Our Work
The SERVE Center works to positively impact the field of education by:
- Finding and translating the best current knowledge,
- Generating new knowledge, and
- Partnering with stakeholders to identify and apply best evidence to practice.
Our work is supported through federal, state, and local grants and contracts, and foundation funding.
The Regional Educational Laboratory Program (REL) consists of a network of ten laboratories that serve the educational needs of a designated region by providing access to high quality scientifically valid education research through applied research and development projects, studies, and other related technical assistance activities. SERVE operates the REL for the Southeast in the following two areas:
Our goal is to assist educators and policymakers in their efforts to apply the evidence base to decisions about policies, programs, and practices they encounter. We do this in the following ways:
- Issues & Answers - Reports answering questions from the field
- Request Desk – Ask the REL-SE
- Events – View upcoming SERVE Events
- Regional Focus – Explore the work we are doing in the Southeastern Region to bring the best available research and policy analysis to support state and district improvement efforts and identified needs. Learn more
Our goal is to conduct rigorous studies that address high priority issues that need testing to establish the effects of proposed policies, programs, or practices on academic achievement. These studies are designed to provide causally valid answers and must meet Institute of Education Sciences (IES) standards for field tests based on experimental designs. SERVE Center’s two current REL-SE studies are:
Educational leaders constantly face decisions about what to do to improve student motivation and learning. They need good information on which to base their decisions. SERVE’s goal is to support education leaders as they make informed decisions by offering the following:
SERVE has an established regional and national reputation for providing quality evaluation dedicated to improving education and continues to make import contributions to the education knowledge base. View a listing of our current evaluation activities.
Across the U.S. people are concerned about ensuring that all students graduate from high school prepared for work and further education. SERVE is making a major contribution in this area by conducting original research on high school reform efforts, by synthesizing the best of available research, and by helping schools and districts apply research to practice.
The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) is an information clearinghouse and technical assistance center in support of the homeless education community nationwide in the implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act (Title X, Part C of the No Child Left Behind Act).
The SERVE Center works with federal, state, and district agencies, and other education organizations to provide services in the area of research and development, evaluation, and professional development and technical assistance. View a listing of some of our current sponsored projects.