In 2023, the Fordham Graduate School of Education’s Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP) celebrates its 17th anniversary. Founded in 2006, the CEP has earned a reputation as one of New York City’s most innovative and increasingly influential resources of its kind.
The CEP, led by director Anita Vazquez Batisti, Ph.D., focuses on student achievement in Pre-K-12 schools and leveraging muti-tiered collaboration between an institution of higher education and school systems as an essential community link. Fordham GSE actively engages in the educational landscape of New York City Schools through the CEP by serving more than 550,000 students, 8,800 teachers, and thousands of parents/families throughout the city and the greater metropolitan area.
Batisti believes “the CEP’s efforts will grow and expand into the future within New York City, nationally, and internationally, by sharing this model as a means to grow partnerships and learning.”
To officially commemorate this 17-year milestone, the CEP created an informational overview of its various programs, initiatives, and activities, all of which are listed below.
Three State-Funded Citywide Centers
Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN): Provides comprehensive support to districts and schools in New York City for English Language Learners and Multilingual Learners.
Established: 2006 | City-Wide Impact: 149,000 students
Community Schools Technical Assistance Center (CS-TAC): Provides quality guidance and training to all community schools throughout New York City.
Established: 2018 | City-Wide Impact: 421 schools; 126,500 students
Professional Development Resource Center (PDRC): Provides professional development to all religious and independent schools throughout New York City.
Established: 2019 | City-Wide Impact: 796 schools; 238,000 students
Two Federally-Funded Programs and a Partner Community School Serving the Bronx
STOP School Violence Project: Offers a U.S. Department of Justice-funded collaboration among Fordham University, Bronx public school districts, and the Office of School Safety.
Established: 2020 | Bronx-wide Impact: 24 schools; 7,200 students
Mental Health Awareness Training Project (MHAT): A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-funded initiative to recognize and better understand signs of mental illness in children.
Established: 2023 | Bronx-Wide Impact: 320 participants
Community School MS 331X: Bronx School of Young Leaders: Fordham’s CEP serves as the school’s Community Based Organization Partner, cultivating improvements in academic achievement and coordinating external community partnerships.
Established: 2015
Mathematics and Literacy Coaching Programs: Offers research-based, action-oriented coaching programs supporting K-12 classroom teachers and school building leaders.
Established: 2007 | City-Wide Impact: 4,500 students
