[Portland, Ore.] – The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education has selected Education Northwest to lead the Region 11 Comprehensive Center, a federally funded technical assistance center serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington state. Over the five-year grant period, Education Northwest will collaborate with state, regional, and local education agencies across the Northwest region to support systems to improve academic opportunities and outcomes for students.

The Region 11 Comprehensive Center is part of the Comprehensive Center program, a national network authorized by Congress in 2002 to improve educational outcomes, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction for all learners, particularly students with the highest need. Education Northwest has operated Comprehensive Centers in the Northwest since the program’s inception, most recently the Region 17 Comprehensive Center serving Idaho and Montana.

Education Northwest believes in the mission of the Comprehensive Center program, and we leverage our experience with policy, practice, and research to help states achieve their goals for student success.

“Education Northwest believes in the mission of the Comprehensive Center program, and we leverage our experience with policy, practice, and research to help states achieve their goals for student success,” said Jennifer Esswein, Director of Applied Research & Equitable Evaluation and Co-Director of the Region 11 Comprehensive Center at Education Northwest. “We are lucky to work and learn alongside the inspiring leaders who are transforming education across the Northwest. I look forward to working closely with these states to address the most pressing needs of their education systems.”

Esswein will co-direct the new Comprehensive Center alongside Cortney Rowland, Education Northwest’s Senior Leader of Large-Scale Technical Assistance and Teacher Effectiveness.

“We’re honored to serve the Northwest region in this capacity,” said Rowland. “Education Northwest understands the tremendous diversity across the five states and the need to work collaboratively and listen first. Our focus will be on providing high-quality technical assistance that is rooted in the best available evidence and driven by the needs and priorities of our partners. We’re ready to get to work.”

Education Northwest will build on its extensive experience and strong relationships in the region to lead the new Center. Founded in Oregon in 1966, Education Northwest has partnered extensively with state, regional, and local education agencies; Native American Tribes; community-based organizations; families; and students to improve education in the Northwest and beyond.

In addition, Education Northwest will partner with Child Trends, FHI 360, and Concord Evaluation Group to operate the Center. The four partners represent a complementary, diverse team with decades of experience working with schools, districts, and states to continuously improve education systems, especially for the most underserved students.

“Education Northwest has a long legacy of partnering with education agencies in the Northwest to improve opportunities and outcomes for all students,” said Jessica Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Education Northwest. “Our team has the relationships, skills, and expertise needed to support states in this rewarding work, and we are thrilled to receive this award so we can continue these efforts in our home region.”

The five-year Comprehensive Center grant cycle began on October 1, 2024.

For more information on the Region 11 Comprehensive Center, contact Jennifer Esswein.

To learn more about the Comprehensive Center Network, visit the U.S. Department of Education website.