RIDE Launches Educator Course Network

Published on Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Online Platform Makes Professional Learning Opportunities Available to Teachers Statewide

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today launched the Educator Course Network (ECN), an online platform that allows users to easily explore and learn more about professional learning opportunities available statewide. RIDE built the platform in-house, and put out an open call for districts, non-profits, higher education partners, and other local and national providers to join the ECN.

More than 40 providers are currently listed or will be listed in the coming days, and RIDE will work to expand offerings with another round of applications before the close of 2019.

“I am so excited to see this idea come to life. We have heard consistently from teachers in the field that, while they value professional learning and are always looking for ways to improve their practice, the opportunities available are not always high-quality or do not align with their needs and interests,” said Ken Wagner, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “Just like our students are different, so too are our educators. We need to create an ecosystem of providers and opportunities so that every educator has the support they need to grow and improve, and that’s exactly what the ECN aims to do.”

In 2018, when asked how valuable the professional development is at their school, only 33 percent of teachers and staff responded favorably on SurveyWorks, the state’s school culture and climate survey. The ECN, which is inspired by the Advanced Course Network (ACN) for Rhode Island students, is one component of RIDE’s strategic effort to improve these learning opportunities for Rhode Island educators.

The lack of challenging, relevant, and sustained professional learning was part of the impetus for the state’s comprehensive update to teacher certification regulations. Approved by the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education in December 2018, the updated regulations established ongoing professional learning requirements for all teachers. Opportunities found in the ECN can help educators meet these requirements.

“The Council approved updated regulations because we understand the importance of having teachers who are not only ready on day one in the classroom, but also have the opportunity to continue to improve throughout their careers,” said Barbara S. Cottam, Chair of the Rhode Island Board of Education. “The Educator Course Network will support that continuous improvement, making it easier than ever for educators to find opportunities that excite them, build on their strengths, enhance instruction, and address challenges they face each day with their students.”

“Over the past four years, we’ve focused a great deal on career pathways for our students. The updated regulations and the Educator Course Network are examples of how we can strengthen career pathways for our educators, as well, and invest in our talent pipeline. I can’t wait to see this platform grow and evolve to meet the needs of our teachers, schools, and districts,” said Daniel P. McConaghy, Chair of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education.

The ECN providers cover a range of academic content areas, as well as leadership development, coaching, dyslexia training, and support for English learners, to name a few. With a single click, users of the platform can learn how opportunities are typically offered, to what curriculum they are aligned, whether they are evidence-based, and other evidence of impact provided as part of the application process. The platform can also connect users directly with the provider if they have questions, significantly cutting down the time that users spend searching for and vetting opportunities.

"Educators want to spend the greatest majority of their time focusing on the instructional and learning needs of their students. The ECN provides educators with an efficient and effective resource, which enables them to seek out and match their needs with an array of approved professional development providers and opportunities," said Tom DiPaola, executive director of the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association (RISSA). "That the platform is accessible online further enhances educator access and enables colleagues to work together in seeking out high quality and focused professional development. RISSA is committed to the development of all educators to better serve and meet the needs of RI students."

In order to be included, providers were required to meet all criteria for entry through the application and review process. Providers were asked to demonstrate alignment with specific Rhode Island Professional Learning Standards, describe the focus, types, and frequency of professional learning offerings, include artifacts, and to provide references and evidence of past impact. These criteria helped to create a deeper understanding of each provider to ensure each met the requirements set by RIDE.

Applications were then reviewed by the RIDE team and the Educator Course Network Advisory Committee, a group of teachers and administrators who volunteered their time to support the launch of the ECN.

The ECN Advisory Committee is made up of:

• Dawn August (Teacher, Barrington)
• Don Cowart (Curriculum Director, Coventry)
• Stephanie Primiani (Central Office Administrator, Blackstone Valley Prep)
• Awilda Reinoso (Brown Urban Education Program candidate)
• Amanda Williams (Assistant Principal, RI School for the Deaf)
• Suzette Wordell (Principal, Tiverton)

"It was an honor to be a part of the Educator Course Network Advisory Team. We had a diverse group of educators from across many different aspects and levels of education. The RIDE leadership team led us through a rigorous review process that included an analysis of applications, calibration of scoring and a hardy discussion. I suspect that what we have helped create will be the start of something new and innovative for Rhode Island, which will help educators get the professional development they need and stay current with trends and best practices,” said Cowart.

While districts will continue to offer professional learning opportunities directly to their staff, the ECN is another resource that districts can use to identify additional offerings to meet educator needs and promote specialization.

“The needs of our educators are varied, from the first-year elementary school teacher to the veteran high school biology teacher, and so are the experiences with which they enter the classroom,” Wagner added. “We need to recognize and celebrate those differences, and I look forward to seeing how the ECN can grow and evolve to meet the needs of all Rhode Island educators.”

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