CRJ Leads Evaluation of Boston-based Reciprocity Project with the help of the Chan Zuckerberg Institute Grant

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Professors Jamila Lyiscott and Betsy McEneaney, along with a team of doctoral students, have embarked on a significant 3-year, $1.5 million project funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. This grant, housed within the College of Education’s Center of Racial Justice and Youth-Engaged Research at UMass, aims to evaluate and provide technical support for the Boston-based Center for Collaborative Education’s (CCE) “Reciprocity Project: Measures that Matter.” 

The Reciprocity Project is an innovative initiative that brings together students, families, educators, and community leaders from select Boston neighborhoods. Its goal is to develop new indicators of public-school success that extend beyond traditional metrics like standardized test scores. By focusing on a broader range of success measures, the project seeks to create a more comprehensive understanding of educational achievement. 

The UMass team, led by Professors Lyiscott and McEneaney, will play a crucial role as thought partners, offering intellectual and strategic support. Additionally, they will coordinate videography and website work to document and share the efforts and progress of the Reciprocity Project. Guided by data, CCE plans to develop programs that support growth in these newly identified areas of success. 

This grant underscores a significant investment in educational equity and innovation, aiming to foster environments where all students can thrive. By involving the community and focusing on diverse metrics, the Reciprocity Project hopes to redefine what it means for a school to be successful.