Collaborative Projects
Portrait of a Graduate
The Berkshire Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) is a significant cross-district collaboration reimagining what high school education can look like across Berkshire County. Developed with input from approximately 3,000 community members, students, and educators, the project brings together schools and districts around a shared vision and set of competencies defining what students should know and be able to do by the end of their PK-12 education. Spanning five districts and six high schools, the collaboration represents more than 60% of the region's PK-12 population. Through strengthened instructional practices and centering student voice, the collaboration of schools strive to create a more meaningful educational experience preparing all students to move confidently toward their next steps in college, career, and life.
BRAINworks
The Berkshire Regional Arts Integration Network (BRAINworks) is supported by two main pillars of activity: professional development (BRAINworks PD) and a professional learning network (BCAN). The work rests on a multi-layered foundation of research, strategic planning, and organizational collaboration.
Past Collaborative Projects
Berkshire Resources for Learning and Innovation (BRLI)
The Berkshire Remote Learning Initiative (BRLI) began in spring 2020 as a consortium of Berkshire County school districts partnering to adopt a shared learning management system (Canvas). Launched in response to COVID-19, the initiative aimed to ensure equitable access to high-quality online and remote learning for students across the region. Core goals included fostering strong connections among school districts, sharing a flexible and adaptable learning platform, cultivating virtual spaces for collaboration and professional development, and bringing schools and communities together to expand educational quality and address regional inconsistencies.
In 2022, BRLI evolved into Berkshire Resources for Learning and Innovation (BRLI), reflecting a broader focus on effective educational technology practices, professional development, and regional collaboration. That same year, and again in 2023, BRLI was awarded Building Capacity for Effective Ed Tech Use grants (FC124) from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
This grant-funded work centered on building educators' skills through effective ed tech use, lesson and unit design, and alignment to MA DLCS and ISTE standards. Recognizing the growing relevance of artificial intelligence in education, BRLI also introduced workshops on AI integration, tools, and practices, engaging expert presenters and organizations to help educators build foundational knowledge and confidence in applying AI in their work.
The collaboration supported cross-district collaboration and professional learning through a variety of formats, including drop-in sessions, short and long-form courses, regional convenings, and focused professional development tailored to the needs of partner districts.
BRLI Partner Districts included:
Berkshire Arts and Technology (BART) Public Charter School
Berkshire Hills Regional School District
Lee Public Schools
Lenox Public Schools
North Adams Public Schools
Pittsfield Public Schools
Richmond Consolidated School
Contact us for more information and resources related to BRLI