Regional Education Laboratories: Home Page

The Regional Educational Laboratory Program (REL) consists of a network of ten laboratories that serve the educational needs of a designated region by providing access to high quality scientifically valid education research through applied research and development projects, studies, and other related technical assistance activities.

Parent Involvement Strategies in Urban Middle and High Schools in the Northeast and Island Region (Apr 27)
This report summarizes efforts to develop and pilot test a protocol for collecting information about parent involvement policies, practices, and programs being implemented at the middle and high school levels. » more info

Report: West Virginia's Progress Toward Universal Prekindergarten (Apr 13)
REL Appalachia has released a new report: "West Virginia's Progress Toward Universal Prekindergarten." The report examines rates of participation in West Virginia's universal, voluntary prekindergarten program from 2002/03 to 2006/07. » more info

The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance Releases a REL Report on Adolescent Literacy (Apr 6)
This report describes efforts by five states--Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Rhode Island--to improve adolescent literacy. » more info

How Eight State Education Agencies in the Northeast and Islands Region Identify and Support Low-Performing Schools and Districts (Mar 2)
This report describes and analyzes how eight state education agencies in the Northeast and Islands Region--those of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Vermont--identify and support low-performing schools and districts under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. » more info

New Measures of English Language Proficiency and Their Relationship to Performance on Large-Scale Content Assessments (Jan 26)
Using assessment results for 5th and 8th grade English language learner students in three Northeast and Island Region states, the report finds that the English language domains of reading and writing (as measured by a proficiency assessment) are significant predictors of performance on reading, writing, and mathematics assessments and that the domains of reading and writing (literacy skills) are more closely associated with performance than are the English language domains of speaking and listening (oral skills). » more info

Archive | Calendar of Events

Experts bring Evidence to Practitioners (EEP) — A REL initiative focused on evidence that matters for wise use of education dollars.

The regional educational laboratories are engaged in a major dissemination effort across their regions to bring the latest findings from IES evaluation research and reviews of "what works" to practitioners. EEP events are innovative, interactive forums combining IES experts with education practitioners and policymakers.

These times of funding uncertainties lead many to ask what research evidence exists that can inform decisions, such as the use of federal education stimulus funds or the policy and practice options at the school, district, or state level. EEP forums introduce the latest evidence on selected topics, helpful for all committed to getting the most educational value from education dollars.

Click here to view EEP Events Calendar

News From The RELs

EEP Event Draws National Audience — "Do we have to provide a label for a child to give the services he or she needs?" asked Dr. Alexa Posny a presenter at REL Southeast's recent conference, Using Research to Strengthen Response to Intervention (RtI) Decisionmaking and Implementation. More than150 participants, including representatives of the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, and local education agencies from 35 states addressed this and other key questions at the March 2009 event. The conference also drew participation and collaboration from nine of the ten RELs and Comprehensive Regional Assistance Centers. (more info)

Media attention paid to a recent REL West study illustrates the relevance and timeliness of REL's research agenda. "Reenrollment of High School Dropouts in a Large, Urban School District" (REL 2008 – No. 056) garnered in-depth coverage in Education Week and Education Daily, as well as several stories in a local San Bernardino, California newspaper, the Press-Enterprise. The REL West study followed a cohort of first-time ninth graders in California's seventh largest school district, the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD), to answer the question, what happens to high school dropouts who reenroll? (more info)

Research about high–risk student populations was the focus of REL Northeast and Islands’ second Policy Challenges Conference, held at the Providence Biltmore Hotel, Providence, RI on March 5 and 6, 2008. Over 100 educators, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders representing all states and jurisdictions in the REL Northeast & Islands region attended the conference. (more info)

REL Reports

The regional educational laboratories provide research–based technical assistance to educators and policymakers though applied research and development that include rigorous studies and fast response projects. The reports that result from fast response projects has been turned into two ongoing web-based series—Issues & Answers and REL Technical Briefs. The overall intent for both series of reports is to provide educators and policymakers with credible scientifically based research on a regular basis. All Issues & Answers and REL Technical Briefs are required to undergo external peer review to ensure that these reports meet the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) standards for scientifically valid research before being published online.

REL Headlines

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