In the News

School Turnaround’s wave of improvement in Hawaii

This story is not about a Hawaii rip tide but rather the ripple effect of improving student achievement in Hawaii.

Between 2006 and 2017, The Rensselaerville Institute (TRI) partnered with the Hawaii Department of Education at 44 schools with 47 principals to implement School Turnaround. Each school initiative lasted two years. We started with five principals that first year and grew from there. The principals set targets for their schools and received training on strategies to reverse the trend of low student achievement. That first year, the participating high school increased 10th-grade reading scores by 16% and math scores by 17%. By the end of year two, all the elementary schools improved their scores by an average of 20-30%.

The Rensselaerville Institute at 60: It’s our anniversary!

Today I am writing to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of The Rensselaerville Institute.

Back in 1963, our institute was founded in Rensselaerville, New York, as the Institute on Man and Science. Our lofty purpose was to help residents stay informed so they could better evaluate what scientists, technologists, politicians, soldiers, educators, and clergy were doing to Man.

Now 60 years later, our mission is to increase life chances for young people through education and community. Our world looks different from the past. But TRI’s focus on achieving results for humankind has never wavered.

Making connections, all summer long

Summer loving had me a blast - Summer loving happened so fast… In the movie Grease, Sandy and Danny sang those lyrics on their first days of school as they reminisced about their summer experiences together. As we gear up for our first weeks back in schools and communities, I’m going to reminisce about TRI’s summer experiences.