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The BRIDGE Initiative at Rutgers CESP Return to CESP Home Resources Events Blog Support More Events & Trainings UPCOMING EVENTS Available On Request | Virtual on Zoom SEPAG Support Office Hours Parent leaders, district liaisons, and others are welcome to schedule time to connect, share ideas, ask questions, and explore next steps together. Make an Appointment February 25th, 2026 | 6:30 - 7:30pm | Virtual on Zoom SEPAG Leaders: Connect, Share, and Grow! Connect with other leaders for a conversation on growing membership, running effective meetings, and strengthening district connections. Register Now April 25th, 2026 | 10:00am - 4:00pm | Rutgers University, New Brunswick Visit The BRIDGE Initiative at Rutgers Day 2026! Stop by our table to meet the team and pick up free resources (like a literacy at-home kit)! Rutgers Day has activities and entertainment for everyone! More Information PAST EVENTS Missed an event? No problem! Click on any of the events below to access recordings, recaps, and other resources. December 8, 2025 Parent Voices in Action: The SEPAG Experience The BRIDGE Initiative is funded by the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education (Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities; Grant #26000007) through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B; 84.027A). Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback Form . Copyright 2025 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

The BRIDGE Initiative offers a free, statewide portal with plain-language tools, training, and partnerships that help families and schools collaborate on IEPs, inclusion, literacy, and NJTSS. The BRIDGE Initiative at Rutgers CESP Return to CESP Home Resources Events Blog Support More The BRIDGE Initiative Helping Families and Schools Work Together ABOUT THE BRIDGE INITIATIVE Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities The Building Resources for Inclusive Development and Growth in Education (BRIDGE) Initiative is a new partnership between Rutgers University and the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education. It promotes strong partnerships between families and schools to help students with disabilities make steady progress towards their learning goals. The BRIDGE Initiative's work is centered around: SEPAG Development, Improvement, and Sustainability Family and School Literacy Partnerships NJTSS Understanding and Home Support There are many resources about special education and family engagement, but it can be hard to know what you need, what to trust, and how to use it. BRIDGE brings the best materials together in one place. Our team curates, creates, and organizes high-quality resources so you can easily find what works and get support in putting it to practice. UPCOMING EVENTS Join us for upcoming webinars, workshops, and learning opportunities. BRIDGE events bring together families, educators, and district leaders to share strategies, build connections, and strengthen support for students across New Jersey. See All Events Feb 25, 2026 SEPAG Leaders: Connect, Share, and Grow! Apr 25, 2026 Visit The BRIDGE Initiative at Rutgers Day 2026! OUR MAJOR FOCUS AREAS SEPAG Development, Growth, and Sustainability Special Education Parent Advisory Groups (SEPAGs) give families a direct way to learn, connect, and collaborate around the programs, policies, and services that affect students with disabilities. The BRIDGE Initiative provides support to both district and parent group leaders and makes free resources available online. QUICK ACCESS Join Our Mailing List Follow us on X Book a SEPAG Office Hour See Upcoming Events Access Free Resources FEATURED RESOURCES Explore guides, toolkits, and strategies designed to support families and educators. Our resources provide practical information on special education, SEPAGs, literacy, NJTSS, and family engagement that you can use right away. Resource Library One-Pagers General SEPAG Informational Materials Templates SEPAG District Outreach: Grow Membership Guide SEPAG Development Parent Starter Kit FROM THE BLOG SEPAGs The Power of Partnership: Why SEPAGs Matter in Special Education NJTSS | A Guide for Parents How NJ Schools Support Students: What Parents Need to Know About the NJTSS Literacy There’s a Science to Reading. Here's What Parents Need to Know Literacy Raising Readers: How New Research Can Help At Home FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES For SEPAGs : Direct Support & Training The BRIDGE Initiative provides assistance to parent and district-affiliated SEPAG leaders including leadership training, meeting planning and facilitation, resource development, and strategies for growing membership. We also work to cultivate and support parent leadership opportunities within groups. The BRIDGE Initiative is funded by the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education (Engagement of Parents of Students with Disabilities; Grant #26000007) through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B; 84.027A). Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback Form . Copyright 2025 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Published in the EDULEARN2023 Conference Proceedings Community-engaged pedagogy offers a rich, authentic, and motivating context for learning that stimulates personal and academic growth of both students and instructors. By studying and addressing real-world problems facing communities—whether related to health, the environment, or social justice—student learning is transformed from a passive to an active form of engagement that is not only complex and challenging, but also highly relevant. Such competency-focused learning provides space for impactful service to learners’ communities and rewarding and grounded experiences. This contribution describes the practical decisions involved in planning, designing, and executing community-engaged pedagogy, which differs from service learning given its emphasis on the co-production of knowledge. Different models of community-engaged pedagogy exist, but studies that compare them are virtually non-existent. Moving to close this gap, two distinct models of high-quality, community-engaged pedagogy are explored in terms of their learning outcomes, learning experience, and benefit to the community. A community-based model seeks ad-hoc opportunities for individual classes to collaborate with a community partner on solving a problem that is relevant to that community; this model often builds on existing relationships between individual instructors and community groups to introduce students to problem-based learning opportunities. A partnership-based model, in contrast, builds on institutional infrastructure and an educational vision that promote the system-level integration of community-engaged pedagogy into the learning experience of students by building and maintaining robust, long-term partnerships within communities. The factors and conditions needed to support each of these two models are discussed, along with recommendations regarding the broader application of each model in practice, including areas in need of greater development, testing, and investment. View the Publication Suggested Citation: Blitz, C. L., Yanovitzky, I., & Amiel, D. J. (2023). Community-Engaged Pedagogy by Design: Practical Strategies for Promoting Transformative Learning. Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies , 5270–5275. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2023.1382 Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link ⟵ All Resources Community-Engaged Pedagogy by Design: Practical Strategies

Hosted Virtually by Rutgers University and the CS4NJ Coalition The Rutgers University Center for Effective School Practices and Computer Science Department, alongside the CS4NJ Coalition, hosted the 2021 New Jersey Computer Science Summit on Scalability and Diversity. This was the 5th of the annual summits and offered over 15 sessions to stakeholders of computer science education focusing on pedagogical approaches, new student learning standards, and common problems of practice. The summit’s keynote presentations featured remarks from Governor Phil Murphy reaffirming his commitment to increasing rigor and access to computer science in New Jersey and Dr. Nicki Washington, who invited attendees to reflect on their (in)action in creating more equitable and inclusive learning environments. The agenda, speaker information, session descriptions, and links to available slides are posted on the summit's webpage. View the Summit Webpage Suggested Citation: Center for Effective School Practices. (2021). 2021 Rutgers University Computer Science Summit [Event archive]. Rutgers University. New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. https://cesp.rutgers.edu/eir-resource-library/2021-rutgers-cs-summit/ Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link ⟵ All Resources 2021 Rutgers University Computer Science Summit

Presented at Tech Tactics in Education 2023: Data and IT Security in the New Now Educators and administrators are surrounded by data, whether it is routinely collected, generated passively by learning management systems, or gathered through learning activities and assessments. With this data, educators can effectively differentiate and scaffold instruction, and administrators can make informed decisions about resource allocation, course offerings, and curriculum articulation. However, this is only possible if data is mobilized, which requires it to be faithfully interpreted, accessibly presented, and situated within qualitative contexts. In this presentation, through real-world examples and case studies, we demonstrate several ready-to-use techniques, tools, and dashboards intended to infuse informed data-use into educational decision-making. Learning goals: Learn accessible data pipelines to organize, summarize, and visualize educational data (such as academic performance or student enrollment) Learn how to translate findings from educational data into meaningful and informed change to promote educational equity and achievement Learn the importance of situating data analyses within a broader, qualitative context to gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding View the Conference Page Amiel, 2023 - Data Dashboards as Planning Tools, Tech Tactics in Education .pdf Download PDF • 1.99MB Suggested Citation: Amiel, D. (2023, November 7-9). Accessible data dashboards and visualizations as pragmatic planning tools for educators [Conference presentation]. Data and IT Security in the New Now, Orlando, FL, United States. Suggested Citation: Amiel, D. J. (2023, November 7). Accessible Data Dashboards and Visualizations as Pragmatic Planning Tools for Educators [Conference presentation]. Tech Tactics in Education: Data and IT Security in the New Now, Orlando, FL. https://techtacticsineducation.com/events/data-and-security-2023/sessions/tuesday/accessible-data-dashboards-and-visualizations-as-pragmatic-planning-tools-for-educators.aspx Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link ⟵ All Resources Accessible Data Dashboards & Visualizations as Planning Tools

Published in the EDULEARN2023 Conference Proceedings Instruction in computer science (CS) and computational thinking instills students with fundamental skills that equip them to succeed in the 21st century and empower them to design creative solutions to problems facing their schools, their communities, and their world. Thus, expanding students’ access to computer science education (CSE) is a major priority of educational systems worldwide. In the US, these efforts are intentionally focused on broadening the participation of historically underrepresented groups, including students from economically and socially marginalized backgrounds. Many continue to be primarily focused on reaching high school students, although available research suggests that improving access to CSE in middle school can increase students’ interest, participation, and retention in CSE in high school and beyond. However, significant variations exist in the capacity of middle schools to deliver intentional, consistent, and meaningful CSE as a function of institutional considerations (e.g., transportation, scheduling constraints, and curricular demands), available resources, teacher training, and characteristics of the communities they serve. In addition, established curricular and pedagogical norms for engaging students in CSE do not exist at the middle school level as they do in high school, presenting another barrier to expanding earlier access to CS. Therefore, it is imperative to provide schools with responsive supports as they develop, implement, and refine CSE programs that address their unique circumstances. Many collaborative structures, such as research-practice partnerships, research alliances, and professional learning communities, can be powerful mechanisms for connecting educators with evidence-based practices, thereby building the capacity of their schools to deliver high quality CSE. Here, we describe the process used to establish and maintain a sustained university-district partnership within a broader, regional consortium of districts, united by the common goal of improving access to middle school CSE. With funding from the U.S. Department of Education, these efforts bring together educators, researchers, faculty, and private and public sector CS experts to (a) examine and assess the current state of CSE in participating schools, (b) identify opportunities that situate CSE with each school’s goals, resources, and infrastructure, (c) implement educational initiatives and innovations, making data-informed decisions at each stage, and (d) assess the short- and long-term impacts of their efforts, retracing steps when needed, and building on successes when possible. We then report findings from the ongoing evaluation of the partnership’s performance and impact, including perspectives from an array of stakeholders alongside programmatic considerations that drive the partnership’s progress, including those made in response to continued disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the insights gained from this experience. View the Publication Cite this Paper C.L. Blitz, D. Amiel (2023) BUILDING COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION CAPACITY IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS: A UNIVERSITY-DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP, EDULEARN23 Proceedings, pp. 5922-5930. Suggested Citation: Blitz, C. L., & Amiel, D. J. (2023). Building Computer Science Education Capacity in Middle Schools: A University-District Partnership. Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies , 5922–5930. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2023.1547 Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link ⟵ All Resources Building Computer Science Education Capacity in Middle Schools

A Ready-to-Use Facilitation Resource for CS Informal Learning & Discussion Coded Bias , a pivotal documentary first released in 2020, delves into the complexities of facial recognition technology and its intrinsic racial biases. Available for streaming on Netflix, the film serves as a powerful conversation starter on the ethics and implications of AI technologies. Our Movie Night Bundle equips educators with everything needed to host an impactful screening event for educators, advocates, and enthusiasts alike. The Movie Night Bundle includes promotional materials to publicize the event, a set of curated discussion questions linked with specific timestamps for thoughtful pauses and dialogues, and creative suggestions for integrating the documentary's themes into classroom discussions. This is more than just a movie night—it's a stepping stone towards a deeper understanding and a more inclusive approach to computer science education. Coded Bias - Discussion Questions .docx Download DOCX • 18KB Access Promotional Materials Watch the Movie (Netflix) Suggested Citations Center for Effective School Practices . (2022). Coded Bias Movie Night Bundle . Rutgers University. https://www.rutgerseir.com/post/coded-bias-move-night-bundle Kantayya, S. (Director). (2020). Coded Bias . 7th Empire Media. https://www.netflix.com/title/81328723 Suggested Citation: Center for Effective School Practices. (2021). Coded Bias Movie Night Bundle [Event facilitation toolkit]. Rutgers University. https://cesp.rutgers.edu/eir-resource-library/coded-bias-movie-night-bundle/ Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link ⟵ All Resources Coded Bias Movie Night Bundle

In this module, we discuss the ways that technological innovations have impacted our lives and continue to do so. Dr. Fran Trees from the Rutgers University Computer Science Department explores concepts such as the digital divide, crowdsourcing, the web, impacts on education, and more. She also provides resources and suggestions for teaching this content in computer science courses. TLC-5-Impact .pdf Download PDF • 243KB Suggested Citation Center for Effective School Practices (2021). Computing Concepts PD - Impacts of Computing . Rutgers University. https://www.rutgerseir.com/post/computing-concepts-pd-impacts-of-computing Suggested Citation: Center for Effective School Practices. (2021). Computing Concepts: Impacts of Computing [Professional learning video]. Rutgers University. https://cesp.rutgers.edu/eir-resource-library// Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link ⟵ All Resources Computing Concepts PD: Impacts of Computing

This in-person professional learning event provided an overview of how artificial intelligence is utilized to transform education in New Jersey. Key trends, innovations, and ethical considerations were discussed to help inform decisions about AI adoption. This event was co-hosted by the Center for Effective School Practices at Rutgers University, the New Jersey Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, the Middlesex County Magnet Schools, and the New Jersey Association of Educational Leaders. The event opened with remarks from the Superintendent of Middlesex County Magnet Schools Jorge Diaz and an AI Keynote by Dr. Michael Conner from Agile Evolutionary Group. Breakout discussions focused on ways that AI can enhance MTSS systems, project-based learning efforts, and supports for ELL students. The event concluded with a panel discussion from experts in this space. A list of AI-based resources for educators was shared with event attendees, which is available for download below. List of Generative AI Tools for Educators .docx Download DOCX • 22KB Suggested Citation: Center for Effective School Practices. (2023). AI in K-12 Education: NJ Executive Briefing [Event archive]. Rutgers University. https://cesp.rutgers.edu/eir-resource-library/ai-executive-briefing/ Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link ⟵ All Resources AI in K-12 Education: NJ Executive Briefing

Developed as part of the Extending the CS Pipeline: Enhancing Rigor and Relevance in Middle School CS Project. Recruiting schools to participate in research projects has become increasingly challenging in the past several years. Research in schools was next-to-impossible during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the aftermath of the pandemic has made research a lower priority for schools trying to regain COVID-related academic losses. The School Recruitment Resource Packet is intended to support researchers’ recruitment efforts by sharing details about our outreach process and the materials that we used to communicate with schools. Our approach followed generally accepted principles of research recruitment, such as personalized messages, emphasizing the potential positive impacts of the project, and highlighting incentives being offered to participants. Our hope is that by sharing concrete examples of our materials and describing the rationales behind our decisions, other researchers will be better able to address the challenges of school recruitment. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to share your own tips and experiences. School Recruitment Resource Packet .pptx Download PPTX • 2.42MB Suggested citation: Center for Effective School Practices (2024). School Recruitment Resource Packet . Rutgers University. https://www.rutgerseir.com/post/school-recruitment-resource-packet Suggested Citation: Center for Effective School Practices. (2024). School Recruitment Resource Packet. Rutgers University. https://cesp.rutgers.edu/eir-resource-library/school-recruitment-resource-packet/ Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link ⟵ All Resources School Recruitment Resource Packet