Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest (REL Midwest)

Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest (REL Midwest) partners with state and local education agencies and other key stakeholders across the Midwest to use evidence to improve policy and practice. Serving Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, REL Midwest works collaboratively with policymakers and practitioners to identify the most pressing education priorities in each state. 

Through technical assistance, applied research, and strategic dissemination, REL Midwest supports agencies to develop and apply evidence to consequential decisions about these priorities, with an abiding focus on improving student outcomes.

REL Midwest is one of 10 Regional Educational Laboratories funded by the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education. AIR has led REL Midwest since 1984.

Projects conducted by REL Midwest during its current contract focus on high-priority education needs in the region including:

• Middle school math instruction and learning;
• Career pathways and work-based learning opportunities;
• Student belonging and absenteeism;
• Teacher pipelines; and

• Evidence-based literacy instruction.