New York State is the largest and most densely populated jurisdiction in the Northeast and Islands Region, with more than 2.7 million preK–12 students in five large urban centers and across many rural areas. REL-NEI is working closely with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and staff from intermediary organizations such as the BOCES to provide research support on a broad range of questions, some of which has informed policies of the Board of Regents. REL-NEI work mainly centers on four of the state’s highest priority areas: teacher quality, low-performing schools and districts, students with disabilities, and English language learners.