Mergers ensure continued access to trusted educational research and resources
July 9, 2025 | McREL International announces today that it has formed a strategic partnership with Education Service Center (ESC) Region 13 in Austin, Texas, and the NORC at the University of Chicago. Through this partnership, ESC Region 13 becomes the new home for McREL’s professional learning, coaching, and consulting services, as well as its suite of research-based tools, publications, and intellectual property, and NORC becomes the new home of McREL’s research and evaluation projects and capacities.
“This partnership gives us the opportunity to extend our reach and continue serving educators across the country and around the world in meaningful ways,” said Bryan Goodwin, CEO of McREL International. “NORC and ESC Region 13 are outstanding organizations that share our mission of providing nonprofit, nonpartisan services that help educators, students, and school systems thrive.”
Since its founding in 1966 as an education research, development, and service organization, McREL has worked across the U.S. and around the world to identify and share best practices for improving instruction, leadership, and school performance. Over the years, McREL managed several of the U.S. Department of Education’s Regional Educational Laboratories and Comprehensive Centers, while also providing research, program evaluation, and professional learning services and resources to school districts, state departments of education, regional education service agencies, universities, foundations, and other organizations.
McREL’s Research Division Merging with NORC
McREL’s current research and evaluation projects—and key staff connected to those projects—will transfer to NORC’s Education & Child Development Department. NORC is a highly respected nonprofit research organization with a long history of providing objective studies, surveys, and analyses in economics, education, health, and public affairs.
“McREL’s commitment to evidence-based improvement aligns perfectly with NORC’s mission to deliver objective, actionable insights,” said Jennifer Hamilton, senior vice president of Education & Child Development at NORC. “Together, we’re positioned to elevate the role of research in shaping the future of education.”
McREL’s Professional Learning Division Merging with ESC Region 13
McREL’s professional learning and consulting services, as well as its suite of evidence-based programs, publications, and intellectual property will move to ESC Region 13, which will launch The McREL Institute at ESC Region 13 to house these efforts. The Institute will continue to provide educators and leaders across the U.S. and world with McREL’s highly regarded professional learning programs and resources including Classroom Instruction That Works, Balanced Leadership, and the 6-Phase Model for Learning while also developing new resources in collaboration with ESC Region 13’s expert staff and program teams.
“McREL has long been a trusted source of practical, research-driven strategies that help educators and students thrive,” said Dr. Rich Elsasser, executive director of ESC Region 13. “We’re excited to continue that tradition while expanding access to high-quality support for schools and systems everywhere.”
