The Southeastern Equity Center's history began in 1965, when the Miami Center was designated as the "first" federally-funded assistance center to be established in the United States.

The Southeastern Equity Center has provided technical assistance and training to the 8 southeastern states for almost 40 years - serving school districts in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The Southeastern Equity Center is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Education under the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (PI 88-352). The evolution of the The Southeastern Equity Center parallels and reflects the dramatic changes that have and are occurring in the Southeastern Region.

The work of The Southeastern Equity Center is guided by the Region IV Equity Advisory Council which is comprised of the representatives of the State Chief School Officers of the 8 states served by the Center.

Region-wide workgroups have been established in priority areas of need. The Southeastern Equity Center's services change to meet the expanding equity needs of the school districts and states of Region IV which include issues related to desegregation, race, national origin, and gender, especially as they impact student achievement and the No Child Left Behind Act.

Requests for technical assistance each year reflect the needs of school districts and states to effectively deal with increased diversity, racial and ethnic tensions, desegregation, re-segregation, integration, court-ordered unitary status, and ensuring that all children are provided scientifically research-based instruction which enables them to achieve high standards.

The Equity Center has provided direct, comprehensive technical assistance and training to hundreds of school districts. In addition, many school districts have been served via inter-district, state, or regional workshops and conferences. The Center's work impacts thousands of educators and stakeholders each year.

The clear challenge for school districts and states is to create, build, and sustain culturally-sensitive environments that provide equal access to a high standard of educational success for all students. The Southeastern Equity Center is prepared to assist the school districts and states of Region IV in meeting this challenge.