Torrence Williams, Director of Teacher Advancement at the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana, leads a professional learning module training for Louisiana's New Teacher Experience program.

The REL Program supports schools, districts, state education agencies, postsecondary institutions, and other education stakeholders nationwide in using data and evidence-based practice to improve opportunities and outcomes for learners. Because REL supports are 1) co-developed and executed through researcher-practitioner partnerships; 2) field-driven, and 3) integrate RELs' unique expertise in applied research, training, coaching, technical support, and dissemination, there is no such thing as a "typical" REL partnership, or partnership products. Each partnership is purpose-driven, with our partners' contexts, needs, and intended outcomes in mind.

As the 2022-2027 REL cycle moves forward, we are excited to share how the RELs are working with their partners to make a difference for learners they serve nationwide through the "RELs make a difference" blog series. Each blog will focus on a high-impact need and share stories of the partnerships, projects, and products the RELs are supporting with their local partners to address that need.

Check out our past "RELs make a difference" blogs below, and stay tuned for our upcoming blogs in this series. And if you would like to read additional stories and updates on REL work from your region, be sure to check out our regional blog page, sign up for your REL's newsflashes, and subscribe to your REL's newsletter by clicking the sign-up link at the bottom of each REL region's homepage.

Please feel free to reach out to me at Chris.Boccanfuso@ed.gov if you have any questions about these projects, or anything else REL-related.

• In this first of our "RELs Make a Difference" blog series, we highlight four of the many REL research and development partnerships focused on strengthening math and literacy outcomes. The highlighted partnerships support state- and district-level partners in Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
• In the second blog of our "RELs Make a Difference" series, we highlight four REL research and development partnerships that address educator recruitment and retention. The highlighted partnerships support state- and district-level partners in Alaska, Louisiana and South Dakota, as well as the Republic of Palau, a freely associated state in the Pacific region.
• In the third blog of our "RELs Make a Difference" series, guest author Nicassia Belton shares the stories of partnerships in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Montana where RELs supported state and local partners in developing and executing data-driven decision making processes. The highlighted partnerships leveraged the REL supports to inform decisions related to accountability measures, college and career readiness programs, and improving classroom-level early literacy practices.