BUENO-EAC Abstract, Mission & Focus

The Equity Assistance Center (EAC) was first established in 1978.  There are 10 Regional Equity Assistance Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  These ten regional centers provide assistance to public schools in the areas of race, gender, and national origin to promote equal educational opportunities.

MISSION OF THE BUENO CENTER EAC:
To assist State departments of education and Local Education Agencies in Region VIII in creating more equitable school experiences and teaching practices.

FOCUS OF BUENO CENTER EAC:
Provide leadership training, professional development and technical assistance in gender, race, national origin and school climate and to reduce overrepresentation of minority students in special education, increase the underrepresentation of minority students in gifted programs and to improve the quality of programs for English Language Learners.

ABSTRACT:
The BUENO Center EAC proposal was prepared and submitted in June 2008 to the Federal Department of Education.  The BUENO Center received three years of funding to operate a Training and Technical assistance Center for Region VIII, which includes: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.  It is estimated that the project will directly impact 6,720 educators.

The BUENO Center EAC proposal responded to two invitational priorities listed for this competition giving special emphasis to resolving inequities that exist in Region VIII in the areas of overrepresentation of minority students in Special Education, under-representation of minority students in gifted programs, and the achievement gap for English Language Learners (ELLs).  In addition, all of the other equity areas covered by the Civil Rights Act will also be addressed including: race, gender, and national origin.

Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Leonard Baca and Dr. Janette Klingner and the Project Director Dr. Manuel Escamilla will head this EAC center.  The Center will receive guidance from a six member advisory board comprised of equity experts from each of the six states in the region.  The staff includes a balance of scholars and practitioners with expertise in each of the equity areas.  In addition to onsite training and technical assistance, the project will sponsor one regional conference as well as one online course addressing issues of equity in the region.  The Center will host an interactive website with access to numerous equity related materials and training modules.

The BUENO Center EAC will plan and coordinate services with each of the State Education Agencies in the region in order to maximize services and avoid duplication.