The Central Region Educational Laboratory (REL Central) is one of 10 regional educational laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences.
REL Central, which is administered by McREL, provides educators in the seven-state Central region (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming) with high-quality, scientifically-valid research and technical assistance.
Responding to Regional Needs
REL Central responds to regional needs through applied research and technical assistance. We also monitor questions and information requests that regional constituents place with our reference desk. We provide
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- Fast Response Research projects on topics of importance to educators in the region.
- Randomized Controlled Trial Studies on the effects of school improvement interventions.
- Technical Assistance, guided by our state liaisons, to help educators and policymakers use research to meet the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act.
- Responses to Requests for information and guidance through the REL Central Reference Desk.
- Support to the National Laboratory Network through collaborative initiatives.
Addressing Critical Issues
The REL Central program of research and service focuses on five issues of critical importance to Central Region educators and policymakers. These issues were identified through input from educator surveys conducted for REL Central by the Gallup Organization, needs assessment meetings with educators from across the region, and feedback from REL Central's board of directors and the reference desk.
REL Central's identified high priority needs are:
- classroom instruction, especially for diverse learners;
- rural education, particularly in the area of teacher recruitment and retention;
- ensuring that high school graduates are prepared for the workforce or post-secondary education;
- using technology to enhance classroom instruction; and
- improving teacher quality.
