance and student achievement. Fri, 4 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-12-04.php This day-long event in Bedford, N.H., included a keynote address by Deputy Education Secretary Tony Miller. Fri, 4 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2009-11-12.php On November 19th, Governor John Baldacci announced that Maine would apply for Race to the Top funds during the second phase of the application process next spring. Maine could be eligible for $20 million to $75 million from the competitive federal program, but will have to make some changes that need legislative approval to be successful in the grant application, Balducci said. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2009-11-26.php This week’s Reference Desk Digest addresses a critical issue related to developing a highly qualified teaching force: the effectiveness of alternative certification programs for teachers entering the profession. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-11-20.php Read this and other regional ARRA news at REL-NEI’s weekly Stimulus and the Region Digest. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2009-11-19.php Join Stanford professor Michael Kamil on December 1st, from 12 to 2 p.m. EST, as he presents five evidence-based recommendations to improve adolescent literacy. Register now. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.upcoming.policychallengesadolescentliteracy_12_01_2009.php The Reference Desk offers research reports and policy briefs on the effects of small class size on student performance. One report suggests that, “Small classes help minority and low-income students the most. Teachers in smaller classes give students more individual attention and have fewer discipline problems.” Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-11-13.php The latest issue of EdEvidence reports on new research projects, news from IES, dissemination events, and ongoing stakeholder conversations about research. Topics include dropout prevention, low-performing schools, access to higher education, academic tracking, and math education for struggling learners. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/newsletters.php?cur=1 The REL-NEI Reference Desk has compiled resources that not only describe research on afterschool programs but also illustrate some of the methodology and best practices for program evaluation in general. Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-11-06.php At the invitation of the New England Comprehensive Center and other regional organizations, including REL-NEI, Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller will be in Bedford, N.H., on November 10th for a focused dialogue on the Administration’s reform priorities. Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2009-11-05.php See what the research says about effective evidence-based interventions and instruction for middle school mathematics. Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-10-30.php The Providence Journal reported on October 25th that three philanthropic foundations will provide the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) with $245,000 to improve the state’s chance of receiving federal Race to the Top education funds. RIDE will use the grant money to hire national experts to help state education staff prepare a strategy for education reform. Read this and other Stimulus-related news on the weekly “Stimulus and the Region” digest. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2009-10-29.php The issue of college readiness is an increasingly important part of state and federal accountability policies, and is a focus of the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) education reform efforts. This REL-NEI Reference Desk digest addresses evidence-based strategies that increase college readiness and predictors of college readiness. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-10-23.php Read about this and other ARRA-related news in the Northeast and Islands in our “Stimulus and the Region” weekly digest. This week’s post also includes information on upcoming U.S. Department of Education meetings in Boston and media coverage of states’ use of State Fiscal Stabilization Funds to plug budget holes. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://news.stimulus.2009-10-22.php Listen to researchers discuss the latest findings in education research. Topics include benchmark assessments, dropout prevention, English language learners (ELLs), highly qualified teachers, and more. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/research.audio.php Watch a video of Dr. Francis “Skip” Fennell, past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, as he discusses findings and recommendations from “Foundations for Success: The Final Report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel” at a REL-NEI Policy Challenges Conference in Augusta, Maine. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.eventarchives.policychallengesmathpanel.php This archived webinar presents six evidence-based recommendations for reducing dropout rates. Dr. Russell Rumberger, Professor of Education at the University of California at Santa Barbara, discusses strategies to implement the recommendations and answers questions from participants. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/events.webinararchives.policychallengesdropout_9_30_09.php This weekly REL-NEI Reference Desk Digest presents research on two-way immersion language programs (TWI), a growing model for teaching both native English speakers and speakers of another language. Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-10-16.php On October 12th, Education Week editor Catherine Gewertz reported that Connecticut and Massachusetts are defending their use of federal education Stimulus funds to avert or minimize cuts to their state education budgets. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/news.stimulus.2009-10-15.php Turning around low-performing schools and districts is an urgent issue in education reform. Browse research-based articles, reports, and references that outline guidelines and recommendations to help states and districts support low-performing schools. The resources included here indicate there is no single strategy that is most effective for turning around schools and districts but rather a combination of strategies rooted in the uniqueness of specific districts or schools is needed. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.relnei.org/referencedesk.2009-10-09.php