In One Year, Succeed 2020 Reaches More Than 2,300 Teachers
October 13, 2013
Succeed 2020, an education and workforce initiative, is pleased to share the results of its first year of work, the 2012-13 school year.
- Nearly 90 percent of the school districts served by the seven funded regional education associations were reached by Succeed 2020.
- More than 2,300 teachers, nearly 220 administrators, and nearly 150 counselors and career advisors received professional learning opportunities, support, and guidance.
- More than 3,500 students participated in direct services, such as career fairs and special math and science courses.
During the 2012-13 school year, four REAs launched Succeed 2020 projects that helped teachers increase class rigor and improve instruction; provided counselors, career advisors, and teachers with strategies and curriculum to prepare students for college and careers; and offered targeted supports to students. Examples of each REA’s activities are provided below.
- The Missouri River Education Cooperative (MREC – Bismarck-Mandan) worked with four schools to launch STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs that provide students with hands-on experiences in the classroom. MREC will expand the program to six additional schools in the 2013-14 school year.
- The Northeast Services Cooperative (NESC – Devils Lake) hosted seven different “professional learning communities” that met multiple times throughout the school year. Each professional learning community brought together teachers from a particular subject area (e.g., math) to address instruction and student skill building. Through the professional learning communities, teachers shared with each other and learned best practices from NESC.
- The Roughrider Educations Services Program (RESP – Dickinson) hosted a career fair attended by nearly 550 students. RESP also helped counselors and career advisors support schools in career and college planning activities for students.
- The South East Education Cooperative (SEEC – Fargo) hosted a series of professional learning activities engaging more than 700 teachers. The activities focused on instructional strategies. Teachers also worked together to ensure students build math and writing skills from one grade to the next.
An additional three REAs piloted and refined activities and submitted successful proposals for full funding as of July 2013. Examples of their activities are provided below.
- The Great Northwest Education Cooperative (GNWEC – Williston) provided direct support to teachers in Watford City, Powers Lake, Stanley, and other school districts. GNWEC helped teachers of different grade levels ensure their classroom instruction and lessons plans align and build off earlier grade levels.
- The Mid Dakota Education Cooperative (MDEC – Minot) engaged math and science teachers in grades six through 12 to share lessons learned and collaborate through “learning academies.”
- The North Central Education Cooperative (NCEC – Bottineau) brought together counselors and career advisors to help schools implement college and career readiness programs. NCEC also partnered with Dakota College of Bottineau and the North Dakota STEM Network to host a hands-on career fair.
Succeed 2020 aims to improve North Dakota’s secondary education and workforce development systems and increase students’ achievement in middle grades and high school, access to and success in postsecondary education, and preparation for 21st century careers. North Dakota’s REAs are working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including state and local leaders, school districts, educational institutions, Native American groups, and business and industry to implement Succeed 2020.
