During the 2008–2009 school year, the Brookline Education Foundation will fund over $96,740 in Systemwide grants in the following areas:

EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES

The Math Professional Development Initiative, now in its third year, will continue to focus on three crucial areas identified in Phase I of Mathematics Program Review: K-6 teacher knowledge of math content, collaborative coaching, and assessment. It will also support a study to examine whether heterogeneous groupings in mathematics can be implemented effectively in grades 7 and 8.

This is the first year of funding for an Inclusion Support project to plan for greater inclusion of students with special needs and professional development for regular education teachers to support inclusion. This project will be shaped in part by the outcome of a recent DOE audit and Federal mandate that students be educated in the least restrictive environment.

Also in its first year, a Pre-Professional Teacher Competencies grant is an outgrowth of mentoring and various CFG (Critical Friends Groups) grants. The object is to define competencies in six areas that teachers should demonstrate within their first three years, provide professional development activities in those areas, and build CFGs for new teachers under experienced mentors/CFG coaches.

A grant to provide Professional Development in Assessments (now in year 2) aims to develop common grade level assessments, including both formative (enabling immediate identification of areas where students need additional work) and summative (evaluation of progress at the end of a unit) assessments. Regional experts will be tapped for assistance with the creation and analysis of such assessments.

The Educational Equity Project seeks to close the unacceptable achievement gaps that exist between students of different racial and ethnic groups in our schools. The School System has taken over most of the Equity Project funding since the Brookline Education Foundation funded the planning and launch phases (FY04-06). The BEF has continued funding participation in MSAN (Minority Student Achievement Network) conferences and Research Practitioner Council meetings.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP GRANTS

The Professional Development for Principals and Coordinators grant enables the BPS Director of Professional Development & Special Initiatives to provide professional development opportunities to principals and coordinators in the face of recent cutbacks in grant opportunities for these activities.

The Superintendent's Fund supports the superintendent’s professional development, including participation in such conferences as AASA (American Association of School Administrators), AERA (American Educational Research Association), and/or MSAN (Minority Student Achievement Network).

In year two, the Training in Use of Data Grant will provide workshops for central administrators on the analysis of data on student learning with Nancy Love or Data-Wise Institute of Harvard School of Education.

The Director of Professional Development will work with EMI (Empowering Multicultural Initiatives) of EDCO to develop shorter (1 or 2 graduate credit) modules in Teacher Diversity Training. This grant is in its third year and is primarily for 1st and 2nd year teachers to support achievement and engagment of children of color and diverse backgrounds. 

The annual ScienceFest promotes science education, especially at the elementary level, and fosters community participation in stimulating interest in science.