Blog

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.

A Look at School on the Move Prize Winner: Jeremiah E. Burke High School

November 10, 2016

In 2010, the Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Boston was failing. With over 80 percent of their students eligible for free or reduced lunch, the Burke faced many difficult challenges – a student population dealing with the effects of poverty, community violence, trauma, and homelessness. The Dorchester school had one of the highest dropout rates in Boston, was unable to meet academic goals, and was designated by the state as underperforming. A few years later, it was the first high school in Massachusetts to exit turnaround, coming out with an award for Boston’s most-improved school, EdVestors' Thomas W. Payzant School on the Move Prize.

Voices from the Field: How Schools Are Addressing Social-Emotional Learning

October 01, 2016

Schools and districts across Massachusetts are making progress when it comes to advancing SEL. We wanted to give educators and school leaders a chance to share the important work happening in their schools and the impact SEL programs are having on students.

Next Steps in Social-Emotional Learning

October 01, 2016

We've already discussed the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) in schools and its link to improved academic performance and life outcomes. Perhaps you’ve had a chance to read Rennie’s Social-Emotional Learning: Opportunities for Massachusetts, Lessons for the Nation report or our Condition of Education Action Guide, which focuses on SEL. By now, you’ve heard so many within the education community call for a focus on the needs of the whole child. We all know how important SEL is, now it’s time to take action.