Nellie Mae Education Foundation Renews 3.5 Year $2M Grant in Pittsfield, N.H., to Support Student-Centered Learning

Pittsfield School District Continues to Receive Funds to Improve Education

The Nellie Mae Education Foundation (NMEF), the largest charitable organization in New England focused exclusively on education, announced today that it is continuing funding for Building New Models for Systems Change grantee Pittsfield, N.H. The three-and-a-half year grant supports the district as it implements, sustains and builds demand for student-centered approaches to learning that prepare students for success in the 21st century.

During the first 18 months of implementation, NMEF supported the Pittsfield School District to build capacity, share power across stakeholders, change teacher practice, and increase student engagement.  

“The steps Pittsfield School District has already taken to reshape its system to ensure an effective student-centered approach are truly impressive,” said Nicholas C. Donohue, President and CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. “Student-centered learning prepares students to master both the academic knowledge and the critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills they need to thrive beyond high school. The Building New Models for Systems Change grants are helping Pittsfield and communities like it effectively prepare all learners for success in work and life.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Nellie Mae Education Foundation,” said John Freeman, superintendent of the Pittsfield School District. “The Building New Models for Systems Change grant has been instrumental in helping us remodel our educational system to be more student-centered and is preparing our young people for a rapidly changing society.” 

Pittsfield, working with its Good to Great Committee, has made significant progress towards implementing its long-term plans to support student-centered learning. The district is focusing on inquiry and project-based learning that incorporates student leadership and voice.  Students are voting members of the Pittsfield School Board.  As lead voters on the schools site council, they have updated and changed school policies, such as replacing more punitive punishments with a system of restorative justice.  Teachers worked with students to develop rubrics that assess student proficiency and that are aligned with state standards.  All 9th and 10th grade students have received I Pads that they are using to participate in flipped classrooms, virtual and blended learning.

To learn more about the District Level Systems Change initiative, please visit http://www.nmefoundation.org/grants/district-level-systems-change

About the Nellie Mae Education Foundation:

The Nellie Mae Education Foundation supports the promotion and integration of student-centered approaches to learning at the middle and high school levels across New England. To elevate student-centered approaches, the Foundation utilizes a three-part strategy that focuses on: developing and enhancing models of practice; reshaping education policies; and increasing public understanding and demand for high quality educational experiences. The Foundation’s initiative areas are: District Level Systems Change; State Level Systems Change; Research and Development; and Public Understanding and Demand. Since 1998, the Foundation has distributed over $154 million in grants. For more information, visit www.nmefoundation.org.