East Bay Educational Collaborative RI

In 2016 though 2019 EBEC received grants from the U.S. Office of Naval Research and has provided teachers in over 45 high schools approximately $1,000,000 total in free NGSS STEM resources and professional development for Physics, Chemistry, Earth & Space Sciences, and Biology,, PD, with stipends to teachers for implementation research.

EBEC is also currently in partnership with the US Math Recovery Council provided trainings for Math teachers.

Other partnerships include Lab-Aids, Woods Hole Oceanographic, JASON Learning, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

History of East Bay Educational Collaborative:

In 1989 EBEC was established by the R.I. Legislature as one of four regional collaboratives. Services began with grant funding to provide collaborative services in Science and Mathematics headed up by Ron DeFronzo and Judy Droitcour. In 1990 they continued working to improve and promote Math and Science teaching in collaboration with other districts.

By 1995 EBEC, with a KITES grant, we began to implement Science Kit inquiry based, hands on resources to make education most effective in the time allotted for science class. At that time EBEC provided science kits to its eight member districts, housed in a 30 x 50 foot library basement. By the fall of 1996 it had outgrown that space and moved to our current location 317 Market Street in Warren where we currently provide & refurbish kits using a warehouse that is half an acre in size

In 1993 the Husky alternative program was created in a local high school in order to provide an alternative learning environment to students who were not finding success with traditional education. That program established a much needed model of support for high school students that were not successful and on track to graduate. It found quick success. Before long Husky outgrew the space provided in the High school, and Mr. A. William Josephs & Gerald Kowalczyk found that their missions aligned and The East Bay Educational Collaborative moved into the EBEC building. From a staff of 4 with 12 enrolled to a staff of 15 and 65 enrolled.

In 2004 EBEC professional development support for all content areas and the MRC for science materials was charged with an expanded mission by its Board of Directors. Having developed a successful model of recognized support for all its services to its original eight member districts, the Board established an Office of Client Services. It then hired Ron Kahn who had been serving as a high school science specialist, to be Director of Client Services and market offerings of all services to a regional market in New England. Since that time services are now offered across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and in New Hampshire.

Currently, Donna Ottaviano, Ed.D. the EBEC Executive Director for the past six years has expanded services to include involvement with the R.I. School Superintendents Association. Donna was a former Superintendent of the Year and served on the RISSA board of directors. She has promoted the expansion of the EBEC

Since its founding EBEC has received numerous recognition awards and grants. It was recognized by the Governor’s Blue Print Commission on STEM education for its outstanding science program support. Additionally, grants were received