October 15, 2014 Update

Child Development Center at Teaching Research Institute Receives a 5-Star Quality Rating

The Child Development Center at Teaching Research Institute has earned the highest quality rating for child care programs in the state through Oregon’s Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS). Housed on the campus of Western Oregon University, the TRI-CDC is the first 5-star rated child care program in Polk County, and is now one of only 26 of the highest rated programs in the state.

“Everything we do is based on the knowledge that the first years of life build the foundation for lifelong learning and success. That’s why we are among the first early learning programs in Oregon to receive this highest QRIS rating." - Ingrid Amerson, Child Development Center Director

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Project PEPI Widens Reach of Inclusion in Oregon's Early Childhood Education

Project PEPI (Preparing Early Childhood Educators for Inclusion) is designed to fill in the gaps that currently exist in Early Childhood Education curriculum in Oregon’s community colleges to support the inclusion of children with disabilities and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.

After a successful roll-out of a pilot program within four Oregon community colleges, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP – a division of the US Department of Education) decided to expand the program and has increased funding to Project PEPI by $90,000.00 for the 2014-15 academic year. This increase is allowing the project to add three additional community colleges, nearly doubling its reach. 

"The additional funds, and the subsequent ability to include three more community colleges to the development of these enhancements, will help ensure the sustainability of this project. We are hoping that getting wider input will mean that the enhancements we are creating will be valuable to other community colleges in Oregon, and eventually used by all them." -Dr. Patricia M. Blasco, PEPI Project Director

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Teaching Research Institute among Top Workplaces in Oregon

Based on the largest-ever survey of U.S. companies, Workplace Dynamics, LLP has named Teaching Research Institute (TRI) as one of the top workplaces in Oregon for 2014. In the category of not-for-profit organizations with fewer than 150 employees, TRI made the list of the top 45 (ranking at 33).

The Teaching Research Institute houses seven Centers that conduct work in a variety of educational and human service fields that serve to improve the quality of life for all individuals. Funded through external grants and contracts, the Centers conduct programs of research, develop evidence-based interventions that are provided through technical assistance and professional development, and increase system capacity to effect change.

“We have worked hard to establish TRI as a statewide and national leader in the field of education. It’s wonderful to realize that that work also translates into job satisfaction.” -Dr. Ella Taylor, TRI Director

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