San Rafael, CA (August 25, 2026)
As school districts across New York consider how the State’s Portrait of a Graduate and the broader NY Inspires transformations can take shape in local classrooms, Ulster BOCES has expanded its range of professional learning and instructional support available to its component school districts through a new partnership with PBLWorks.
As part of that work, PBLWorks will provide Project Based Learning resources, professional learning, and implementation support to interested New York school districts through a cooperative service available through Ulster BOCES Educator Edge’s Signature Series.
Bridging Policy and Classroom Practice
Through this partnership with Ulster BOCES, New York public school districts gain access to PBLWorks' Gold Standard PBL framework, tailored professional learning, and PBLWorks TEACH–an online resource featuring ready-to-use, Gold Standard, standards-aligned project units with embedded instructional guidance. To support sustainable adoption, Ulster BOCES specifically emphasized the integration of TEACH into the partnership as a key solution for schools and districts to scale PBL and realize the NY Portrait of a Graduate. The initiative equips educators and administrators with practical tools to develop essential student competencies and build lasting PBL cultures across urban and regional school systems, with scalable subscription and professional development options.
“A Portrait of a Graduate only fulfills its purpose when educators have the tools and strategies needed to bring those competencies to life in the classroom every day,” said Bob Lenz, CEO of PBLWorks. “PBLWorks is honored to partner with Ulster BOCES and leaders across New York to turn the vision of NY Inspires into daily practice through Gold Standard Project Based Learning.”
A Unified Roadmap for Statewide Impact
At the center of this collaboration is a shared commitment to equity, deeper learning, and sustainable implementation:
Flexible Access: Ulster BOCES districts may access PBLWorks resources including TEACH subscriptions and professional learning, through Educator Edge at Ulster BOCES. Other districts outside the Ulster BOCES region have the option to participate through New York’s BOCES cross-contracting process, eliminating complex standalone purchasing.
Evidence-Based and Research-Backed Pedagogy: Gold Standard PBL gives teachers the instructional framework needed to build deep academic mastery and Portrait of a Graduate success skills simultaneously.
“NY Inspires provides an extraordinary opportunity for every school community to think deeply about what students need to know, experience, and be able to do,” said Dr. Jonah Schenker, District Superintendent of Ulster BOCES. “There will not be one program or one pathway that gets us there. Our role at Ulster BOCES is to help our districts build the capacity to design approaches that reflect their students, their communities, and their aspirations. PBLWorks brings well-developed Project Based Learning expertise and resources to that work, and we are pleased to make those supports available within our ecosystem of professional learning through our Educator Edge Signature Series.”
Take the Next Step
School leaders, district administrators, and BOCES superintendents ready to prevent the Portrait of a Graduate from being just a pretty picture can explore TEACH and available professional development programs and cross-contracting options by visiting pblworks.org.
About PBLWorks
The Buck Institute for Education/PBLWorks believes that all students, especially Black and Brown students, should have access to high-quality Project Based Learning to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life. Its focus is on building the capacity of teachers to design and facilitate high-quality Project Based Learning, and on supporting school and system leaders in creating the conditions for these teachers to succeed with all students.
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