The Great Lakes West website provides information about planned and ongoing work in Illinois, Wisconsin, and across the region. This website is a resource primarily for state education agency staff, but it may be useful for educators, policymakers, and technical assistance providers both in the Great Lakes West region and across the country. The website connects educators and policymakers to resources and research, including the comprehensive center network and other regional and national networks.

What's New

Education Legislation introduced in Wisconsin
Recently, a new education reform Bill was introduced by the Wisconsin education legislative chairs, Representative Kestell and Senator Olsen and is based on the work of the Read to Lead, Educator Effectiveness, and Accountability Task force work which took place during 2011. Read more...

January 2012 issue of Your ACCESS to the Region
his issue highlights the national landscape of Elementary and Secondary Education Act waiver considerations and programs and plans related to Illinois and Wisconsin’s waiver applications. The REL Midwest Update in this issue discusses the recent recompetition of the regional educational laboratories and the beginning of a new contract cycle. Read more...

Illinois Receives Race to the Top Round 3 Award
Just as 2011 ended, the U.S. Department of Education announced that seven states—Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania—will each receive a share of the $200 million Race to the Top Round 3 (RTT3) fund to advance targeted K–12 reforms aimed at improving student achievement. Read more...