This study examined the differential impact of implementing the "Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction" (SDLMI) alone with implementing the SDLMI combined with "Whose Future Is It?" with transition aged students with intellectual disability in a cluster randomized trial in the state of Rhode Island. The state of Rhode…

This study examined the differential impact of implementing the "Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction" (SDLMI) alone with implementing the SDLMI combined with "Whose Future Is It?" with transition aged students with intellectual disability in a cluster randomized trial in the state of Rhode Island. The state of Rhode…

First-Year Experience (FYE) programs have become a focal point for efforts to transition and retain all students, as numerous studies suggest that such initiatives deepen students' academic preparation for college and support their emotional investments in the campus community. Using quantitative and qualitative data gathered from 842 students in…

This brief reviews state plans submitted to the U.S. Department of Education as of October 1, 2017. It focuses on three key topics for early learning in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): setting clear goals and policy priorities for early learning, integrating early learning into school improvement, and supporting early childhood educator…

The Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) is an evidence-based practice designed to enable teachers to teach students to self-regulate problem solving to set and attain educationally-relevant goals. This study reports on findings and outcomes of the first year of a statewide implementation of the SDLMI by teachers working with…

This report describes the approach that REL Northeast and Islands (REL-NEI) used to guide its eight research alliances toward collaboratively identifying a shared research agenda. A key feature of their approach was a two-workshop series, during which alliance members created a set of research questions on a shared topic of education policy and/or…

Early childhood teachers are rightly concerned with implementing a system that was, at least in the initial stages, designed with a different set of teachers in mind--teachers of older students who have standardized achievement data. In most states, policy, practices, and guidance for early childhood teachers are just now being developed or…

New Teacher Evaluation and Support Systems were fully implemented in every public school during the 2012-13 school year. Rhode Island educators have had a significant voice in revising the Student Learning Objective (SLO) process for the 2013-14 school year. Through surveys, focus groups, working groups, principal shadows, regional meetings, and…

In a school with a transparent data culture, frequent, low-stakes Data Conversations happen all the time. Although most schools engage in Data Conversations at times, there are some specific strategies and "listen-fors" that can assist educators in making these conversations more productive, such as developing a low-stakes set of…

A key focus of the Obama administration's Race to the Top initiative in public education is to support states that implement plans for "recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most." Race to the Top asked states to adopt more vigorous teacher-education…

This technical brief describes updates to a database of dropout prevention programs and policies in 2006/07 created by the Regional Education Laboratory (REL) Northeast and Islands and described in the Issues & Answers report, "Piloting a searchable database of dropout prevention programs in nine low-income urban school districts in the…

A project (ARISE) designed to provide information, referral and counseling on the available resources and services in Providence and in Rhode Island for youth and adult residents of the City of Providence is presented. Objectives include: (1) To help adults improve their self understanding, verify their goals, make firm commitments to their…