Ask A REL
Ask A REL is a collaborative reference desk service provided by the 10 Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) and functions much in the same way as a technical reference library. It provides references, referrals, and brief responses in the form of citations on research-based education questions.
Want to submit a question? Send us an email.
American Indians
College and Career Readiness
- October 2021 – Benefits of Effective Middle School or High School Counseling and Advising Practices for Secondary and Postsecondary Success
- September 2021 – Strategies for Culturally Responsive Virtual Instruction/Digital Learning
- June 2020 – Relationship between participation in CTE/STEM pathways programs and high school and postsecondary outcomes
- June 2020 – Practices that Promote Equity in Enrollment in Honors and Advanced Courses
- April 2019 – Strategies for Implementing Individual Learning Plans
- December 2018 – Near-Peer Advising Programs
Charter Schools
- September 2018 – Strategies for Managing Charter School Expansion
Data Use
Discipline and School Climate
- March 2021 – Role of Exclusionary Discipline Policies and Practices on Student Achievement
- August 2020 – Evidence-Based Practices for Reducing the Use of Suspensions
- June 2020 – Effectiveness of School-Based Mental Health Resources or Programs for Promoting Safe and Supportive Schools
- April 2020 – Effectiveness of School-Based Bullying and Violence Prevention Programs
- September 2018 – Social and Emotional Learning and Reduced Behavioral Issues
Early Childhood
- February 2021 – Benefits of Transitional Kindergarten Programs
- September 2019 – Physical Activity and Academic Achievement in the Early Years
- June 2019 – Administration and Use of Early Childhood Assessments
- September 2018 – Effects of Arts-Integrated Education on PreK Mathematics
- August 2018 – K–2 Indicators Predictive of Later Performance
Education Technology
- October 2019 – Impact of Devices on Student Achievement in Middle School
Educator Effectiveness
- November 2021 – Effective Programs for Preparing New Principals
- September 2021 – Rural Teachers’ Access to Instructional Coaching
- July 2020 – Approaches for Training and Supporting Teachers with Implementation of Next Generation Science Standards
- June 2020 – Effective Strategies for Virtual Job-Embedded Professional Learning for School and District Staff
- November 2019 – Benefits of Participating in Professional Learning Communities
- October 2019 – Effect of Performance-Based Teacher Certification on Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Effectiveness
- June 2019 – Successful Family Engagement Strategies
- May 2019 – Principal and Teacher Tasks
- February 2019 – Relationship Between Students’ Adult Relationships at School and Student Outcomes
- January 2019 – Teacher Licensure Exams and Teacher Effectiveness
- December 2018 – Supports for Teacher Licensure Exams
English Learners
- April 2021 – Observed Effects of ESL Certification on Student Outcomes and Teacher Evaluation Ratings
- January 2021 – Gifted and Talented English Learner Students
- May 2019 – Biliteracy Seal High School Diploma Programs
- February 2019 – Evidence-Based Practices and Programs for English Language Students
- June 2018 – Newcomer Program Outcomes for Students with Lower English Proficiency
Literacy
- June 2018 – Effective Reading Interventions for Secondary Students
- June 2018 – Impact of Literature Discussion Circles
- May 2018 – Enhancing Reading for Students with Dyslexia
Math
- August 2021 – Effectiveness of Universal Design for Learning in Secondary Education Mathematics
- May 2021 – Increasing High School Math Achievement in High-Poverty or High-Minority Schools
- June 2020 – Relationship between participation in CTE/STEM pathways programs and high school and postsecondary outcomes
- January 2019 – Interventions for Enhancing Learner Engagement in Algebra I
- September 2018 – Effects of Arts-Integrated Education on PreK Mathematics
Online Courses
Postsecondary
Principals
- November 2021 – Effective Programs for Preparing New Principals
- May 2019 – Principal and Teacher Tasks
- June 2018 – Principal Preparation
- June 2018 – Effects of Principal and Superintendent Certification or Accreditation Policies
Rural
- September 2021 – Rural Teachers’ Access to Instructional Coaching
School Improvement
- November 2019 – Effects of Whole School Reform
Social and Emotional Learning
- June 2020 – Approaches to Support School Recovery and Reopening and Students’ Social and Emotional Needs After a Natural Disaster
- June 2020 – Effectiveness of School-Based Mental Health Resources or Programs for Prevention of Suicide and Depression
- June 2020 – Effectiveness of School-Based Mental Health Resources or Programs for Promoting Safe and Supportive Schools
- February 2019 – Relationship Between Students’ Adult Relationships at School and Student Outcomes
- February 2019 – Relationship Between Student Agency at School and Student Outcomes
Special Education and Mental Health
Teacher Preparation
- January 2021 – Supports for Superintendent Career Pathways
- January 2020 – Teacher Preparation Programs: Entry, Recruitment, and Retainment
- May 2019 – Effects of Alternative and Emergency Teacher Certification Routes
Teacher Recruitment
- January 2021 – Supports for Superintendent Career Pathways
Teacher Workforce
- October 2019 – Characteristics of Returning Teachers
- November 2018 – Strategies for Increasing High Schoolers’ Interest in Teaching
- November 2018 – Strategies for Increasing Educator Diversity
- May 2018 – Effect of Class Size on Learning
Other
- March 2021 – Attendance in Middle and High School: Role on Student Achievement and Effective Strategies for Improvement
- June 2020 – Approaches to Support School Recovery and Reopening and Students’ Social and Emotional Needs After a Natural Disaster
- June 2020 – Practices that Promote Equity in Enrollment in Honors and Advanced Courses
- January 2020 – Interim Assessments
- September 2019 – Physical Activity and Academic Achievement in the Early Years
- August 2019 – Extended Learning Time Programs