Postsecondary Education

The Southern Regional Education Board was founded more nearly 60 years ago specifically to help states improve and share resources in higher education. The Regional Contract Program for health professions later was established to provide students with access to graduate and professional programs — such as veterinary medicine and dentistry — that are unavailable in their home states. Today, SREB's work has many facets. SREB continues to organize and administer regional arrangements to avoid costly duplication and expensive development of new programs. A long-standing effort is the Academic Common Market, which provides access to undergraduate and graduate programs in specialized areas. The Electronic Campus provides a link to distance learning courses and programs offered by more than 300 colleges and universities.

SREB also works with higher education agencies in the 16 member states to collect and share timely comparative information and higher education data used extensively by state leaders. State-by-state information on higher education is provided through the SREB-State Data Exchange and biennial SREB Fact Book on Higher Education. The Challenge to Lead education goals series includes reports related to goals on college readiness, college affordability and teacher preparation.

The SREB Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing works to strengthen nursing education. The SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program provides financial assistance and academic support to minority students who are admitted to doctoral programs. One of SREB’s newest efforts at interstate cooperation is the Distance Learning Policy Laboratory, which is linked closely with the Electronic Campus and works with member states to expand postsecondary distance-learning opportunities for residents of those states. In addition, the Educational Technology Cooperative works with higher education and K-12 agencies on using technology to improve teaching and learning in colleges and schools.