Mia Mamone
Project Coordinator
Regional Educational Laboratories, Comprehensive Centers, and discretionary grants
Federal education funding comes in many forms, and keeping them straight isn’t always easy. Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs), Comprehensive Centers (CCs), and discretionary grants are all federally funded programs designed to support educators and students, but they serve different audiences, operate differently, and reach states and districts in distinct ways. This blog breaks down the functions of RELs, CCs, and discretionary grants, how they can support states and districts in improving educational outcomes, and Marzano Research’s engagements with all three.
RELs versus CCs
It can be easy to confuse RELs and CCs. The REL program regions are divided similarly to the CCNetwork regions, and both work to address regional, state, and local education needs. However, while RELs work with partners at the state and district levels to conduct research, promote evidence-based practice, and inform policy, CCs work primarily with state education agencies (SEAs) to support implementation of best practices and policy.
REL and CC work is complementary by design, ensuring states have robust support to promote student achievement.
This infographic, Regional Educational Laboratories and Regional Comprehensive Centers: Addressing high priority needs at the state and local level, provides more detail on the features of each program, including:
RELs:
- Conduct research related to state and local educational priorities
- Deliver technical assistance to help educators apply evidence in their practice
- Create toolkits based on What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guides and other helpful evidence-based resources
CCs:
- Build SEA capacity to implement federal programs and initiatives
- Partner with local education agencies (LEAs) to share lessons learned related to new research, including research from RELs
- Support SEAs in carrying out Consolidated State Plans
RELs and CCs are responsive to educator and student needs in their regions. Explore the REL and CCNetwork websites to learn more and find contact information for your region.
Discretionary grants
Discretionary grants provide federal funding on a competitive basis to programs that support the U.S. Department of Education’s mission and promote student achievement. These grants can be awarded to SEAs, LEAs, tribes and Tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, non-profits, and other groups, such as community-based organizations and public agencies.
Whereas RELs and CCs manage finances, compliance, and reporting for the money received to fund their work, organizations that receive discretionary grant funding are responsible for handling these administrative aspects themselves.
Learn more about grant opportunities, timing, and resources for creating successful applications here.
Marzano Research’s engagements with RELs, CCs, and discretionary grants
Marzano Research has extensive experience providing support to agencies, districts, and schools through RELs, CCs, and discretionary grants.
Currently, our work as a subcontractor for REL Northwest includes partnerships such as:
- Lower Kuskokwim Teacher Recruitment and Retention
- Helping Alaska’s Lower Kuskokwim School District test practical ways to improve teacher working conditions and retention, and creating a field-ready toolkit other rural districts can use to refine their own strategies.
- Idaho Career and Technical Education (CTE) to Workforce Pipeline
- Helping Idaho as the state builds stronger middle-grade CTE pathways by aligning standards with high school programs, postsecondary training, workforce demand, and realistic funding levels.
- Literacy Evidence-Based Practices in Montana Districts
- Helping four Montana districts strengthen literacy instruction by using data and continuous improvement to enhance reading support and engage families more effectively.
- Oregon Mathematics Instruction Framework: Research to Practice
- Helping Oregon turn research and stakeholder input into a statewide mathematics framework that gives educators a shared vision and practical guidance for selecting and implementing strong instructional materials.
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- Helping Washington create a coherent statewide mathematics framework that equips local education agencies with evidence-based practices to strengthen instruction.
In a previous REL funding cycle, Marzano Research was the primary contractor carrying out the work of REL Central (2017–22), serving partners across the region and producing frequently-used resources such as the Program Evaluation Toolkit and studies such as The Impact of Career and Technical Education on Postsecondary Outcomes in Nebraska and South Dakota.
Marzano Research staff bring a distinctive perspective to CC work, having engaged with the Comprehensive Centers network from multiple vantage points. Several staff members have worked as state education leaders, experiencing firsthand how CC support reaches SEAs and the difference it makes on the ground, while others have served directly on CC support teams. This breadth of experience, on both the receiving and delivering ends of CC support, shapes how Marzano Research approaches capacity-building work with state agencies.
Marzano Research has also supported discretionary grant recipients through evaluation and professional development services. Our evaluation work includes Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants and Competitive Grants for State Assessment (CGSA), helping grantees meet federal reporting requirements and build a clear picture of program impact. We have also provided professional development and evaluation support to recipients of other discretionary grants, partnering with SEAs, LEAs, and nonprofits to strengthen implementation and build internal capacity.