Joni Wackwitz
Associated IES Content
Blog
Preparing students for the careers of tomorrow: New documentary spotlights work-based learning
A public television program, produced by REL Midwest and Ball State PBS, spotlights three Indiana high schools using innovative approaches to work-based learning to prepare students for the careers of tomorrow.
Date published:
May 21, 2024
Blog
REL Southwest study informs policy to promote more equitable funding levels for Texas community colleges
This blog post highlights how a REL Southwest study informed state policy to promote more equitable funding levels for Texas community colleges.
Date published:
Oct 24, 2023
Blog
Sowing culturally responsive educators to cultivate success for Indigenous students
At two recent events, REL Southwest hosted researchers and education leaders to generate discussion about leadership practices and teacher preparation strategies that support and sustain culturally responsive teaching in schools that serve Indigenous youth.
Date published:
Sep 01, 2023
Blog
On the job: Increasing student participation in immersive work based learning
With support from REL Midwest, leaders at Indianapolis Public Schools used surveys and process mapping to gain insight into their students' main barriers to work-based learning and then developed action plans to target those barriers.
Date published:
Aug 11, 2023
Blog
Gaining real-world experience: Strengthening career pathways through work-based learning
Leaders in Indiana's state agencies have identified CTE and work-based learning as education priorities.
Date published:
Feb 16, 2023
Blog
The Teaching Fractions Toolkit: Equipping educators to develop effective grade 6 instruction in fractions
A strong understanding of fractions lays the groundwork for later success in mathematics...
Date published:
Jul 12, 2022
Blog
Resource roundup: Strategies to strengthen family outreach and engagement to support student learning
Extensive research indicates that developing strong partnerships among schools, families, and the community can benefit student learning, both in the classroom and at home. As educators address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for engaging and empowering families is greater than ever. To support educators in using evidence-based engagement practices, we rounded up recent research and resources on the topic from across the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) network a...
Date published:
Feb 25, 2022
Blog
The Midwest Early Childhood Education Research Alliance: Improving School Readiness and Early Literacy
A child's knowledge, skills, and behaviors at the start of kindergarten contribute to later school success (Claessens et al., 2009). In particular, children who have fewer opportunities to build skills in oral language and literacy before kindergarten may experience academic difficulties in later grades. Education leaders in Illinois wanted to address gaps in early literacy development among groups of kindergarten student...
Date published:
Dec 14, 2021
Blog
Resource Roundup: Indicators of College and Career Readiness
To meet requirements in the Every Student Succeeds Act, a growing number of states and districts are using measures such as high school grade point average (GPA) and attendance to monitor students' progress and postsecondary readiness. To help educators learn from these efforts, we rounded up research and resources on indicators of college and career readiness from across the Regional Educational Laborat...
Date published:
Nov 30, 2021
Blog
Mapping teacher workforce needs to strengthen the teacher pipeline: Using geographical information systems
In Louisiana, our Southwest Teacher Preparation and Professional Development Research Partnership is helping the state use GIS mapping technology to understand teacher workforce needs and strengthen the teacher pipeline.
Date published:
Sep 15, 2021
Blog
Report examines the use of enhanced coaching for teachers to improve early reading instruction and achievement
A new study from REL Midwest examined the use of enhanced coaching for teachers as part of a broader professional development initiative to improve early literacy instruction and achievement in Chicago Public Schools.
Date published:
Sep 15, 2021
Blog
Constructing a profile of students who focus on career and technical education in high school: Who are they and do they benefit?
At the request of state policymakers, REL Midwest examined whether the characteristics and outcomes of Indiana and Minnesota students who focused on career and technical education in high school differed from the outcomes of other students.
Date published:
Jun 28, 2021
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Resource roundup: A selection of REL tools for educators
This selection of REL tools provides guidance for educators on topics ranging from assessing the health of research-practice partnerships to improving literacy coaching and supporting newcomer immigrant and refugee students.
Date published:
Jun 01, 2021
Blog
REL Midwest toolkit helps districts better understand students' learning gaps related to the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures
As more students return to the classroom, a REL Midwest toolkit can help districts identify learning changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and take action to address students' learning needs.
Date published:
May 18, 2021
Blog
Resource roundup: Strengthening teacher preparation and support for new teachers
Many states face significant challenges ensuring all students have access to a high-quality teacher workforce. Browse this collection of REL resources for research and strategies to help strengthen teacher preparation and support new teachers.
Date published:
Feb 17, 2021
Blog
Supporting beginning readers: New report looks at reading achievement gaps and trends in kindergarten and grade 1 for two districts
REL Midwest studied reading achievement across kindergarten and grade 1 for two Illinois districts and found that gaps among student groups widened over time.
Date published:
Feb 09, 2021
Blog
Resource roundup: Career and technical education
These resources from the REL network highlight the growing research base on career and technical education (CTE), as well as federal guidance on CTE and ways to improve equity and school culture in CTE programs.
Date published:
Nov 16, 2020
Blog
Using teacher exit surveys to improve teacher retention
Teacher departures and turnover can pose serious challenges for schools and negatively affect student achievement. A teacher exit survey can help districts and schools better understand why teachers leave and improve retention.
Date published:
Jul 24, 2020
Blog
Building a diverse teacher workforce through a robust inquiry, planning, and implementation process
When teachers reflect students' racial/ethnic and cultural background, the results can be powerful. Learn how REL Midwest is supporting Lansing School District in building a diverse teacher workforce.
Date published:
Jul 24, 2020
Blog
Resource roundup: Competency-based education, blended learning, and credit recovery
Competency-based education, often used in online learning and credit recovery, enables students to learn and advance at their own pace. Browse these resources from across the REL network to learn more.
Date published:
May 20, 2020
Blog
Celebrating 2019 and looking ahead to 2020
As REL Southwest heads into a new year, we wanted to pause to celebrate some of our 2019 accomplishments and highlight some of the exciting new work underway..
Date published:
Mar 04, 2020
Blog
Resource roundup: Supporting early literacy development
Early literacy achievement paves the way for later academic success. Browse these resources from the REL network and the What Works Clearinghouse to support children's early literacy development.
Date published:
Nov 22, 2019
Blog
The ABCs of academic success: A focus on early literacy
Our Midwest Early Childhood Education Research Alliance is targeting early literacy. Learn about the alliance's new research and training projects.
Date published:
Nov 22, 2019
Blog
Report examines the results and lessons learned from a new statewide kindergarten entry assessment
A new REL Midwest report examines the results and lessons learned from Illinois's first statewide administration of the Kindergarten Individual Development Survey.
Date published:
Nov 22, 2019
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Resource roundup: Supporting student literacy at the secondary level
Browse this collection of resources from the REL network and the What Works Clearinghouse to support students' reading and writing skills at the secondary level.
Date published:
Oct 28, 2019
Blog
Ensuring an equitable education for all students: Remembering the Little Rock Nine
To mark the 65th anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education, our spring Governing Board meeting in Arkansas began with a tour of Little Rock Central High School. Learn how the event is inspiring our work.
Date published:
Aug 30, 2019
Blog
The power of centering equity in social and emotional learning
A recent REL Midwest webinar explored the intersections between equity and social and emotional development and showcased practices to promote equitable SEL.
Date published:
Jun 27, 2019
Blog
Resource roundup: Trauma-responsive practices
Understanding trauma and its effects is critical for supporting student success. To assist educators, we rounded up resources on trauma-responsive practices from across the REL Program.
Date published:
May 29, 2019
Blog
Hitting the road to promote children's success in kindergarten
REL Midwest researchers recently hit the road to promote Illinois children's success in kindergarten. Read on to explore the tools and resources we shared.
Date published:
Apr 23, 2019
Blog
Building the capacity of school boards to support Black student achievement and close opportunity gaps
School boards can play a critical role in closing opportunity and achievement gaps. Learn how REL Midwest is working to build the capacity of Wisconsin board members to support Black students.
Date published:
Feb 14, 2019
Blog
Partnering with districts and schools to identify research needs
REL Midwest and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District are partnering to support district and school staff in identifying and prioritizing their research and evaluation needs.
Date published:
Jan 17, 2019
Blog
Developing a sustainable training plan to help kindergarten teachers understand and support students' development
REL Midwest and the Illinois State Board of Education are building on the success of their KIDS Data Use workshops with new train-the-trainer workshops in October and November 2018.
Date published:
Oct 09, 2018
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Resource roundup: Supporting career readiness in rural schools
We rounded up these career readiness resources from the REL Program and the College and Career Readiness and Success Center with rural educators in mind.
Date published:
Sep 21, 2018
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Resource roundup: Accelerating improvement through networked improvement communities
Explore how to quickly test, refine, and scale up promising interventions through networked improvement communities. Get started with these curated resources from the REL Program and the Carnegie Foundation.
Date published:
Sep 11, 2018
Blog
Resource roundup: Back to school
Gear up for a new school year with these curated resources from across the REL Program and the What Works Clearinghouse.
Date published:
Aug 06, 2018
Blog
Resource roundup: Summer learning
Grab a cold drink, find a comfortable spot in the sun, and browse our roundup of high-quality resources on summer learning from across the REL network.
Date published:
Jun 22, 2018
Blog
Examining teacher shortages and surpluses to improve equitable access to effective educators
REL Midwest is conducting a study to describe trends in teacher shortages and surpluses in public schools in Michigan. The findings will inform state efforts to address teacher shortages.
Date published:
May 18, 2018
Blog
Assessing kindergarten children's knowledge and skills
REL Midwest is conducting a study to analyze the results of the first statewide Kindergarten Individual Development Survey in Illinois. The findings will provide a snapshot of Illinois children's knowledge, skills, and behaviors at kindergarten entry.
Date published:
Apr 23, 2018
Blog
Research methods workshop series: Building Wisconsin's capacity for education research
Educators rely on data and research evidence to understand what works. Learn how the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is partnering with REL Midwest on a workshop series to build educators' capacity to conduct, understand, and apply research.
Date published:
Oct 18, 2017
Blog
A partner in continuous improvement: Central Rivers Area Education Agency
In the small towns and farm country of Iowa, technology serves as a key support for students and educators. To strengthen this support, the state's districts are working to harness the full power of technology to enhance teaching and learning and to expand students' opportunities and career horizons.
Date published:
Sep 12, 2017
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