RREV - Frequently Asked Questions

Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures, RREV, an initiative of the Maine Department of Education, funded by the Education Stabilization Funds through the US Department of Education’s Rethink K-12 Education Models, will bolster Maine educators’ innovative efforts to support their students with agile, effective, and resilient learning experiences that improve learning outcomes for all students. As required by the grant, RREV will support strategies and approaches designed to create, implement and take to scale field-initiated educational models for remote learning, which is defined as educational or instructional programming that mostly occurs away from the physical school building.

The funding will provide educators and school leaders with access to courses and professional development in such topics as innovation engineering, design thinking, and similar processes, protocols, and habits of mind that will flood our state with educational Research and Development.  RREV is designed to provide both professional learning and funding for schools who design and/or pilot prototypes for alternatives to what we traditionally think of as “remote” learning. Please join us in maintaining Maine’s tradition of visionary educational practices.  

Q&A with RREV Team

March 23, 2021

The RREV Team enjoyed meeting and chatting with educators from across the state who are interested in "Rethinking Remote Education" and participating in the grant opportunities! 

We also heard from educators who completed our inaugural Innovative Mindset and Pilot Development course with the University of Maine Foster Center.

General RREV Questions
  1. What is RREV
    RREV is a multi-pronged initiative and there are several different opportunities for educators, administrators and support staff currently working in schools in Maine.
     
  2. Can we apply for funding for a pilot that we did not design?
    Yes, successful completion of the IMPD course provides access to ALL pilots in EnGiNE and applicants may apply for funding to support any pilot published to EnGiNE.
     
  3. Is this opportunity open to educators in private and charter schools?
    Yes, RREV is open to all Maine schools and the courses are open to all Maine educators.
     
  4. I am from an Institute of Higher Education (IHE), what are the benefits for my organization to get involved?

    The RREV program is excited to work with individuals from all Maine IHE to create Innovative Mindset and Pilot Development (IMPD) courses for Maine educators.   RREV will subsidize all tuition cost and associated fees for Maine educators who successfully complete a pilot proposal via any of the IMPD courses.

    Participation in the RREV program is an opportunity to expand IHE capacity in innovative practices and design. 
    IHEs will be guided through the process of developing capacity growing collaborations with local non-profits to develop Innovative Principles courses.

  5. I love this idea but it seems like too much work. I am worried I will get lost. Will I have access to support?
    The RREV program has trained RREV Coaches to coach teams on pilot implementation. We are committed to supporting your success and will be right therewith you every step of the way!
     
  6. I just want to learn more about Innovative Design. Do I have to be a part of a pilot after the course is complete?
    No, the pilot development course is designed for educators to learn the design skills necessary to create an engaging and innovative pilot. These valuable skills are applicable to creating innovative solutions to a wide range of problems.
Pilot Development Coursework Questions
  1. Which Course Should I Take?

    Innovative Mindset and Pilot Development courses (IMPD) are credit bearing courses educators can take at no cost. These courses will be offered at several of Maine’s Institute of Higher Education. The IMPD course is the foundational course that at least two people need to enroll in to be eligible for pilot funding (one administrator and one educator).   Participants in this course must already have BA/BS degree and be currently employed by a school in Maine. 

    Innovation Principles courses (IP), are supplemental courses team members on Pilot projects are advised to take to help them contribute to their team’s pilot.  These are web based or shorter classes which focus on the core principals of Design Thinking, Innovation Engineering, and other habits of mind that will contribute to lasting systemic change for Maine schools.

  2. Are all the classes remote?
    Yes - at this time.
Innovative Principles Workshops Questions
  1. I'm not sure I'm ready for graduate level coursework. How can I still be involved in RREV?
    We are in the process of developing less intensive workshops and asynchronous learning opportunities that address educational innovation and design thinking principles. Any Maine educator can enroll in any of these opportunities.

 

Grant Funding Requirements
  1. I took the IMPD course and now I want to implement a pilot. What's the process?

    In Late summer of 2021 LEA’s will be eligible to apply for up to $250K in pilot funding to implement one of the approved pilots designed in the IMPD course, which will contributes to systemic change for students.

    Pilot implementation teams (PIT) must consist of at least two individuals that have completed the IMPD course, at least one teacher and 1 admin per team.

    Members of the PIT that have not taken an IMPD course need to have completed or be enrolled in an IP course.  Funding will be allocated by Superintendent Region based on willing and able qualifications. Each region can receive a maximum of 250K per year.   Regions that have several LEA’s submitting pilot proposals will be distributed on a willing and able basis until the 250K funding cap is met.  

    For additional information about award funding click here.

  2. What is my Superintendent Region?
    Use this graphic to determine which Superintendent Region is associated with your school.

EnGiNE (Web-based Collaboration Portal)
  1. What happens to the pilot I designed in the IMPD course that I completed?

    All pilots will be uploaded into the RREV portal. This database is designed to be a legacy of the important work of RREV project.
    The EnGiNE website will serve as the hub for all collaborative discussions regarding the adoption, adaptation, and implementation of innovative pilots.  

    This compendium resource will serve as a platform to document unique iterations of each pilot pertaining to variable demographics. EnGiNE will also utilize artificial intelligence and crowd sourcing to create additional resources pertinent to specific pilots. 

RREV Coaches
  1. I love this idea but it seems like too much work. I am worried I will get lost. Will I have access to support?
    The RREV program has trained RREV Coaches to coach teams on pilot implementation. We are committed to supporting your success and will be right therewith you every step of the way!
     
  2. If I have a great experience in my IMPD course and want to do more, what are my options within RREV?

    Individuals that are interested in earning additional certification in Innovative Practices can apply to be a RREV Coach and earn a graduate certificate in Innovation Engineering. 

    Additional information about the RREV Coaching program will be available during the summer of 2021.

 

Question & Answer Session Library

January 2021 - The RREV Team enjoyed meeting and chatting with educators from across the state who are interested in "Rethinking Responsive Education" and participating in the grant opportunities!