SERVE Center and the Regional Education Laboratory – Southeast (REL-SE)

At the core of the SERVE Center’s diverse portfolio is the operation of the Regional Educational Laboratory for the Southeast (REL-SE). Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, the REL-SE is 1 of 10 laboratories that conduct research and provide evidence-based information and services to specific regions of the country. Working within their respective regions, these 10 laboratories serve all 50 U.S. states and territories. They form a nationwide research network to serve the education community by providing access to high-quality, scientifically valid education research through applied research and development projects, studies, and other related technical assistance activities. REL-SE at the SERVE Center administers services to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

What is the purpose of the SERVE Center? www.serve.org

The SERVE Center is committed to improving education for all students by:

  • Building new knowledge through rigorous and relevant research;
  • Promoting “best practices” and offering accessible and user-friendly resources and services;
  • Transforming knowledge into action through quality professional development and hands-on technical assistance for educational professionals.

What is the mission of REL-SE?

To serve the educational needs of the Southeast by using applied research, development, dissemination, training, and technical assistance to bring the latest and best research and proven practices into school improvement efforts.

What are some resources available to educators?

  1. The IES What Works Clearinghouse (WCC) Practice Guides which synthesize the research on 14 topics, with 2 new Guides released in 2010:
    • Teaching Fractions K-8
    • Teaching Reading Comprehension K-3
  2. The IES What Works Clearinghouse Intervention Reports evaluate published research on curricula/instructional strategies in 11 areas. Learn more about an intervention (educational program, product, practice or policy). Search for an intervention within specific topic areas:
    • Beginning reading, Adolescent literacy
    • Elementary, middle, and high school math
    • SWD and early childhood education for SWD (new!)
    • ELLs
    • Early childhood education
    • Dropout prevention
    • Character education
  3. The IES Doing What Works translates research-based practices (from WWC) into practical tools to improve instruction and provides 4 types of resources for each topic:
    • Practice Summary: Overview of a practice and see the issues it addresses
    • Learn What Works: Research base behind the practice
    • See How It Works: Examples of schools engaged in these practices
    • Do What Works: Tools to improve your own practice

These include publications, classroom videos, interviews with experts, actual teaching tools and templates. Main areas each have from 1-5 topics within: Data-driven improvement, Quality teaching, Literacy, Math and science, Comprehensive support, Early childhood.  NEW resources have been posted for:

Who is our contact in Georgia?

Dr. Kim Anderson is the Georgia Liaison for REL-SE.  Over the last five years she has worked closely with the SSTAGE organization, providing research and guidance on topics related to SST and RTI. She has presented at several SSTAGE Conferences and authored an informative Elluminate Live! webinar on Using Research to Select and Design Effective Interventions.

Dr. Anderson can be reached at:  kanderson@serve.org / 404-657-6174