The regional educational laboratories are engaged in a major dissemination effort across their regions to share the latest findings from IES evaluation research and reviews of "what works" with practitioners. The REL events are innovative, interactive forums with education practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.
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. The REL events are designed to introduce the latest evidence on selected topics, helpful for all committed to getting the most educational value from education dollars.
News From The RELs
REL 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.Sign up for the IES Newsflash to receive REL reports.