NWREL Reorganizes Into

Centers of Excellence

Bob Blum (top left); Eve McDermott (top right); Kit Peixotto (lower left); and Kim Yap (lower right).

The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory has restructured to establish four "Centers of Excellence" that will serve as the organizational scaffolding for our work with schools, communities, and other constituencies. The centers include School and District Improvement, led by Bob Blum; Research, Evaluation, and Assessment, headed by Kim Yap; Classroom Teaching and Learning, under the direction of Kit Peixotto; and School, Family, and Community, directed by Eve McDermott.

"By grouping programs within four centers, we hope to increase the flexibility we have in responding to regional needs," remarked Carol Thomas, chief executive officer.

"The four broad center topics focus on NWREL’s historical strengths and capabilities. They are topics that our clients and our customers identify with and can understand."

Also, said Thomas, the new structure will help NWREL be more successful by strengthening its organization and focusing on strategic resource development.

The Center for School and District Improvement builds capacity of school systems to create systemic change aimed at improving the academic and life success of children, youth, and young adults. The center works with districts, schools, and the communities they serve to ensure quality and equity in the learning of all students. Through its re-engineering national leadership area, the center offers strategies, tools, and resources that help schools reshape themselves to improve student performance. The highly respected comprehensive school reform program, Onward to Excellence II, is housed within this center.

The Center for Research, Evaluation, and Assessment contributes to the educational knowledge base and helps policymakers and practitioners collect, analyze, interpret, and use research-based information to make sound decisions and improve the quality of education for all learners. Center members develop useful tools to guide and assess student learning. NWREL’s acclaimed 6+1 Trait™ Writing program is also part of this center.

The Center for Classroom Teaching and Learning provides research-based resources and services enabling educators to implement high-quality curriculum, instruction, and assessments that foster improved learning, performance, and achievement for all students. As its name implies, the center is grounded in the belief that classroom teachers are the most critical element in a school’s efforts to develop high-performing, productive citizens. Center staff supports the effective and appropriate use of new technology, helps schools identify and use effective mathematics and science curricula, and provides high-quality services to targeted populations, including English language learners.

The Center for School, Family, and Community nurtures connections that promote youth success, equity, citizenship, career development, and lifelong learning. It supports contextual teaching and learning through family-focused and culturally responsive practices that encourage positive youth development. The center also works to strengthen mentoring programs and broaden the vision of where teaching and learning occur. It provides services to charter schools and support for national service programs, such as AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America, as well as research and evaluation services.

Thomas says that the reorganization should position the Laboratory to better respond to future competitions and challenges. "These new relationships should increase the effectiveness of our work by encouraging coordination and communication among staff who have expertise related to a particular topic," she notes.

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