eastconn annual report 2010-11

2010-2011

As we continue to face a seemingly unshakable recession, we join our districts in wrestling with the challenge of both shrinking resources and a public that is increasingly and justifiably concerned about student achievement.

In the midst of those challenges, I am proud of the EASTCONN staff, who continue to hold themselves to the highest standards, as they work hard to connect those diminishing resources with the schools and communities we serve, across northeastern Connecticut and beyond.

This annual report will provide you with a snapshot of our staff’s work — of EASTCONN’s work — and the programs and services that we provide to our customers. This year, we have approached our post-year review and Annual Report through the lens of Results-Based Accountability (RBA) practices, asking ourselves and all of our agency divisions three critical questions: “How much did we do?” “How well did we do it?” and “What difference did it make?”

RBA has been a useful guide. Using RBA to review the work of last year has helped us assess our work, evaluate our districts’ needs, examine our programs and our decisions, and outline plans for the future. (Find an even more comprehensive report, the EASTCONN Board Annual Report 2010-2011, at www.eastconn.org under Publications.)

Among the many regional and statewide initiatives that we are pursuing this year are: the continued improvement and implementation of TEAM (Teacher Education And Mentoring), Connecticut’s new-teacher support and retention program; the expansion of adult and community education programs, including skills-building programs and employment assistance; administration of a new, three-year, $1.68 million federal grant supporting an existing program to improve student access to and success in AP science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); the continued growth of our programs for students with special needs; the creation of new technologies and Web-based tools to support online learning opportunities for students of all ages; the formation of a regional insurance collaborative for schools and towns in northeastern Connecticut; the implementation of Preschool-to-Grade-Three initiatives across school systems and communities; supporting our districts as they apply new Connecticut Curriculum Standards; and the optimization of our recently completed Meeting and Conference Center in Hampton.

As we look ahead, EASTCONN will continue to plan for a challenging future with hard work, teamwork, and our agency’s hallmark optimism.

Paula M. Colen, Executive Director

From the Executive Director

INDEXEASTCONN At-A-Glance .....................................page 1EASTCONN Board & Member Districts ...............pages 2-3Organizational Chart ..............................................page 4Member Needs Assessment......................................page 5District Participation in 2009-2010 ........................pages 24-26EASTCONN Sites ..................................................page 29 Agency Goals—Highlights from 2009-2010 Agency Goal 1 ................................................pages 6-7 Agency Goal 2 ................................................pages 8-9 Agency Goal 3 ................................................pages 10-11

Division Highlights Adult Services .................................................pages 12-13 Early Childhood Initiatives .............................pages 14-15 K-12 Student Services .....................................pages 16-17 Organizational Support Services .....................pages 18-19 Teaching & Learning Services .........................pages 20-21 Technology Solutions .....................................pages 22-23

Financial Overview for 2010-2011 ..........................page 27

Interagency Collaborations ......................................page 28

MISSION: EASTCONN will initiate, support and facilitate partnerships, collaborations and regional solutions that are responsive to the needs of all learners through exemplary programs, products and services.

Cover Photo: EASTCONN’s ACT arts magnet high school graduated its first four-year class of seniors, depicted here, in June 2011.

The Connecticut RESC AllianceEASTCONN is one of six regional educational service centers (RESCs) in Connecticut. The RESC Alliance works collaboratively in the development of new programs and services and in the sharing of specialized resources and expertise. This collaboration results in both expanded options and cost-efficiencies to local districts, regionally and statewide. Among the statewide RESC Alliance initiatives:

• Regional partnerships to improve quality and fiscal efficiency

• Regional cooperation to close the achievement gap

• Regional infrastructure support to promote regional collaboration

• Early childhood initiatives to support young children and their families

EASTCONN At-A-Glance 2010-2011

• Programs and Services: 160

• EASTCONN Employees: 550 – 9th largest employer in northeastern CT

• Annual Budget: $45 million

• Program Locations: 21

Created in 1980 under Connecticut General Statute 10-66a, EASTCONN is a public, non-profit, regional educational service center. EASTCONN exists to provide high-quality, competitively priced educational and related services to 36 member Boards of Education and the 33 communities they serve in northeastern Connecticut. We are governed by a Board of Directors who are members of locally elected Boards of Education. Our funding comes from the fees we charge for our services, supplemented by competitively awarded grants and contracts.

Administrative TeamPaula M. Colen, Executive Director

Michael Akana, Facilities/IT

Elizabeth Aschenbrenner, Early Childhood Initiatives

John Baskowski, Finance

Dotty Budnick, Marketing & Communications

Thomas F. Cronin, K-12 Student Services

Maureen Crowley, Planning & Development

Jim Huggins, Teaching, Learning & Technology

Frank Salce, Transportation

Rich Tariff, Adult & Community Services

Steven Wapen, Human Resources

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33 Communities 36 SchoolSystems 79 Schools 220 Administrators 4,325 Teachers 38,993 Students260,288 Residents

• EASTCONN Facilities’ Square Footage: 188,996

• Transportation Vehicles: 103

• Grants Managed: 89, bringing $23 million additional dollars in programs and services to the region

Northeastern Connecticut, often called the “Quiet Corner” and so named for its bucolic, rural charac-ter, is home to 33 towns, among them some of the state’s smallest and most economically challenged. These are the towns that EASTCONN serves. Amidst the farms and forests of this area lie pockets of affluence and poverty, including towns that are not only among the state’s poorest, but are also home to students scoring among the state’s lowest on standardized tests.

Attributes of this 240-square-mile region include small schools, a strong sense of community, and a long history of voluntary collaboration and resource sharing. Challenges include long-standing, high unemployment rates, inadequate public transportation, limited access to local educational enrichment, social and recreational resources and other impoverishing conditions.

EASTCONN’s Northeastern Connecticut Region

EASTCONN Board & Member Districts

EASTCONN values the commitment of its board of directors. Each EASTCONN director also belongs to the board of education in his or her respective hometown. These local boards of education choose a representative to serve on the EASTCONN board, which guides and approves all programs and services, enabling the agency to serve the learning needs of northeastern Connecticut’s schools and communities.

On a chilly, grey day in November 2010, EASTCONN held a ground-breaking ceremony at its Hampton offices, at 376 Hartford Tpke., where a new addition was begun to accommodate the agency’s professional development and conference needs. The new construction project, located behind the existing site, adds 15,700 square feet of offices, storage, workspace, conference space and meeting rooms. Depicted above are EASTCONN’s executive board members, building committee members and various agency staff, as well as representatives from FIP Construction, Inc., and the architectural firm, Silver/Petrucelli and Associates, of Hamden.

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EASTCONN Board of Directors 2010-2011

Officers, EASTCONN Board of Directors

Herbert Arico, ChairmanJohn Adamo, Vice-Chairman

Catherine Wade, Secretary/Treasurer

EASTCONN’s 33-Town Region in Northeastern

Connecticut

EASTCONN Board & Member Districts

AndoverJay Linddy, ChairAndrew Maneggia, Superintendent

AshfordJennifer Sterling-Follker, ChairJames Longo, Superintendent

BozrahGeorge Bagge, ChairPaul Gagliarducci, Superintendent

BrooklynMae Lyons, Chairg Sheila JohnsonLouise S. Berry, Superintendent

CanterburyLouis Pecoraro, Chairg Tom O’RourkeRichard Paskiewicz, Superintendent

ChaplinRachel O’Neill, Chairg Jean LambertKen Henrici, Superintendent

ColchesterRonald Goldstein, ChairKaren Loiselle, Superintendent

ColumbiaLauren Perotti Verboven, ChairFrancine Coss, Superintendent

CoventryCheryl Trudon, ChairPaul Smotas, Superintendent

EastfordGarry Carabeau, ChairLinda Loretz, Principal/Superintendent

FranklinJill Bourbeau, ChairGuy DiBiasio, Superintendent

GriswoldElizabeth Dorff, ChairPaul Freeman, Superintendent

HamptonJohn Burnham, Chairg Catherine Wade, EASTCONN Board Secretary/TreasurerMarsha Willhoit, Superintendent

HebronMark Allaban, Chairg Jane DubeEleanor Cruz, Superintendent

KillinglyAlexis Rich, Chairg David MarcotteWilliam Silver, Superintendent

LebanonMelissa Hoffman, ChairJanet Tyler, Superintendent

LisbonRandall Baah, ChairSally Keating, Superintendent

MansfieldMark LaPlaca, Chairg Katherine PaulhusFred Baruzzi, Superintendent

MarlboroughBetty O’Brien, ChairDavid Sklarz, Superintendent

PlainfieldAngeline Kwasny, ChairKenneth DiPietro, Superintendent

PomfretRichard Schad, Chairg Donna SmithRichard Packman, Superintendent

PutnamMichael Morrill, ChairWilliam Hull, Superintendent

ScotlandSherry Smardon, ChairPaul Blackstone, Superintendent

SpragueCheryl Blanchard, ChairEdmund Senesac, Superintendent

StaffordMark Fontanella, Chairg Tracy RummelPatricia Collin, Superintendent

SterlingJon Turban, ChairRena Klebart, Superintendent

ThompsonDonna Lynch, ChairMichael Jolin, Superintendent

TollandRobert Pagoni, Chairg Diane ClokeyWilliam Guzman, Superintendent

UnionAndrea Estell, ChairJoseph Reardon, Superintendent

VoluntownDiana Ingraham, Chairg Diana IngrahamAdam Burrows, Superintendent

WillingtonMark Makuch, Chairg Herbert Arico, EASTCONN Board ChairDavid Harding, Superintendent

WindhamDiane Rayhall, Chairg John Adamo, EASTCONN Board Vice-ChairAna Ortiz, Interim Superintendent

WoodstockAnthony Walker, Chairg Steven RosendahlFrancis Baran, Superintendent

Regional District #8Michael Turner, Chairg James CherryRobert Siminski, Superintendent

Regional District #11George Askew, Chairg Jennifer NelsonKen Henrici, Superintendent

Regional District #19Francis Archambault, Chairg Herbert Arico, EASTCONN Board ChairBruce Silva, Superintendent

g EASTCONN Executive Committee Members

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Organizational Chart

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FACILITIES & IT

EASTCONNBOARD OFDIRECTORS

EDUCATIONALSERVICES

K-12 STUDENT SERVICES• Assistive Technology• Career Transitions• Driver Education• Interdistrict School Year Programs• Magnet Schools & Other Options for Students• Professional Development & Support for

Special Educators • Programs for Students with

Developmental Disabilities• Schools for Non-Traditional Learners• Schools for Students with Behavioral

Challenges• Services for Students with Autism

Spectrum Disorders & Other Developmental Disabilities

• Summer, Vacation, After-School Programs• Other Student Services

FINANCE

HUMAN RESOURCES

MARKETING &COMMUNICATIONS

PLANNING &DEVELOPMENT

EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVES• Early Childhood Consultation• Early Childhood Materials & Products • Early Childhood Programs & Services• Professional Development for Early

Childhood Providers

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS• Data Solutions Support & Training• Educational Technology Integration• Technology Planning & Development• Technology Products

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES• Administrative Support• Communications Services• Conference & Event Management• Cooperative Purchasing• Employer & Business Services• Facilities & IT Services• Human Resources Management• Personnel & Staffing Solutions• Program Design & Development• Transportation Services

TEACHING & LEARNING SERVICES• Educational Leadership• Professional Development & Coaching• School Improvement

OFFICE of the

EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

ADULT & COMMUNITY SERVICES• Adult Education & High School Completion• Community Programs• Employment & Training Programs• English Language Learner Services• Parent & Family Programs

Member District VisitsEach year we visit a representative group of our member districts. Our cross-functional teams meet with local district administrative teams to assess how well we are meeting their needs and to identify areas where we can provide additional support. Analysis of the data from these visits yields regional trends, in addition to revealing individual district needs.

Regional ForumsRegional forums are another critical source of data. We host and facilitate the regional “job-alike” meetings of Superintendents, Regional Staff Development Council, PreK-8 Principals’ Consortium, Facilities Directors Forum, Grant Development Council, ConnCASE, Technology Council, Math Council, SRBI Council, Science Council, and Language Arts Council, as well as many other sub-regional and topic-specific groups; they explore such regional challenges as transportation, calendars and health benefits. The success of these groups is predicated upon their ability to meet the individual and collective needs of the educational professionals they exist to serve. The agendas are designed to both identify and address the needs of the members. Data obtained at all regional meetings helps EASTCONN expand its regional needs profile.

Individual District NeedsEach request for service reveals a district need. Program staff is trained to work in collaboration with EASTCONN customers to define and articulate the need that underlies each request for service. These data are then tracked and analyzed further to refine our understanding of regional needs. When additional data are needed, focused needs assessments are conducted using a variety

Member Needs Assessment

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Agency Goals & Program GoalsWhat you’ll find in the following pages is a report on EASTCONN’s 2010-2011 progress toward meeting its three main Agency Goals, as well as a Program Goal report from each of EASTCONN’s six divisions.

This year, EASTCONN’s Annual Report is driven by three questions: “How much did we do?” “How well did we do it?” and “What difference did it make?” And while the entire report is largely focused on the question, “How much did we do?”, it also provides impact data and testimonials from our customers, who help us answer the questions, “How well did we do it?” and “What difference did it make?”

Look for reports on EASTCONN’s Three Agency Goals: Agency Goal 1: To be the primary resource to our communities for low-incidence learners Agency Goal 2: To respond strategically to new, emerging and expanding needs of our present and future customers Agency Goal 3: To improve outcomes for all learners in collaboration with our educational and community partners

Program Goal reports will follow, from each of EASTCONN’s six divisions: 1. Adult & Community Services 4. Organizational Support Services 2. Early Childhood Initiatives 5. Teaching & Technology Services 3. K-12 Student Services 6. Technology Solutions

of methods, including focus groups, regional forums, surveys, structured interviews, benchmarking and best practice research.

Planning & Development TeamOur Planning & Development Team is charged with developing new products and services and recommending the phase-out of those that are no longer needed. Led by the Director of Planning & Development, the team includes our Executive Director, and Director of Marketing & Communications, and two revolving members who are selected from our Leadership Team. Others, including the Chief Financial Officer, serve on an ad hoc basis. The team meets on a monthly basis to collect and analyze customer data, identify new service needs, allocate resources, lead program development activity with key staff and content experts, develop marketing and communication strategies, and ensure the open flow of information with stakeholders.

Leadership Team Our Leadership Team is responsible for overseeing the strategic interests of EASTCONN and the customers we exist to serve. The team includes the Executive Director, the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Adult & Community Services, the Director of Early Childhood Initiatives, the Director of K-12 Student Services, the Director of Marketing & Communications, the Director of Planning & Development and the Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology. Each team member is expected to develop annual program goals that respond to an assessment of our customers’ needs, as well as to federal, state and regional mandates, best practice and research in their respective fields. Collectively, the Leadership Team monitors progress toward the accomplishment of both agency and program goals and ensures that we are collaboratively meeting our district member needs.

“To be a part of the regional partnership that EASTCONN leads is, as always, a bright spot in the work of the Superintendency.”

— Paul Freeman, Superintendent, Griswold

EASTCONN Agency Goals

Highlights from 2010-2011:

Economically Disadvantaged Individuals

g Economically Disadvantaged Underemployed and Unemployed WorkersNine-hundred-plus (900+) individuals participated in services provided through the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) contracts totaling more than $1 million.

Agency Goal 1: To be the primary resource to our communities for low-incidence learners

Overview: Small, rural schools are often challenged by a lack of resources as they work to meet the needs of small populations of learners; a regional approach can provide cost-effective solutions.

Educationally Disadvantaged Individuals

g Adults Seeking a High School CredentialTwo hundred and thirty (230) high school diplomas were awarded at the Adult Education graduation on June 8, a 15% increase from last year.

Students At Risk of Not Completing High SchoolQuinebaug Middle College (QMC), which is designed for disengaged students at risk of not completing high school, grew to 105 students from 17 different communities. Its first class graduated in spring 2011.

g On-site Adult Basic Education for Adults with Special Needs

Twenty (20) United Services clients with mental health and mobility challenges participated in a new, collaborative, on-site English-as-a-Second-Language/GED program at United Services facilities in Putnam and Willimantic. All 20 clients have demon-strated gains in their reading and listening tests, with several par-ticipants qualifying to take the GED exam.

g Minority Teacher Recruitment (MTR)Administered more than 45 Praxis test preparation courses statewide through MTR, a comprehensive Connecticut State Department of Education-funded, Regional Educational Service Center Alliance program that encourages and supports minority teacher recruitment and retention.

“EASTCONN is a primary contractor for workforce development services in eastern CT and we’re proud to have them on our team.”

— John Beauregard, Executive Director, Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board

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Economically Disadvantaged Families with Young ChildrenAs the sole provider of federally funded Head Start services in Tolland and Windham counties, we currently serve families from 11 communities in northeastern Connecticut. Our Early Head Start served 168 children and their families; Head Start served 392 children and their families.

g Employment and Training for YouthBetween 95-100% of all our combined employment and training youth participants either returned to school, enrolled in post-secondary institutions or entered unsubsidized employment.

Services to Individuals with Special Needs

g Children, Ages Birth-to-Three, with Disabilities or Developmental Delays

Provided services to 185 infants, toddlers and their families as one of the regional providers of the Department of Developmental Services-funded Birth-to-Three programs. This reflects a 62% increase from the previous year.

g Direct Services to K-12+ Students with Special Needs

Enrolled 87 students with special needs across all magnet schools and regional special education programs, representing a 40% increase over last year’s enrollments.

Non-English Speakers/English Language Learners

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How well did we do it?“Our partnership with EASTCONN is exemplary. We feel we can confidently count on EASTCONN to develop and provide quality programs.”

— John Beauregard, Executive Director, Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board

“I feel confident in the staff’s abilities and am impressed by the progress my students have made at NRP [Northeast Regional Program].”

— Dr. Marni Elinoff, Director of Special Education, Sterling Public Schools

“There was something about the school [Quinebaug Middle College] that gave me confidence and eventually I learned how to learn, and I learned to love learning.”

— QMC alumna

What difference did it make?

“The support and guidance that his teachers in the Early Head Start Program gave to both [G.] and my family was Lifesaving and got us through. I believe that the Early Head Start Program has been the saving of him!”

— Tianna M., guardian, Early Head Start

“— Don’t think I would finish high school if I didn’t have this place.

— Adult Credit Diploma Student

“I love this place. I have seen a huge difference in my grandson. He finally looks forward to coming to school and is happy to be here.”

— Grandparent of NRP 1st-grade student

“Me siento que el programa me ha ayudado mucho en aprender diferentes estrategias en como ayudar a[ J.] y [R.] con sus destrezas de motricidad y de comunicacion, y tambien como ayudarlos a interactuar y compartir entre ellos mismos y otros ninos de su edad. [I feel that the program has helped me learn different strategies on how to help [J.] and [R.] with their fine motor skills and their communication skills, and also in how to help them interact with each other and share with other children their age.]

— Laura H., parent of child inBirth-to-Three Program

Adult English Language LearnersThree hundred and twenty-three (323) non-English-speaking students participated in our English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs, an increase of 10% over the previous year.

g Supporting Teachers of English Language Learners (ELL)

Coordinated the Title III ELL Consortium, enabling 13 districts to access a funding source that they would not be able to access on their own.

Regional Health Insurance InitiativeConversations are focused as northeastern Connecticut leaders talk about the possible creation of a Regional Health Insurance Collabora-tive, one among a number of important, cost-saving, regional initia-tives that EASTCONN and its member districts are exploring.

g Regional Common CurriculumFifteen (15) member districts signed on to collaborate in the development of a regional curriculum in language arts and math-ematics, based on the new Common Core State Standards.

New Programs, Products & Services

g Age-3-to-Grade-3 InitiativeServed as a member of the team to develop and implement local, regional and statewide approaches addressing consistency and continuity of learning outcomes, instructional supports and assessment in preschool and the primary grades.

g Employment Transition Services for Incarcerated Inmates

Thirty-three (33) inmates in the Brooklyn Bridge program at the Connecticut Department of Corrections facility in Brooklyn participated in a new employment transition initiative. Seven (7) have successfully completed GED practice testing and all 33 have developed resumes and improved their interview readiness.


Agency Goal 2: To respond strategically to new, emerging and growing needs of our present and future customers

Overview: It is essential that we anticipate the emerging and growing needs of our 36 member districts and the communities they serve so that we continuously build our capacity to respond in a timely manner.


Regional Initiatives

Regional Cooperative Purchasing InitiativesNew products providing additional savings were offered in areas such as electricity procurement, desktop printer maintenance, office supplies, “green” cleaning products, vehicle navigation systems and cafeteria online payment systems. Savings from these new offerings will be in addition to the estimated $3 million in annual savings currently realized by our membership.

Regional Public Information InitiativesIn a series of 3 talk shows on Charter Cable’s “Education Matters,” superintendents from 4 districts appeared alongside EASTCONN staff. Translated into Spanish, and available for viewing on our Web site, they expanded the potential audience well beyond the 16 towns and 30,000 viewers in the Charter Cable region.

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g New Programs and Services for the UnemployedSeventy-four (74) under- and unemployed residents participated in the first 2 months of our “Surviving Tough Times” workshop series, newly designed to support individuals facing difficult economic times.

g Facilities Consultation & Custodial Hiring Assistance

Districts are struggling to maintain their facilities, given severe budget reductions, particularly in administrative budgets; in response, we are offering new services, including facilities consultation and custodial hiring assistance.

Program Expansion and/or New Customers

New and Expanded Information Technology (IT) SupportThe agency is now offering IT services in response to growing demand from both member districts and their municipal partners; to date, we have provided 8 (6 municipalities and 2 school districts) comprehensive IT audits, as well as IT services to 3 new external customers (2 districts and 1 municipality).

g Web-Based Application DevelopmentExpanded the development and use of a variety of Web 2.0 technology tools and customized Web-based applications in response to the increasing need for more efficient systems for the collection, management, analysis and reporting of data; 7 online systems have been developed to support multiple statewide initiatives on behalf of the Connecticut State Department of Education and 2 systems have been developed to support district efforts.

g Early Head Start ExpansionServed 45 new families in 3 different program options that best address the needs of families in the communities of Killingly, Stafford and Windham.

How well did we do it?“As a member school district, EASTCONN has been a valuable resource to us. Especially as we navigate through some of the most challenging economic times we have seen, the need to find efficiencies, and cost and time savings is more critical than ever. ”

— Paul Noel, Director of Physical Plant and Facilities, Coventry Public Schools

“It is a huge relief to know that I can send an e-mail or place a phone call and know that someone will get back to me very quickly, with an offer of help or suggestion.

— Vonda Tencza, Director of Curriculum and Technology, Hebron Public Schools

What difference did it make?“Through this program [Early Head Start] I have learned about resources and programs for myself and my children that I probably would not have otherwise come across. I feel that this program has helped us so much... — Michelle H., parent, Stafford Early Head Start

“Regionalized health insurance could provide one of the best opportunities for savings in our region.”

— Robert Siminski, Superintendent.Regional District #8

“I will be able to get a different job and move on in life.” — Adult Credit Diploma Student

Fingerprinting Service ExpansionThe fingerprinting services program offered on site at local college and university facilities expanded 22%, from 570 prospective educators in 2009-2010 to 695 in 2010-2011.

g Regional CalendarThe regional calendar alignment initiative across northeastern Connecticut will provide consistency and promote cost-efficiencies through increased collaborative professional development and transportation.


Research-Based Best Practice

Interdistrict GrantsOur approach to the 20 Interdistrict Grants funded in 2009-2011 has been recognized as an exemplary model of effective integration of multi-cultural education and core disciplinary studies. The grants have benefited 5,230 students, grades 2-12, and 103 educators from 33 different districts by bringing them together in sustained and exciting learning explorations, in collaboration with university and college faculty, and guest experts reflecting all core discipline studies.

g Early Head Start and Head Start ReviewTriennial review conducted by the Office of Head Start recognized numerous program strengths, including collaboration with public schools, data-driven decision-making, alignment with K-12 expectations and the use of evidence-based curriculum and assessment.

Overview: School improvement demands exceptional leadership, a commitment to the continuous improvement of learning outcomes for students, and the collaborative support of many educational and community partners.

Agency Goal 3: To improve outcomes for all learners in collaboration with our educational and community partners

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Program Prepares Students for 21st-Century EmploymentParticipants in Adult Education’s science, technology, engineering and math program focus on math and science disciplines, with the ultimate goal of preparing for future employment in those burgeoning 21st-century fields.

g K-2 Assessment ConsortiumEarly Childhood staff are part of a statewide team developing a repertoire of common formative assessments in the early grades in science and mathematics that align with the state’s Common Core Standards.

g Training WheelsCoordinated Training Wheels, a statewide project with the Connecticut State Department of Education, to implement intentional teaching using state standards and assessment in preschool programs; the result was increased learning outcomes for young children. In 2010-2011, 32 preschool programs were engaged in training and on-site coaching, which reflects a 50% increase from the previous year.

How well did we do it?“The grantee [EASTCONN] had a true partnership with the community and public schools in providing services to families and children prior to entry into public school and preparing Head Start children for future success.”

— Office of Head Start,U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

“…[Interdistrict Grant] students observed, wondered, and made predictions, all skills needed to be successful on the CMTs.”

— 5th-grade teacher

“… [Interdistrict Grant] students gained a lot of background knowledge and applied it in various “higher order thinking” discussion and activities with our partner schools.”

— 9th-grade teacher

What difference did it make?“Thanks for your work – it has been meaningful and faculty have a new understanding of formative assessment.”

— Barbara Gilbert, Director of Curriculum, Colchester Public Schools

That helpful tip [from an EASTCONN staff member]has allowed our district to have several conversations and planning meetings regarding our work with the CCSS that would never have happened at this point.”


“This [Tim Waters/McREL] workshop raised fundamental questions, like how do we get the conversation on a broader level to more people in northeastern Connecticut, because we’re at a crisis point.”

— Richard Murray, Board of Education, Killingly Public Schools

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g Effective Technology and Web-Based Instructional Strategies

Saw a 10% expansion in the delivery of professional development and embedded support to schools focusing on improving the proficiency of teachers in the application of effective technology and Web-based instructional strategies that engage students in 21st-century learning.

g Common Formative AssessmentProvided professional development and technical assistance to 7 schools in developing and implementing common formative assessments that provide teachers with critical information about student learning; also developed 2 new formative reading assessments for grades 3-8, utilized by 8 districts.

Collaborations & Partnerships with Other Organizations

Assistive Technology Award: Connecticut Tech Act ProjectThe assistive technology team received an award totaling $30,000 from the Connecticut Tech Act Project (CTTAP), administered through the Department of Social Services.

STEM CollaborationForty-seven (47) individuals, including 15 high school graduates, enrolled in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) exploration and developmental algebra courses through our pilot adult STEM program, funded collaboratively by the Connecticut Women’s Educational and Legal Fund (CWEALF) and Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB).

g Research-Based School Improvement PartnershipPartnered with McREL, the Denver-based Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory, to expand our capacity to provide district and school leaders with high-quality professional development in the implementation of successful, research-based practices that provide key leverage points, resulting in school improvement.

g YouthBuildEntered into a new partnership with Access, the Community Action Agency, to provide all of the academic components of their YouthBuild Program; served 43 students over 2 semesters, integrating GED preparation with construction-skills training.

g After-School Credit Recovery ProgramPartnered with Windham High School to provide a new after-school credit-recovery program for 37 students, at risk of not graduating.

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Adult & Community Services

Overview

Services to support lifelong learning are provided to adult learners and organizations in the community in four areas: adult education; community education; employment and training; and parent/family programs.

2010-2011 Highlights

High School Credentialing OptionsContinued to see growth in our high school completion programs, including GED testing, the External Diploma Program and the Adult Credit High School Diploma. Had a 15% increase in high school completion programs (230 diplomas) and a 30% increase in student attendance hours.

g Connecticut Department of Corrections Collaboration

Provided, in partnership with the Department of Corrections, on-site transition support services and GED practice testing to 33 incarcerated inmates at their Brooklyn Bridge program; transition services include resume writing and job applications.

“Their [EASTCONN’s] reading and math refresher courses for the unemployed have become a key ingredient for our workers seeking to re-join an economy where skills are in high demand.”

– John Beauregard, Executive Director, Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board

EASTCONN Program Goals

Adult & Community Services provides regional adult education programs to a consortium of districts that include 21 northeastern Connecticut towns (highlighted, left, in brown).

2011-2012 INITIATIVES

• Create a new Saturday Academy at the Windham Community Learning Center offering classes that include fast-track GED, basic skills, ESL and citizenship preparation.

• Offer a new ESL Customer Service Program in Willimantic, Norwich and New London for non-English-speaking Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) clients, who are seeking employment.

• Provide our Credit Diploma Program (CDP) students with Odysseyware, an online credit program that replaces CSDE’s discontinued packet program.

• Oversee the transfer of our Windham Regional Community Learning Center operations to new space in Windham Mills, with offices and classrooms designed to meet the special needs of adult learners.

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How well did we do it?“The EASTCONN Adult Services Program provides a comprehensive, innovative array of educational opportunities.”

— Janet Tyler, Superintendent, Lebanon

As a staff member at QVCC, I continue to be impressed with the quality, caliber, and commitment of the EASTCONN Adult Services staff and look forward to a long and beneficial relationship!”

— Pamela B. Brown, Director of Transition Services, Quinebaug Valley Community College

What difference did it make?“The [Adult Education] programs we participate in have provided additional opportunities for residents and [out-of-school] students that we really couldn’t provide on our own.”

— Robert Siminski, Superintendent, Regional District #8

The Program enhances current abilities and compliments the community’s needs to prepare for the work world.


“I’m going to have a high school education, which will allow me to pursue my ultimate goal of college, for which I’ve been saving for the past two years with my job earnings.”

— Adult Credit Diploma Student

CAACE Honors Director for LeadershipAdult & Community Education Director Rich Tariff was honored with the 2011 Connecticut Association of Adult and Continuing Education (CAACE) Adult Leadership award for his years of advocacy in the field.

ESL in the WorkplaceOne among dozens of Prides Corner Farms employees in Lebanon proudly accepting his English-as-a-Second-Language certificate of completion, awarded by Adult Education staff.

g Online Job-Training Course ExpansionAdded 15 new Workforce Investment Act-approved Ed2Go online courses for incumbent workers to assist them in gaining or improving their job-related skills, improve their qualifications for promotion or higher-paying jobs and boost their companies’ productivity.

g Workshops for Unemployed/Underemployed Workers

• Added 5 new workshops to offerings at CTWorks East benefitting unemployed and underemployed workers.

• Experienced a 90% increase in attendance at all CTWorks East workshops, with numbers growing from 247 last year to a projected 470 this year.

g Continued Community Education Growth• Doubled enrollment in Community Education programs, from

1,000 to more than 2,000 registrations this year.• Expanded access to Community Education programs by

increasing from 9 to 16 sites, including workplace settings.

Early Childhood Initiatives

Overview

We offer an array of services to school- and community-based early childhood educators, as well as providing direct programming for young children and their families.


g Parenting Education Provided 62 workshops to more than 700 families in the region, increasing parent, grandparent and foster parent knowledge of child growth and development, behavior management, trauma and parenting skills.

g Literacy TrainingOffered evidence-based training on best practices in early language and literacy, delivered by nationally renowned expert Dr. Judith A. Schickedanz, to 30 preschool and kindergarten teachers, who reported an increase in their knowledge and skills for promoting oral language through the use of literature in the classroom.

g NAEYC Accreditation SupportEighteen (18) community- and school-based programs seeking National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation received training and on-site consultations.

g Birth-to-ThreeProvided services to 185 infants and toddlers, and their families, an increase of 62% from last year; offered individualized support to children who have been identified as having a disability or a development delay, and comprehensive transition support in coordination and collaboration with receiving school administrators.

Early Head Start and Head StartProvided Early Head Start services to 168 children and their families, and Head Start services to 392 children and their families from 11 northeastern Connecticut communities. Comprehensive services included education, health, mental health, dental and nutrition services, as well as family support and engagement opportunities.

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“We have found that when we work closely with Birth-to-Three program staff, our students experience smooth and well-planned transitions to our pre-school.”

– Linda Loretz, Principal/Superintendent,Eastford



• Implement Preschool-to-Three initiatives across school systems and communities, including alignment, joint planning and shared professional development.

• Utilize data-driven collaborative inquiry across all EASTCONN-administered Early Head Start and Head Start programs to assess impact on those whom the program was designed to serve.

• Begin implementing a 2-year research grant to study executive function skills in preschool and kindergarten students.

• Utilize video technology in our Birth-to-Three program to track child outcomes, share progress with families, and create targeted staff development.

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How well did we do it?“I have found the early childhood team at EASTCONN very helpful. As someone new to the accreditation process, your assistance has helped me climb the steep learning curve. Thank you.”

— Thomas M. Caruso, Principal, Brooklyn Elementary School

“Thanks for your good support for the professional development session . . . both the good management of details and the ongoing good work you do with teachers.”

— Judith Schickedanz, Ph.D.,Professor Emerita, Boston University

What difference did it make?“Her [Debbie Stipe’s] extensive Early Literacy background has enabled us to enhance our program with immediately observable results.”

— Donna Mingrone, Principal and Director of Special Education, Union School

“It is always advantageous to meet with the providers of Birth-to-Three programs when planning our budget and programs for students who will soon turn three. The providers not only share information about the programs that students will need as they enroll in the district, but also share insights about the children whom they have often known since birth.”

— Linda Loretz, Principal/Superintendent, Eastford

g Web-based Connecticut Preschool Assessment Framework

Provided Web-based application of the EASTCONN-developed Connecticut Preschool Assessment to 310 preschool classrooms in 45 communities across Connecticut. This represents an overall increase of 50% from the previous year.

Regional Professional Development CommitteeFacilitated a regional professional development committee composed of individuals representing Family Resource Centers, school readiness programs, and community-based preschool programs, including Head Start, located in 3 different communities, to explore how to most effectively and collaboratively use limited resources for professional development. Child assessment results were used to assist in determining priorities for training.

g Web-based Professional DevelopmentProvided 6 Webinars to preschool, kindergarten and primary grade teachers and administrators on a range of topics, including National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation, results-based accountability and using assessment to inform instruction. Provision of online professional development recognizes the need for alternative strategies due to budget and time constraints.

Parents and/or other caregivers are critical partners in early childhood education.

g Support for NAEYC AccreditationConsistently, 100% of programs that have participated in EASTCONN’s NAEYC-related support and training have attained accreditation of their initial site visit. NAEYC is a nationally recognized indicator of program quality.

K-12 Student Services


Magnet Schools

Arts at the Capitol Theater (ACT) • ACT experienced a 25% increase in full-time student enrollment

this academic year, with a total enrollment of 115 students from 23 districts, 3 of which sent students for the first time.

• ACT students continue to perform well on the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT), with 80% to 90% of students meeting state requirements in math, reading, science and writing.

g Quinebaug Middle CollegeThirty-one (31) QMC students were enrolled in 51 college courses at Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) during the spring semester 2011.

Overview

We provide a continuum of services for low-incidence populations of learners that expands choices for the districts and families we serve.

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Special Education Programs

g Northeast Regional Program (NRP)Located in its new facility in Putnam, NRP experienced a 50% increase in enrollments and welcomed students from 4 new sending districts. Ninety percent (90%) of its high school students participated in community-based work-study placements.

Autism ProgramEnrollment in the Autism Program increased by 60%. Student learning time increased by 300% as a result of continued focus on professional development for all staff and the use of applied behavioral analysis (ABA).

g Assistive Technology (AT)A total of 31 member districts accessed one or more of our AT services; 15 districts received assessment services from our AT team; 5 districts participated in training and consultation, while 16 districts contracted for the AT Consortium package.

g Related ServicesMore than 1,100 northeastern Connecticut students, from preschool to 21 years of age, received related services, including speech and language, physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiological services, and augmentative and alternative communication services.



• Continue growing our regional autism day-treatment program, as well as supporting the provision of in-district programming to students with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.

• Continue expanding our vocational and transition services at Northeast Regional Program (NRP) and the newly re-tooled Educational and Vocational Center (EVC) in Columbia.

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How well did we do it?“ACT offers a rigorous curriculum which I know will prepare [M.] for college. The class sizes at ACT are ideal for creating smaller learning communities which foster strong classroom relationships. Teachers truly know their students and do an excellent job of reaching and supporting different learning styles. The opportunity to be an active participant in the classroom, as well as the relationships my daughter has established with her teachers are strong motivators for [M.] to do well.”

— Mary Ellen Johnson, Parent of an ACT junior

“NRP [Northeast Regional Program] uses best practices in implementing intake procedures, developing highly specialized and successful student programming, maintaining frequent and effective communication to parents and LEAs and using sophisticated and detailed data tracking to provide and improve services.”

— Jill S. Keith, Director of Special Education, Putnam

“The changes in my son are incredible. This year he has grown so much. I will always be grateful for all the staff that work with him. They have him for 6 hours every day. I can’t imagine how tired they are. And they don’t have just my son…they have all the other students. They are amazing.”

— Mother of [T.]….student at the EASTCONN Autism Program

What difference did it make?“Transferring to ACT for my junior year really helped me come out of my shell. I was able to feel much more confident at ACT and was free to express myself. ACT allows me to try new things and perform without fear.”

— [S.], an ACT student, class of 2011

“It means a lot to me. I’ve changed a lot, I’ve matured, I do better, I actually care about my education, it has greatly changed my life.”

— [S.], a QMC student

`• Pursue initial NEASC candidacy in our two magnet schools: ACT performing arts high school and Quinebaug Middle College (QMC).

• Implement 24 new and continuing Interdistrict Grants

• Remain focused on continuing to raise student achievement in all our schools and programs.

Enrichment & Skills-Building Programs

Capitol Theater Arts Academy (CTAA) CTAA has presented 4 productions this year to full houses, including Oklahoma!, The Nutcracker, Into the Woods Jr., and the Spring Dance Showcase; 135 students from 23 towns participated in over 50 classes.g Community Arts After-School ProgramA Connecticut State Department of Education-funded, community-based program provided daily after-school and vacation programming for 60 young people from the Windham Heights neighborhood in Willimantic. They engaged in academic tutoring along with project-based arts enrichment activities designed to reinforce academic learning.

g Summer Youth Employment and Training ProgramThis multi-funded program provided workplace readiness training and paid internships to 488 income-eligible youth, ages 14-18, from 35 participating schools across eastern Connecticut. Ninety-three percent (93%) of participants successfully completed the program and 97% either returned to high school, enrolled in post-secondary education, or entered unsubsidized employment.

g COOL DirectionsCOOL Directions (Careers of Our Lives), a year-round employment and training program funded by the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB), provided comprehensive career guidance and training to 58 Workforce Investment Act-eligible high school juniors and seniors from 7 northeastern Connecticut districts.

Organizational Support Services

Overview

We offer solutions for reducing the cost and raising the efficiency of school operations.


Cooperative Purchasing VolumeMore than $15 million was invested by Cooperative Purchasing members in a variety of products and services, resulting in savings of 10-20%, depending on the specific products that were purchased; members from across the region saved nearly $3 million in total.

g Asbestos ReassessmentProvided asbestos reassessment and consulting services to 6 member school districts that lack trained persons on staff to meet federal and state requirements.

g Radon Testing ServicesContinued to offer on-staff, nationally certified radon testing services, enabling member districts to obtain cost-effective assessments from technicians, who are also familiar with school facilities, thereby ensuring that schools are in compliance with Connecticut Department of Health regulations for radon testing.

g Haz-Com TrainingProvided regional Haz-Com Training to new custodial and/or maintenance staff from 3 member districts; this regional training provides a timely, convenient and cost-effective solution to member districts’ legal mandate.

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g “Brake & Fix” ServicesProvided short-term, affordable, “break and fix” services to 4 member school districts and 1 municipality; districts need only to contract with us for specific services, rather than the industry practice of fixed-cost service contracts.

g LEA Registry Fingerprinting ServicesFingerprinted 625 individuals applying to be substitute teachers in districts, compared to 530 last year, an increase of 18%.

g LEA Fiscal Administration SupportProvided fiscal support to member districts during times of temporary staff shortages, including the completion of state and federal reports and forms; grant modifications; and construction project management and reporting assistance.

g Media InitiativesSeven (7) TV talk shows (4 more than last year) on education topics featuring area superintendents were co-produced by EASTCONN and broadcast on local cable channels.

g TransportationProvided approximately 2.5 million miles of transportation assistance to more than 500 students from 24 districts, using a fleet of more than 100 specially equipped vehicles.

Regional Health Insurance CollaborativeHosted and organized an initiative to form the region’s first health insurance collaborative in a meeting attended by 40 northeastern Connecticut leaders from municipalities and school districts.



• Expand the availability of IT support services to member districts and their municipalities.

• Explore the use of our electronic job applicant tracking system in support of expanded regional cooperative recruitment.

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How well did we do it?“The [IT] staff is very friendly, very helpful and VERY knowledgeable. Whenever I have a question or need help, I get a quick response from the staff.”

— Gail Smith, Secretary, Preston Veterans’ Memorial School

“The team...untangled our messy network, updated imaging, and fixed problems too numerous to mention...Hampton Elementary School is proud of our new Web site, thanks to the professional, competent technology from EASTCONN.”

— Marsha Willhoit, Superintendent/Principal, Hampton Public Schools

“Her [Maureen Crowley’s] knowledge of the procedures for grants and expertise has been invaluable. Additionally, she is a pleasure to work with.”

— Michelle L. Rosado, Education Consultant, CSDE

“We REALLY do appreciate the extra effort for quickly and willingly scheduling your wonderful people to come to Eastern to get the majority of the fingerprinting done in the days we have asked.”

— Darren Robert, Eastern Connecticut State University

“The success of the cable access television show, Education Matters, on Charter Communications CTV14, is greatly due to the significant contributions of the EASTCONN community.”

— Scott Hill, Producer, Education Matters, CTV14, Charter Communications

“The EASTCONN researchers, scientists, and educators are bring-ing a breath of much needed excitement to a world somewhat forgotten for more than 20 years.”

— Grant Reviewer, U.S. Department of Education

“Our little (Grant Development Council) group has taken major strides in the pursuit of acquiring desperately needed monies and programs for our schools that would otherwise not be funded.”

— Claudia Danno, Curriculum Coordinator, Bolton

“They [EASTCONN] are a company who takes pride in their operation and performance and have always been available to fill our transportation needs.”

— William Mazzara, Director of Finance, Regional School District #8

What difference did it make?“Cooperative purchasing has provided Regional School District #8 an opportunity to purchase supplies and materials at prices comparable to the largest districts in the state. Additionally, cooperative purchasing provides vendors an opportunity to combine/consolidate deliveries, thus further reducing shipping/transportation costs.”

— Robert Siminski, Superintendent, Regional District #8

“This collaboration will lessen our costs, thus we will realize much needed savings. Thank you for finding ways to work together.”


“I feel strongly that the collaboration seen at these Regional Facilities Directors meetings is reaching far beyond the conference center to foster more sharing of ideas, and could lead to novel ways to share resources in the future.”

— Paul Noel, Director of Physical Plant and Facilities, Coventry Public Schools

“This [Council Calendar] communication alone has resulted in staff attending regional meetings and various council meetings. We now feel more connected with our colleagues from this region and aware of the changes and issues in education!”

— Noveline Beltram, Principal, Mary R. Fischer Elementary School, Thompson

“To know that other educators were viewing our materials and sharing our interest in broadening the discussion of school funding was affirming. To be given an opportunity to reach a wider audience was much appreciated, and to be part of the regional partnership that EASTCONN leads is, as always, a bright spot in the work of the Superintendency.”

— Paul S. Freeman, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Griswold Public Schools

“In this rural area and these difficult times, reliable transportation can make the difference between success and failure for working families. The Transportation staff make the entire process user-friendly and easily accessible, so our families have one less thing to worry about.”

—Mary Ellen Nedoroscik, JFES Case Manager,CTWorks, Danielson

• Upgrade and expand our regional transportation fleet through the addition of 3 more yellow buses and the replacement of 17 vans.

• Expand our regional advocacy and public information initiatives in collaboration with our region’s superintendents.

• Create a regional district database that can be used to analyze achievement and demographic data in support of programs, services and grant development.

Teaching & Learning Services

Overview

We help educators continuously improve instruction in pursuit of increased learning for all children.


Teacher Education And Mentoring (TEAM) Program• Provided statewide coordination for the development and

implementation of the TEAM Program • Developed 5 professional growth modules• 266 mentor teachers participated in TEAM Mentor Update

Training and 83 participated in 3 new mentor workshops• 131 educators participated in reflection Paper Reviewer Trainings

g CT Accountability for Learning Initiative (CALI) – CSDE Support for Statewide Training

• Provided management and fiscal support to the Connecticut State Department of Education for the statewide implementation of CALI

• Facilitated and managed all of the CALI statewide training sessions. In total, 65 sessions were scheduled and attended by more than 1,400 educators

• Coordinated the statewide delivery of 1,136 technical assistance days provided to schools by the Regional Educational Service Center (RESC) Alliance

• Coordinated the delivery of 800 service days in 40 CALI Demonstration School sites throughout Connecticut

• Provided 110 days of on-site training and technical assistance to 8 state-identified districts around the core components of CALI

g Minority Teacher Recruitment (MTR)As part of the statewide Minority Teacher Recruiting Alliance that is designed to increase employment of minority educators in Con-necticut, scheduled and provided supports for 24 Praxis I Prep Sessions and 24 Praxis I Math Course Sessions to 150 educators.

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g Connecticut Administrator Test (CAT)One-thousand-one-hundred-and-fifty (1,150) CAT candidates have registered to take the test and we have supervised the scoring of 2,950 modules.

Teaching American History Federal GrantNineteen (19) districts participated in the second year of this 3-year program, providing professional development and resources to 47 middle- and high school teachers of American history and 5 UConn graduate students, resulting in the development and enhancement of lessons and units.

g Access for All/Advanced Placement (AP)• 87 teachers from 24 districts attended a 5-day summer institute

that provided training for AP teachers in English, math and science in best practices in effective instructional strategies for AP students.

• Supported a College Knowledge Day at ECSU for 500 middle school students to develop college aspirations and provide information about college readiness.

g Literacy SupportProvided literacy services to 18 schools, an increase of 4 schools from last year, in the alignment of curriculum and instruction with the Connecticut Language Arts Grade Level Expectations (GLEs).



• Support the implementation of Connecticut Curriculum Standards through curriculum alignment, unit and lesson plan development, and standards-based assessment development.

• Assist districts as they update their teacher and administrator evaluation plans, based on new CSDE guidelines.

• Help districts implement their new School Climate Plan requirements and support secondary school reform by making Naviance Succeed both affordable and accessible statewide, in collaboration with the RESC Alliance.

• Implement our new, 3-year, $1.6 million Advanced Placement grant, one of only 12 awarded nationwide.

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How well did we do it?“EASTCONN’s support and service has been of the highest professional caliber.”

— Bev Hartstone, Educational Consultant, Bureau of Educator Standards and Certification, CSDE

“We have all found the new TEAM process to be very helpful and well aligned to district expectations for beginning teachers in Wind-ham. Now I can truly say that I can assist beginning teachers in a meaningful way!”

— Sharon Bartlett, Instructional Consultant and TEAM Mentor, Windham Public Schools

What difference did it make?“CALI has been the intensive support that the staff and learning community of this school have needed and in one year the success can be felt and seen in a variety of ways.”

— Noveline Beltram, Principal, Mary R. Fisher Elementary School, Thompson Public Schools

“The expertise of Jim [Huggins] and the staff at EASTCONN is an asset to us as we plan our budget and events. They often make time and money saving suggestions to us so that we may fully optimize our efforts.”

— Michelle L. Rosado, Education Consultant, Bureau of Accountability and Improvement, Connecticut State Department of Education

“I regularly attend DF regional meetings and PD regional planning meetings at EASTCONN and find them all professional, efficient, and filled with important and current information that helps inform and shape my work in my district.”


Advanced Placement (AP)EASTCONN is leading the statewide Project Opening Doors AP initiative, one of only 6 grants awarded nationally, and providing project management services, as well as professional development and technical assistance to 23 Connecticut high schools. This year, the number of students enrolled in AP classes grew from 3,307 to 4,111, an increase of 24%.

g Conference Office Services• Managed 19 Connecticut State Department of Education

professional development grants totaling more than $800,000; scheduled and supported a total of 27 statewide events, serving more than 2,700 participants

• Scheduled and provided logistical support for 211 professional development workshops, serving more than 2,000 participants

• Processed and distributed a total of 8,800 CEU certificates to Connecticut educators statewide

g Regional Councils Representatives from all 33 member districts participated in one or more of the 9 regional councils organized and facilitated by EASTCONN. The councils provided more than 200 northeastern Connecticut educators with opportunities to share valuable resources, topic-specific information and access to professional development.

Regional WorkshopsEASTCONN’s Conference Office provided more than 500 regional workshops statewide this year.

Technology Solutions


Professional Development & Support

g 21st-Century Learning Environments GrantProvided professional development and support to 8 districts that received E2T2 competitive technology grants, designed to create 21st-century learning environments. These grants supported professional development activities and the acquisition of technology tools for 8 schools and 70-plus teachers.

g On-site Technology Integration Services and Coaching

Combined federal, state and local funding to provide regional technology training and coaching to 12 districts that resulted in teachers more effectively integrating technology into classroom instruction and assessment.

Technology Integration Professional Partner for the 21st- Century (TIPP21) ProgramDesigned the TIPP21 statewide training and delivered professional development to 3 TIPP21 northeastern Connecticut-region cohorts with a total of 32 participating educators, who developed the capacity to provide technology integration training in their home districts.

g Intel Teach LeadershipProvided professional development to 14 administrators across the region through 2 staff, who are certified as “Intel Teach Leader-

Overview

We help schools acquire, maintain and utilize technology effectively.

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ship Forum” trainers, resulting in administrators improving their efficiency through the effective use of technology.

g Discovery Education PartnershipProvided teachers with access to a variety of online products, including streaming videos, lesson plans and virtual science labs, resulting in access to greater science resources for teachers and students through a collaboration with Discovery Education Partnership; 3 agency staff are Discovery Education STAR Educators and 2 staff are members of the Connecticut Discovery Education Network (DEN) Leadership Council.

g Moodle Boot CampProvided professional development to 15 educators on Moodle, a free, open-source software package, based on sound pedagogical principles, that facilitates the design, development and delivery of blended learning courses for students of all ages. Participants were provided access to a Connecticut-hosted Moodle account to implement a model course for the 2011-2012 school year.

g Statewide Webinars and Technology Professional Development

Collaborated with the Regional Educational Service Center (RESC) Alliance on a statewide initiative to present half-day and full-day professional development sessions, online learning opportunities and hour-long Webinars on current topics in technology. More than 70 educators from 12 districts participated in the EASTCONN events.

SmartBoard Users Group Thirteen (13) districts and 50 educators participated in our regional SmartBoard users group, created to assist teachers in designing more effective lessons, using interactive whiteboard technology in the classroom.



• Deliver professional development, both in-district and in our newly built professional development center, in such emerging 21st-century technologies as Web 2.0 tools, media, project-based online learning and online assessment.

• Help educators effectively utilize new technology hardware in the classroom, including tablets, e-readers, interactive whiteboards and student response systems.

• Help districts update and implement their 3-year Technology Plans.

• Expand our menu of Web-based data applications that provide efficient and cost-effective data management solutions.

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How well did we do it?“The EASTCONN staff who work with our teachers are extremely knowledgeable, always helpful, and provide expertise and personal-ized service/training.”

— Alan Yanku, Principal, Brooklyn Middle School

“The time frame of 4–7ish was great, as teachers did not need to worry about being out of the classroom, and the variety of topics and skills provided something for everyone.”


“EASTCONN’s commitment to the support and professional growth of new teachers is evident in the professional staff that has guided the development and implementation of this program in partnership with the CSDE.”


What difference did it make?“Integral to the development of the [TEAM] program has been the Web-based system, designed and maintained by EASTCONN, which provides easy access to all participants, their mentors and administrators, thus allowing for accountability at both the local and state level.”


“Clearly, Brooklyn Middle School has benefited from our relation-ship with EASTCONN. EASTCONN has been a strong partner in securing grant money that was used to purchase major technology components.”

— Alan Yanku, Principal, Brooklyn Middle School

g Virtual High SchoolCoordinated the delivery of online VHS courses to 4 participat-ing districts, enabling 80 students in our region to access courses online.

Database Development & Support

g Data Systems Design and Support• Provided data systems support to CSDE, ranging from initial

design and development, to continued support, to systems upgrade on 8 different statewide online systems, including: TEAM; CALI; CMT Checklist; Kindergarten Inventory; CAT; CTCurriculum.org; Training Wheels; and Common Core of Teaching

• Provided upgrades and support to the CT PAF used in 310 Connecticut preschool classrooms, up from 206 in 2009-2010

• Developed, implemented and managed a new Web-based accountability and data management for TEAM, currently being used by 4,966 active, beginning teachers and 4,174 mentors, as well as other educators; provides a real-time communication and data system that enhances communication between mentors and new teachers and provides a real-time record of their progress on module completion

g MyRtI™Released a new version of this Web-based application that sup-ports districts’ implementation of Scientific Research-Based Inter-ventions (SRBI) by providing real-time collection and analysis of student assessment data; this results in greater efficiency for educa-tors as they evaluate and monitor core curriculum and instruction and assess the effectiveness of their intervention strategies.

g Standards-Based Report Card SystemDeveloped an online, standards-based report card system that integrates with an agency-developed student information system, resulting in greater efficiency for teachers as they report student progress.

Screenshot of MyRtI Web page

Programs & Services

Adult ServicesAmerican Citizenship Preparation

Community Education

Education Refresher (ER)English-as-a-Second-Language Instruction

High School Completion

JFES Case ManagementJFES Intensive Customer Service TrainingLife Skills & Basic Skills InstructionNon-Traditional Learner Program

Out-of-School YouthRegional Management of Mandated Adult Services

STEM ClassesTransitions to Post-Secondary EducationVolunteer Literacy Tutoring Program

Early Childhood InitiativesBirth-to-ThreeCT Accreditation FacilitationProject (AFP)CT Preschool Assessment FrameworkEarly Childhood Program Monitoring & EvaluationEarly Childhood Staff Training & Consultation

Early Head Start

Head Start ProgramsPreschool Curriculum, Assessment & Learning

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EASTCONN District Participation 2010-2011

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Programs & Services

K-12 Student ServicesACT Magnet High School

AT ConsortiumAT Demonstration Center & Lending Library

AT Student Assessment

AT Training & ConsultationAudiological/Augmentative Alternative Comm. Services

Autism ServicesCapitol Theater Arts Academy (CTAA)Child-Specific Consultation & Assessment

Cool Directions

Driver Education

Interdistrict Sch. Year Pgms.

Quinebaug Middle College

Regional Special Education

Related Services (OT, PT, SL)

Student Transportation Srvs.

Summer/Vacation Programs

Organizational Support ServicesAsbestos Inspection& ManagementAsbestos Designated Person Staffing Services

Cooperative Purchasing

CT REAP

Facilities Forum

Fingerprinting Services

Grants Dev. & AssistanceProgram Planning Design & DevelopmentRadon Measurement ServicesRegional Transportation Services

Shared Staffing/HR ServicesTechnology Infrastructure/Network Management


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Programs & Services

Teaching & Learning ServicesAdvanced Placement Professional Development

Assessment Strategies

Data Team FacilitationDistrict & School Improvement Planning

EASTCONN CouncilsELL Title III Consortium/Support & Professional Development

Instructional Strategies

Perkins ConsortiumPreK-8 Principals’ Consortium

Professional Development

SRBI

Teaching American History

TEAM

Technology SolutionsData-Related Support& TrainingData Management Tools & ServicesTechnology Curriculum IntegrationTechnology Integration Professional Development & Coaching

Virtual High School

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EASTCONN Finance Facts

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Sources of Funds

Allocation of Funds

Overview

Detail

Employees2010-2011 Employees: 533

Annual Finances2010-2011 Expenditures: $45,179,152

Services Benefiting LocalCommunities: $12,406,052

Administration: $2,676,330

Services Benefiting LocalSchools: $30,096,770

EASTCONN Interagency Collaborations“… an organization that truly cares about its constituents and values collaboration.” — Kim Radda, IRB Administrator, Institute for Community Research, Hartford

A ACCESS Agency; ACES; Alliance of Regional Educational Service Centers; American Antiquarian Society; American Cancer Society; Ampersand Consulting; Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA)

B Backus Hospital, Norwich; Benton Museum

C C.E.S.; Chambers of Commerce; Choices Program/Brown University; Community Conversations; Connecticut associations of: Boards of Education(CABE), Public School Superintendents, School Nurses, School Personnel Administrators, Schools (CAS), Secondary Schools, Supervision and Curriculum & Development; Connecticut Academy for Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology; Connecticut Audubon; Connecticut Business and Industry Association, (CBIA); Connecticut Center for Advanced Technologies, Inc.; Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism; Connecticut Council of Administrators of Special Education (ConnCASE); Connecticut Department of Higher Education; Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium; Connecticut Educators Computer Association (CECA); Connecticut Educators Network; Connecticut General Assembly; Connecticut Historical Society; Connecticut Principals’ Academy; Connecticut Quality Council; Connecticut Reading Association; Connecticut School Public Relations Association (ConnSPRA); Connecticut State collaborations: Alternative Sanctions, Board of Education Services for the Blind, Bureau of Rehabilitation, Children and Families, Corrections,

Dept. of Education (CSDE), Environmental Protection, Health, Income Maintenance, Justice, Labor, Mental Retardation, Mental Health, Policy and Management, Public Health & Addiction Services, Social Services, Teaching & Learning, Workers’ Compensation & Rehabilitation; Connecticut State Library; Connecticut Virtual Learning Center.; Connecticut Vocational Technical Schools: Windham Regional, H.H. Ellis; Connecticut Women’s Education & Legal Fund; Covenant Soup Kitchen; Creative Community Building Program/UConn; CREC; CT Works, Danielson & Willimantic; Curbstone Press

D Dempsey Center; Discovery Education

E East Bay Educational Collaborative; Eastern Area Health Education Center (AHEC); Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Eastern Connecticut Libraries; Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic; Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board; EDUCATION CONNECTION; Even Start

F Family Resource Centers; Family Service Coordination Centers; Food, Resources, Education Security & Health (FRESH) of New London; 4-H LIFT (Learning, Interaction, Friends Talents) After-School Program; Full Option Science System (FOSS)

G Generations Family Health Center; Goodwin Conservation Center

H Head Start; Historic New

England; Holy Family Shelter; Home Selling Team, LLC

I-J Infoline; Institute for Community Research; International Center for Creativity & Imagination

K Kite Consulting

L The Last Green Valley; LEARN; Liberty Bank; Literacy Volunteers

M Mansfield Discovery Depot; Mitchell College; Museums of Northeast Connecticut

N Natchaug Hospital, Joshua Program; National and Connecticut Associations for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC/CAEYC); National Math & Science Initiative (NMSI); Neag School of Education/University of Connecticut; New England Office of the College Board; New London Adult Education; New London County 4-H Program; New London Youth Affairs; Northeast Alliance for Economic Development; Northeast Area Superintendents’ Association (NASA); Northern Rhode Island Collaborative (NRIC); Norwich Adult Education; Norwich Youth & Family Services

O OSA (Optical Society of America) Foundation; Office for Workforce Competitiveness

P Prevent Child Abuse CT; Prudence Crandall Museum

Q Quinebaug Valley Community College

R Research for Better Teaching; Retired Seniors Volunteer Program

S Special Education Resource Center (SERC); Statewide Birth-to-Three; St. Joseph Living Center; Sturbridge Village

T Thames Science Center; Thomas J. Dodd Center, University of Connecticut; Thread City Development; Three Rivers Community College; Tri-County Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC)

U United Connection Action for Neighborhoods, Inc. (UCAN); United Social and Mental Health Services; U.S. Departments: Education, Health & Human Services, Housing & Urban Development, Labor; University Region Superintendents’ Association (URSA); University of Connecticut

V Life Long Learning; Visiting Nurses Association

W-Z WAIM (Windham Area Interfaith Ministry); The Wheeler Clinic, Inc.; William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund; Willimantic Public Library; Willimantic River Alliance; Willimantic Spanish American Merchants’ Association; Willimantic Weed & Seed; Windham Area Arts Collaborative; Windham Recreation Department; Windham Region Community Council; Windham School Readiness Council; Windham Textile and History Museum; Town of Windham (Mayor)

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EASTCONN will provide equal employment opportunities to all persons without discrimination with respect to race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.

Further, it is the policy of EASTCONN that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be discriminated against under any program because of race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, or physical or mental disability. EASTCONN will neither knowingly use the services of, nor otherwise deal with, any business, contractor, subcontractor, or agency that engages in unlawful discrimination.

EASTCONN Sites

Capitol Theater896 Main St., Willimantic, CT 06226 T: 860-465-5636; F: 860-465-8115

Commerce Drive10 Commerce Drive Columbia, CT 06237T: 860-228-3240; F: 860-228-3206

Community Learning Center21 Valley St., Willimantic, CT 06226 T: 860-423-2591; F: 860-450-0853

Educational & Vocational Center (EVC)formerly Eastern Regional AcademyP.O. Box 498, 14 Route 66, Columbia, CT 06237 T: 860-228-4317; F: 860-228-1147

Hampton, Central Administration376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton, CT 06247 T: 860-455-0707; F: 860-455-8026

Killingly Head Start1620 Upper Maple St., Dayville, CT 06241T: 860-779-0410; F: 860-779-1377

Northeast Learning Center 111 Connecticut Mills Ave., Danielson, CT 06239T: 860-779-3770; F: 860-779-3384

Northeast Learning Center/Head Start111 Connecticut Mills Ave., Danielson, CT 06239 T: 860-779-3770; F: 860-779-3384

Northeast Regional ProgramP. O. Box 249508A Pomfret St. Putnam, CT 06260 T: 860-963-3328; F: 860-963-3332

EASTCONN/Vernon Public Schools Head Start Partnership

• Center Road School, 20 Center Rd. Vernon, CT 06066, 860-870-6300

• Lake Street School, 201 Lake St. Vernon, CT 06066, 860-870-6085

• Maple Street School, 20 Maple St. Vernon, CT 06066, 860-870-6175

• Northeast School, 69 East St. Vernon, CT 06066, 860-870-6080

• Skinner Road School, 90 Skinner Rd. Vernon, CT 06066, 860-870-6180

Plainfield Head Start — Early Childhood Center651 Norwich Rd., Plainfield, CT 06374T: 860-564-7787; F: 860-564-6508

Plainfield Head Start — Moosup Gardens10B Gorman St., Moosup, CT 06354T: 860-564-7199; F: 860-564-2630

Putnam Head Start33 Wicker St., Putnam, CT 06260T: 860-928-0004; F: 860-963-5357

Quinebaug Middle College742 Upper Maple St., Danielson, CT 06239 T: 860-412-7400; F: 860-412-7388

Windham MillsBuilding 1, 322 Main St. Willimantic, CT 06226 T: 860-455-0707; F: 860-456-9407

Woodstock Academy: Cooperative Resources57 Academy Rd., Woodstock, CT 06281 T: 860-928-1132; F: 860-963-4931

Capitol Theater

Northeast Regional Program

Windham Mills

376 Hartford TurnpikeHampton, Connecticut 06247

Phone: 860-455-0707

www.eastconn.org

Paula M. Colen, Executive Director

eastconn annual report 2010-11

Documents

hard work

eastconn board annual

eastconns work

agency goalshighlights

agency divisions

eastconn staff

eastconn sites

community education