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.
