• Help educators draw from research on proven practices to select and implement reform strategies and programs suited to local needs
  
• Assist state departments of education and local schools in their reform efforts to achieve student success by providing knowledge-based information, professional development, and technical assistance services
  
• Provide professional development programs for teachers, administrators, and parents to assist in informed decision making and implementation planning
  
• Provide on-site assistance in the development and implementation of innovative intervention programs and practices
  
• Provide referral services for professional development and technical assistance that require special expertise

Disseminate information and exchange ideas.

• Synthesize research on significant regional issues affecting education
  
• Support educators and policymakers in their school improvement efforts by providing widespread access to information regarding research and best practices
  
• Play a catalytic role in creating communities of learners to engage in collaborative development and dissemination efforts
  
• Convene and connect practitioners, policymakers, and parents throughout the region to engage in dialogue in areas of mutual concern and develop solutions to emerging problems
  

Based on areas of greatest assistance needs identified by professionals in the region, the following is an illustrative list of priority areas targeted for assistance:

• Professional development of school and related services staff on a wide range of topics, including:
  · Involvement of parents in supporting student achievement
  · Implementation of an inclusive approach to provide for diversity in regular education classrooms
  · School collaboration with related service agencies
  · Technology training for teachers, librarians, school district personnel, and others expected to perform at different levels of technological expertise

• Development of strategic plans for implementing sustainable improvements
  

• Upgrading mathematics and science curricula and instruction
  

• Program evaluation
  

• School restructuring and site-based planning and management
  

• Implementation of knowledge-based strategies for achieving student success
  

• Client-specific services for implementing comprehensive, systemic state or local initiated reform

• Use of school-based data for program refinement and implementation monitoring
  

• Micro-financial analysis of district/school spending, and how to restructure resources to significantly improve schools' capacity for providing instructional support in the service of students
  

State-of-the-Art Seminars provide information on recent advances in the research and practical knowledge base. Participants are provided with synthesis reviews on a wide variety of topics, focusing on what is known to work in achieving student success. The one-day seminars typically begin with an overview of the knowledge base and a discussion of implications for improving current practices. Group discussions are led by practitioners experienced in carrying out innovative school-based improvement efforts that have proven to be effective and sustainable in their respective schools.

What Works Workshops provide participants with hands-on experience in designing and implementing innovative programs and practices that are demonstrably effective. Workshops emphasize:

• Resources and professional development requirements for effective implementation
  
• Administrative, organizational, or instructional barriers encountered during the inception stage of establishing innovative programs and practices and subsequent maintenance
  
• Resolutions for overcoming barriers to school improvement
  
• Evaluation of program effects
  
• Mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the day-to-day operations of the program

Advanced Study Institutes are designed to develop expertise in the strategic planning and development of detailed implementation in forging building-based improvement efforts. The Institutes focus on:

• Identification of school, district, and agency-specific needs and improvement priorities
  
• Identification of program development needs
  
• Identification of resources and expertise required for implementation
  
• Development of specific plans for resource utilization and redeployment, and delivery mechanisms for program implementation
  
• Development and operation of a staff development plan and an evaluation plan for monitoring program implementation and effectiveness

On-site Professional Development and Technical Assistance in the implementation of specific educational reform plans and evaluation is provided following the development of a feasible plan for implementation either as a result of participation in an Advanced Study Institute or through other strategic planning processes.

Key emphasis is placed on the integrated use of technology as a tool for improving instruction and learning, and establishing cyber-networking capacity for communication and dialogue among reform-oriented professionals.