Database of Federally Funded Technical Assistance and Research Centers

CEEDAR Center: Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform

The CEEDAR Center: Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform Center (CEEDAR) is designed to help State Education Agencies (SEAs), Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) create aligned professional learning systems that provide teachers and leaders effective opportunities to learn how to improve core and specialized instruction in inclusive settings that enable students with disabilities to achieve college and career ready standards. The technical assistance (TA) effort is organized around universal, targeted, and intensive TA supports. AIR, as subcontractor to University of Florida, is taking the lead in intensive TA.

The Center provides intensive TA supports to 20 states. Intensive TA services, tailored to the needs of each state, seek to reform and align the areas of licensure standards, teacher and leader preparation and induction, and personnel evaluation data systems to inform preparation program improvement. CEEDAR provides responsive technical assistance through knowledge building of evidence-based research and practice. CEEDAR also supports implementation of the research into school-based instruction and practices through online tools and resources, leadership development, collaborative teams of stakeholders, and ongoing learning opportunities.

Director(s): Mary Brownell, University of Florida, Lynn Holdheide, AIR

Specialty Area

  • Alternative Routes to Certification
  • Education Leadership
  • Educator Preparation
  • Equity
  • Evidence Based Practices & Scaling Up
  • Multi-tiered Systems of Support
  • Personal Preparation
  • System Alignment

Primary Audience

  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Consulting
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation

Regions/States

National

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah

Level of Support

Tiered

Additional Information

Other Services Provided: CEEDAR operates in the policy lever areas of educator preparation reform; certification and licensure; and preparation program evaluation; approval; and/or review (including data systems). Additionally; we have areas of emphasis; within those policy areas that include data collection and use; state systems alignment; and equity and access.

Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy Center)

The Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems (DaSy Center) is a national technical assistance center funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). DaSy Center works with states to support IDEA early intervention and early childhood special education state programs in the development or enhancement of coordinated early childhood longitudinal data systems.

DaSy Canter provides technical assistance (TA) and resources to state agencies to assist with the development or enhancement of data systems for Part C early intervention and Part B preschool special education programs supported through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The DaSy Center collaborates with other projects to leverage what is known and generate new ideas and products to help state agencies create and expand early childhood cross-agency and longitudinal data systems that include the Part C and Part B preschool data needed to collect, analyze, and report high-quality data required under IDEA.  We offer a range of supports based on our clients needs including intensive and targeted TA as well as opportunities to join DaSy Center led communities of practice or attend webinars. 

Director(s): Kathleen Hebbler, Donna Spiker

Specialty Area

  • Data Systems
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Early Childhood Leadership
  • Education Leadership
  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Educator Preparation
  • Educator Retention
  • Evidence Based Practices & Scaling Up
  • Family Engagement
  • Measuring Student Growth
  • Multi-tiered Systems of Support
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Part B – 619
  • Part C
  • Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS)
  • Response to Intervention
  • Social and Emotional Learning
  • System Alignment

Primary Audience

  • Administrators
  • Families
  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Assessment Tools
  • Consulting
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation

Regions/States

National

All States

Level of Support

Tiered, Universal

Additional Information

Other Services Provided: National Technical Assistance (TA)

Other Specialty Areas: IDEA Part C Data Systems; IDEA Part B-619 Data Systems

IRIS Center

The IRIS Center is a national center dedicated to improving education outcomes for all children, especially those with disabilities, by developing free, online resources about effective evidence-based practices and interventions.

IRIS Modules, our center's signature resource, are developed using adult learning theory and translate the latest research findings into easily understandable, practitioner-friendly language in an interactive, engaging format. Other wraparound resources--case studies, information briefs, fundamental skill sheets, video vignettes--allow learners to delve into module topics in more depth.

Director(s): Naomi Tyler

Specialty Area

  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Educator Preparation
  • Educator Retention
  • Effective Instruction
  • Evidence Based Practices & Scaling Up
  • Intensive Supports
  • Measuring Student Growth
  • Multi-tiered Systems of Support
  • Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS)
  • Response to Intervention
  • Teacher Mentoring and Induction
  • Translating Research to Practice

Primary Audience

  • Administrators
  • School Counselors
  • Teachers

Services

  • Content Expertise
  • Research

Regions/States

National

All States

Level of Support

Universal

Additional Information

Other Audiences: College and university faculty; professional development providers

Other Services Provided: Free; online; interactive resources

Other Specialty Areas: Accommodations; assessment; assistive technology; collaboration; content instruction; differentiated instruction; disability; diversity; juvenile corrections; learning strategies; mathematics; reading/literacy/language arts; related services; school improvement/leadership; secondary transition

Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center

The Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center is one of four regional Equity Assistance Centers. This center is funded by the United States Department of Education under Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The center provides technical assistance and training, upon request, in the areas of race, sex, national origin and religion to public school districts and other responsible governmental agencies to promote equitable education opportunities. Work focuses on the areas of civil rights, equity, and school reform.

Director(s): Kathleen King Thorius, Ph.D., Seena Skelton, Ph.D.

Specialty Area

  • Alternative Routes to Certification
  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Equity
  • Family Engagement
  • School Climate & Behavior
  • School Mental Health
  • System Alignment

Primary Audience

  • School Districts
  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Coaching
  • Consulting
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation
  • Research

Regions/States

Midwest

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin

Level of Support

Tiered

Additional Information

Technical Assistance Centers

Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest

Regional Educational Lab (REL) Midwest partners with key stakeholders in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin to develop evidence that can inform consequential decisions about policy, programs, and practice. Key stakeholders include organizations with decision-making authority and the ability to influence education policy and practice, such as state and local education agencies, school boards, institutes of higher education, and student, family, and community organizations. RELs partner with these organizations on applied research and development; training, coaching and technical supports; and dissemination.

Director(s): Carrie Scholz, Director

Specialty Area

  • 21st Century Skills
  • Alternative Routes to Certification
  • Career and Technical Education
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Early Childhood Leadership
  • Education Leadership
  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Educator Preparation
  • Equity
  • Evidence Based Practices & Scaling Up
  • Organizational Leadership
  • School Climate & Behavior
  • Social and Emotional Learning
  • System Alignment
  • Teacher Mentoring and Induction

Primary Audience

  • Administrators
  • School Districts
  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Assessment Tools
  • Coaching
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation
  • Research

Regions/States

Midwest

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin

Level of Support

Intensive

Additional Information

Other Specialty Areas: Educational Technology

Regional Educational Laboratory Mid-Atlantic

The Regional Educational Laboratory Mid-Atlantic (REL Mid-Atlantic) is one of 10 research centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences to partner with stakeholders in using evidence to improve teaching, learning, and school leadership. REL Mid-Atlantic translates research to practice in partnership with policymakers and practitioners in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Based on regional needs they provide training, coaching, and technical support to help apply high-quality evidence to education improvement initiatives. The lab also conducts, applies, and disseminates research and research-based technical assistance in collaboration with stakeholders in the region to promote continuous improvement of educational practice.

Based on the input from the region the work takes many forms:

  • Partnerships and alliances are formed and evolve
  • Conduct research studies to answer pressing questions for stakeholders in the region
  • Publications are released based on research studies conducted
  • Coaching and technical support workshops are collaborative activities conducted with stakeholders
  • Events are designed and supported to meet the needs of the region
  • Tools are developed through the work with stakeholders
  • Ask A REL responses are provided to inquiries from the region
Director(s): Brian Gill, Ph.D., J.D.

Specialty Area

  • Alternative Routes to Certification
  • Career and Technical Education
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Early Childhood Leadership
  • Education Leadership
  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Educator Preparation
  • Educator Retention
  • Equity
  • Evidence Based Practices & Scaling Up
  • Family Engagement
  • Measuring Student Growth
  • Multi-tiered Systems of Support
  • Organizational Leadership
  • School Climate & Behavior
  • Social and Emotional Learning
  • Teacher Mentoring and Induction

Primary Audience

  • Administrators
  • School Districts
  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Assessment Tools
  • Coaching
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation
  • Research

Regions/States

Northeast

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Level of Support

Intensive

Additional Information

No additional information provided

Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest

The Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest (REL Northwest) is operated by Education Northwest in Portland, Oregon. REL Northwest focuses on building the capacity of stakeholders in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington to use data and evidence to inform decisions related to their specific education-related needs.

REL Northwest's services include the provision of training, coaching, and technical support; conducting applied research studies; and disseminating information in various content areas, but particularly in five high-leverage areas of need in the region: equitable start in learning, appropriate supports for English learners, high school graduation and post-secondary education success, supply and development of effective educators, and accountability system design and implementation.

The majority of our work is currently conducted with stakeholders in 12 research partnerships throughout the region. However, REL Northwest also conducts work with stakeholders that are not affiliated with a particular research partnership.

Director(s): Christopher Mazzeo, Director, Fiona Helsel, Deputy Director

Specialty Area

  • Alternative Routes to Certification
  • Career and Technical Education
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Early Childhood Leadership
  • Education Leadership
  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Educator Preparation
  • Educator Retention
  • English Language Learners
  • Equity
  • Evidence Based Practices & Scaling Up
  • Organizational Leadership
  • P-3 Systems (Prenatal to Grade 3)
  • Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS)
  • School Climate & Behavior
  • School Mental Health
  • Social and Emotional Learning
  • System Alignment

Primary Audience

  • Administrators
  • School Districts
  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Assessment Tools
  • Coaching
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation
  • Research

Regions/States

Northwest

Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington

Level of Support

Intensive

Additional Information

Other Services Provided: Dissemination of tools and research

Other Specialty Areas: STEM

Regional Educational Laboratory Southwest

Regional Educational Laboratory Southwest (REL Southwest) provides research, technical support, and dissemination activities to State Education Agencies (SEAs) and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in our region to improve the use of data and research evidence to inform practice and policy decisions.

Director(s): Michael Vaden-Kiernan, Director, Lynn Mellor, Deputy Director

Specialty Area

  • Career and Technical Education
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Early Childhood Leadership
  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Educator Preparation
  • Educator Retention
  • English Language Learners
  • Evidence Based Practices & Scaling Up

Primary Audience

  • Administrators
  • School Districts
  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Assessment Tools
  • Coaching
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation
  • Research

Regions/States

Southwest

Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Level of Support

Intensive

Additional Information

Other Specialty Areas: College and Career Readiness; Teacher Preparation and Professional Development; Early Childhood Education; Networked Improvement Communities; and School Improvement

Regional Educational Laboratory Pacific

The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Pacific translates research to practice in partnership with policymakers and practitioners in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Director(s): Phillip Herman, Ph.D.

Specialty Area

  • Career and Technical Education
  • Cross-Disciplinary Competencies
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Education Leadership
  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Educator Preparation
  • Educator Retention
  • Evidence Based Practices & Scaling Up
  • Family Engagement
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Social and Emotional Learning
  • System Alignment
  • Teacher Mentoring and Induction
  • Transitions (from grade to grade)

Primary Audience

  • Administrators
  • School Districts
  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Assessment Tools
  • Coaching
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation
  • Research

Regions/States

Pacific Islands

American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands

Level of Support

Intensive

Additional Information

Other Specialty Areas: College readiness; Developmental education; Culturally responsive education

Regional Educational Laboratory Central

Regional Educational Lab (REL) Central partners with key stakeholders in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Standing Rock Reservation, and Wyoming to develop evidence that can inform consequential decisions about policy, programs, and practice. Key stakeholders include organizations with decision-making authority and the ability to influence education policy and practice, such as state and local education agencies, school boards, institutes of higher education, and student, family, and community organizations. RELs partner with these organizations on applied research and development; training, coaching and technical supports; and dissemination.

Director(s): Phillip Herman, Director

Specialty Area

  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Educator Preparation
  • Educator Retention
  • Equity
  • Evidence Based Practices & Scaling Up
  • Family Engagement
  • Teacher Mentoring and Induction

Primary Audience

  • Administrators
  • School Districts
  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Assessment Tools
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation
  • Research

Regions/States

Midwest

Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

Level of Support

Intensive

Additional Information

Other Specialty Areas: Rural Education; American Indian Education; School Improvement; Innovative Schools

Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands

Regional Educational Lab (REL) Northeast & Islands partners with key stakeholders in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virgin Islands to develop evidence that can inform consequential decisions about policy, programs, and practice. Key stakeholders include organizations with decision-making authority and the ability to influence education policy and practice, such as state and local education agencies, school boards, institutes of higher education, and student, family, and community organizations. RELs partner with these organizations on applied research and development; training, coaching and technical supports; and dissemination.

Director(s): Jessica Bailey, Director

Specialty Area

  • 21st Century Skills
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Early Childhood Leadership
  • Education Leadership
  • Educator Effectiveness
  • Educator Preparation
  • Educator Retention
  • English Language Learners
  • Response to Intervention
  • School Climate & Behavior
  • Social and Emotional Learning
  • Teacher Mentoring and Induction

Primary Audience

  • Administrators
  • School Districts
  • State Education Agencies

Services

  • Assessment Tools
  • Coaching
  • Content Expertise
  • Convening Stakeholders
  • Facilitation
  • Research

Regions/States

Northeast

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont

Level of Support

Intensive

Additional Information

No additional information provided