Blog

Change Management: Identifying a Problem of Practice

October 17, 2017

Before any school improvement effort gets underway, those leading the process need to identify the problem they're looking to address. At the surface level, this is as simple as defining who is involved, who will be impacted, and why there is a need to fix or improve the system. But the process can be far more complex. Failing to include teachers' voices or look at the underlying reasons for this problem can lead to an ineffective effort.

The Next Step for Social-Emotional Learning in Massachusetts

September 13, 2017

Momentum is building around the need to address social-emotional learning (SEL) in Massachusetts. School districts eager to reduce achievement gaps, increase college and career readiness, and help students cope with anxiety, substance abuse, and bullying are looking for ways to make SEL part of every class. What’s next on the path toward widespread implementation? We’re teaming up with Excellence through Social Emotional Learning, Transforming Education, and Teachers 21 to launch the exSEL Network, a group of districts committed to expanding SEL.

Voices from the Field: Empowering Students for Their Future

September 12, 2017

Urban high school teacher and Rennie Center Summer Fellow Stephanie Vinal weighs in on the importance of social-emotional learning and looks at evidence-based methods for making classrooms more student-centered.

Making College Graduation a Reality for our Most Vulnerable Students

June 21, 2017

In our ever-changing global economy, earning a sustainable wage with only a high school diploma or GED has become nearly impossible. Ninety-nine percent of new jobs created since the recession have gone to workers with some level of postsecondary education. This climate is putting our most vulnerable students at an even greater disadvantage.

Spotlight on Workforce Readiness in Western Massachusetts

May 24, 2017

Workforce readiness remains a critical challenge in our state. A recent survey found that 75 percent of employers have trouble finding qualified job applicants. Meanwhile, 30 percent of Massachusetts public school graduates require developmental—or remedial—courses when enrolling the state’s public colleges and universities. These numbers illustrate a clear disconnect between the lessons taught in schools and the skills needed for success in college and in the workforce. This issue needs to be addressed, and schools can’t do it alone.

Prioritizing Collaboration in a Time of Contention

April 19, 2017

President Donald Trump’s inauguration provided both a capstone to the most divisive period of electoral politics in recent American history and the promise of continued animosity between political opponents. And, while the factors driving current divisions among the voting public are myriad, a significant source of conflict has been our new president’s confrontational approach to leadership.

Graduation rates are on the rise, but are students prepared for life after high school?

March 16, 2017

High school graduation rates have continued to climb in Massachusetts, reaching a 10-year high. In 2016, more than 87 percent of high school students graduated in four years and, while achievement gaps persist, efforts to support all students in getting a diploma are having an impact.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW WEBSITE

January 10, 2017

We are pleased to announce the launch of a beta version of our new website! We hope this new site makes searching our reports, reading about our initiatives, registering for our events, and checking out our new blog simple and easy from any device. A new feature is our data dashboard, an interactive tool that allows users to filter school performance indicators highlighted in our Condition of Education in the Commonwealth report.

Introducing the Massachusetts Teaching & Learning Network (MassTLN)

December 15, 2016

Over the years, the Rennie Center has grown to become an action-based think tank, expanding our reach to apply what we learn from our research to programs that work directly with schools. A central focus of that work has become helping districts build their capacity to design, implement, and continuously assess the use of evidence-based reforms, all with the goal improving education for all students.

Ingredients for School Improvement - Continuing the Conversation after Question 2

November 10, 2016

Regardless of how you cast your ballot on Question 2, there is one thing we can all agree on: our state cares about improving education. Although we may disagree about what method of school governance is best to accomplish this, the attention given to this ballot initiative shows us that citizens across Massachusetts consider school improvement a top priority. We need to continue this conversation about school improvement and focus on how we can scale the practices that are working in both charter and traditional public schools across the state.