What's New?

The Berkshire Compact for Education is a county-wide initiative focused on promoting a continuum of education in Berkshire County.  The Compact serves all Berkshire County residents, with the premise that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, should have the opportunity to aspire to higher education.

Today, the Compact is focused on raising the aspirations of our residents to view a minimum of 16 years of education or training as the norm; providing them with access to education; and encouraging them to obtain the skills, technologies and tools they need to enjoy all the opportunities presented by the new economy of Berkshire County.  This work supports Governor Patrick's ambitious education action agenda, Ready for 21st Century Success.

Reach Out! For Education

Eloise Stevens and Sue Doucette discuss strategies for preparing your child to start preschool and kindergarten.  Tune into Pittsfield ETV. 

Student Town Meetings

ANY SCHOOLS THAT WISH TO DO A STUDENT TOWN MEETING IN THE UPCOMING YEAR SHOULD CONTACT MARY NASH, MARY.NASH3@VERIZON.NET.   

The Berkshire Compact has sponsored three student town meetings this year at which high school students discussed current issues.  Drury High School students discussed capital punishment on February 12, BART students held a town meeting on The American Dream on April 30 and Lenox High School students discussed  health care reform on May 7.  see Berkshire Eagle article

Berkshire Youth Leadership Program

The first class of the Berkshire Youth Leadership Program will start in August 2010.  Twenty-six students have been accepted into the program and will attend an opening retreat at MCLA from August 21 - 23.  This is a collaboration between the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Compact. 

Berkshire County Goes to College

Nearly 1,300 sixth graders visited Berkshire County's four higher education institutions as part of the Compact's Berkshire County Goes to College Week, April 12 - 16.  See press release.

Third Graders Visit MCLA

On December 3 and 4, the third grade classes from the Adams-Cheshire and North Adams School Districts visited the MCLA campus and learned college life is all about.   They saw the MCLA TV studio and also saw demonstrations from theatre, biology, chemistry and English faculty.