Who We Are

About REL-NEI

The Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands (REL-NEI) serves New England, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The region includes over 5 million students, nearly 10,000 schools and 2,000 districts, from rural settings to New York City. REL-NEI’s mission is to help preK-16 educators at the state, district and school levels increase their use of scientifically based evidence to make decisions that lead to improved student achievement and reduced performance gaps among student groups. REL-NEI is funded by a 5-year contract from the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Read our brochure.

REL-NEI is operated by Education Development Center, Inc. in Newton, Massachusetts. EDC is a global nonprofit organization that develops, delivers, and evaluates innovative programs to solve some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic development.

About the Institute of Education Sciences

Established by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Its mission is to provide rigorous evidence on which to ground education practice and policy. By identifying what works, what doesn’t, and why, IES intends to improve the outcomes of education for all students, particularly those at risk of failure. Learn more.

REL-NEI Governing Board

The REL-NEI Governing Board includes the commissioners of education and representatives of other stakeholder groups from across the region. Governing Board members help identify and prioritize the educational needs of the region, review and approve annual plans, and assist with outreach, product development, and dissemination efforts.

REL-NEI Technical Working Group

The Technical Working Group for REL-NEI reviews research design and analysis plans to help insure the quality of all research. Members of this group are nationally recognized leaders in research methods relevant to the work of REL-NEI.

REL-NEI State Liaisons

State liaisons are senior staff members at EDC and REL-NEI partner organizations.They work closely with a REL-NEI researcher and together they constitute a State Team. Liaisons are the primary point of contact between REL-NEI and the states and jurisdictions in the Northeast and Islands region.

Jill Weber, Director, REL-NEI

Ms. Jill Weber is the Director of the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands.