Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center

The Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center (MC3) is part of a network of sixteen regional centers and five national content centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to support state education agencies in closing achievement gaps among student populations, improving low-performing districts and schools, and meeting the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). MC3 serves Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Common Core State Standards

According to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Initiative website, CCSS "is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce." All four of the states in MC3's region have adopted CCSS, and MC3 is supporting them as they work toward full implementation. Among the resources MC3 has available is a database of CCSS web links, including links to state resources, support for teachers and parents, and information on implementation, assessment, funding resources, and equity issues.

Blueprint for Reform

In preparation for the reauthorization of the ESEA, ED has released a "Blueprint for Reform" outlining the administration's goals for this reauthorization. The Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center is offering resources and aid to states in all of the blueprint's core areas.

College & Career Ready Students

The future of our country depends on preparing all our students to be ready to be successful in college or a career. The Blueprint for Reform focus for this area includes "rigorous college- and career-ready standards" measured and supported with "rigorous and fair accountability" at every level. Among other resources, the Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center supports states' efforts with the process of school turnaround under this goal through MC3's School Improvement, Classroom Assessment, and Program Evaluation KnowledgeBases. For those pursuing grants to implement these programs, MC3 offers the Writing Successful Grants KnowledgeBase. MC3 also offers a vast database of Internet resources offering support on such topics as standards, state report cards, school to work, school reform, and accountability and AYP.

Great Teachers & Great Leaders

Research shows the effectiveness of teachers can greatly affect the achievement of their students, positively and negatively. The Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center supports efforts to improve the quality of teachers and school leaders throughout the region in many ways. MC3's database of Internet resources include the topics of education leadership, help for beginning teachers, professional learning communities, staff development, school management, and teacher qualifications. MC3's KnowledgeBases, such as the School Improvement, Classroom Assessment, Program Evaluation, and Teacher Leader, provide teachers and school leaders with structured resources for improving their classrooms and/or schools.

A Complete Education

A large part of preparing students for success in college and the workplace is a complete education including content in all subject areas. The Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center's database of Internet resources contains an array of curriculum resources in content areas including literacy, science, mathematics, economics, history, civics, and other subjects.

Meeting Needs of Diverse Learners

The Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center has a long history of supporting the challenging issue of diverse learners. MC3's English Language Learner (ELL) and American Indian Education KnowledgeBases provide valuable online resources to parents, educators, school and district staff members, and state education agencies. MC3 has also collected Internet resources on English as a Second Language, Special Education, Gifted & Talented, High Poverty, and Homeless students. The MC3 website also includes information on Indian Education and Migrant Education programs, and has recently expanded to include information on Multi-Tiered Interventions.

Successful, Safe, & Healthy Students

The "Blueprint for Reform" says, "[t]he students most at risk for academic failure too often attend schools and live in communities with insufficient capacity to address the full range of their needs." This is why this focus area extends beyond the school building and day to promote "Promise Neighborhoods" and "21st Century Community Learning Centers." The Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center's Internet resources include information to help with these initiatives with topics such as community schools, community involvement, facilities, and parent involvement. MC3 further supports safety in schools through the Positive Learning Climates KnowledgeBase. MC3 also provides links to resources related to safety and security, bullying, cyber-bullying, and school health services.

Fostering Innovation & Excellence

Among other initiatives, this focus area will expand on the Race to the Top and Investing in Innovation (I3) grants authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) focused on innovative and effective school improvement strategies and programs such as charter schools and public school choice options. The Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center supports this work in a variety of ways including the School Improvement KnowledgeBase. MC3's Internet resources provide information on small learning communities and community schools.

Read more about MC3 and our work.