Regional Needs  |  Projects

Central: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming

REL Central identifies priority needs in the region for education research and technical assistance through a comprehensive review of state demographic and education system data; interviews with chief state school officers and key state agency staff; and ongoing contact with a variety of constituent groups, including policymakers, principals, and superintendents. Through the integration of these efforts, we have identified five priority needs to guide our work in the Central Region:

1. Research-based classroom practice
   Providing guidance on research-based classroom practices, especially those that meet the needs of diverse learners.
2. Rural education
   Meeting the needs of rural schools, particularly in the area of teacher recruitment and retention.
3. High school outcomes
   Addressing the need for high schools to adequately prepare students for the workforce or post-secondary education.
4. Educational technology
   Using technology to enhance classroom instruction.
5. Teacher Quality
   Strengthening teacher quality, particularly in light of NCLB’s “highly qualified” teacher requirement.