secc.sedl.orgSoutheast Comprehensive Center (SECC) | American Institutes for Research

Skip to main content About Us Careers Contact Search form Search American Institutes for Research Our Work Cambium Assessment Education Health International Workforce ALL TOPICS > Our Services Research and Evaluation Policy, Practice, and Systems Change Our Experts News & Events You are here Home Southeast Comprehensive Center (SECC) Center The Southeast Comprehensive Center (SECC) is one of 15 regional comprehensive centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education for the October 2012–September 2019 grant cycle of the Comprehensive Centers Program . The centers provided capacity-building technical assistance to state education agencies (SEAs) in their implementation and administration of programs authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, reauthorized in 2015 as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). During the grant period, SECC worked closely with SEAs in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina to support their efforts to implement, scale up, and sustain initiatives statewide and to lead and support their school districts and schools in using evidence-based policies, practices, programs, and interventions to improve student outcomes. A selection of the center’s state-based projects and key resources are featured below. Partners in SECC’s work included AIR and RMC Research Corporation. Projects Alabama Educator Effectiveness The SECC assisted the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) in implementing multiple metric educator evaluation systems that meet federal ESSA requirements. The center provided content expertise and evidence-based resources for guiding the development of a statewide model for teacher and leader evaluation, including defining teacher and leader effectiveness, determining metrics of effectiveness, and aligning educator evaluation outcomes with professional learning. These efforts increased SEA capacity to measure teacher and leader effectiveness and its capacity to align teacher and leader professional learning needs with evaluation outcomes. Mississippi Talent Management To address the state’s needs for talent management, SECC provided evidence-based resources and professional learning materials to inform district- and state-developed plans to increase teacher recruitment and retention. As part of the Talent for Turnaround Leadership Academy (T4TLA) at AIR, SECC delivered professional learning on key topics related to recruiting, developing, and maintaining high-quality teachers. The center also provided technical assistance support for the July 2018 Male Educators of Color Conference. This convening was an outcome of Mississippi’s goal to advance a more diverse educator workforce. SECC’s work with Mississippi helped to improve the state’s organizational structures and processes through aligned state- and district-level plans to address talent management and provided improved tools to guide preparation of diverse-learner ready teachers. North Carolina Instructional Improvement Systems The SECC worked with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) staff to strengthen the Global Ready education program through revised district and school renewal procedures and support for educators pursuing certification, as informed by qualitative data collection and analysis. The center provided technical assistance on qualitative data collection and used the data to inform the refinement of the Global Ready district and school renewal applications. To hear from NCDPI staff regarding SECC support for statewide education initiatives, access this video , which was created by SECC. South Carolina Early Childhood The SECC worked with the South Carolina Department of Education's (SCDE) early childhood staff to provide appropriate school readiness resources and services to early childhood stakeholders and program providers. The center assisted SCDE with its efforts to develop a statewide comprehensive literacy plan, including guidance with the state’s multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework and the provision of statewide training for educators . Related Resources 30 Sep 2019 In the Field Southeast Comprehensive Center Impact Stories The Southeast Comprehensive Center developed a series of impact stories to highlight key technical assistance support and positive outcomes related to improving teaching, learning, and capacity building in the five states served in its region: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. 19 May 2016 Guide Alabama State Department of Education Plan 2020 Data Preparation and Analysis Primer The Southeast Comprehensive Center partnered with the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) in 2014 to assist in evaluating Plan 2020, mainly focusing on learners and the graduation rate. 9 Jun 2018 Report Alabama State Department of Education Plan for Progress in Mathematics To address multiple challenges, the Alabama State Department of Education collaborated with the Southeast Comprehensive Center to examine instruction and achievement in mathematics using evidence-based research. 10 Dec 2018 Guide Mississippi Department of Education Sharing What Works Framework As part of the Mississippi Department of Education’s vision to create a high-quality educational system, the Office of School Improvement developed this framework of effective practices and procedures for supporting schools. Content experts from the Southeast Comprehensive Center at AIR served on the review committee for this guide in conjunction with department staff, Mississippi school district leaders, and representatives from the Mississippi Association of Federal Education Program Directors and Johns Hopkins University. 10 May 2017 Toolkit North Carolina Department of Public Instruction English Learner Support Team Appraisal Tool for Professional Growth and Development The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction English Learner Support Team Appraisal Tool is designed to aid users in self-reflection, goal setting, training observations, year-end appraisal, and team membership application. 9 Aug 2019 Presentation Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Professional Development Materials - South Carolina Southeast Comprehensive Center (SECC) staff presented an Overview of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), including evidence-based MTSS practices and resources, to South Carolina school districts and schools and assisted with planning for implementation of MTSS. More Resources SECC College and Career Readiness Videos South Carolina Expanded ADEPT Survey and Focus Groups: Findings Report SECC 2015 Regional Institute: Promoting Equitable Access at the State and Local Levels SECC/TXCC 2014 Regional Institute: Supporting High-Quality Rural Education SECC Information Request: State-Run Virtual Education Programs SECC Information Request: Statewide Use of Professional Learning Communities SECC Information Request: Support and Strategies for Enriching Achievement of Native American Students Share Contacts Beth Howard-Brown Principal TA Consultant and Director, Southeast Comprehensive Center Topics Education District and School Improvement Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) RESEARCH. EVALUATION. APPLICATION. IMPACT . 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