Accountability Tops Researchers Agenda at Chicago Meeting

In a year when accountability in education tops the education agenda from the federal to local levels, educational researchers will consider accountability issues at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association in Chicago. Approximately 12,000 members will attend the association's 84th Annual Meeting, April 21-25, 2003.

Constructed around the theme, "Accountability for Educational Quality: Shared Responsibility," the meeting brings together scientists and scholars from many disciplines to examine the research base for accountability and the ways in which that research can be used to improve classroom achievement.

AERA President Robert L. Linn notes in the 2003 program that "true accountability means broadly shared responsibility. . . .Enabling all children to attain their highest potential and to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to be successful citizens of the 21st century will require much from us all, working together in new and more effective ways with one another and with policy makers and practitioners."

A searchable program of nearly 1,800 presentations is available online at http://www.aera.net, including special events that take place daily during the meeting.

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) represents approximately 20,000 educators who conduct research and evaluation in education. Founded in 1916 and based in Washington, D.C., AERA offers a comprehensive program of scholarly publications, training, fellowships and meetings to advance educational research, to disseminate knowledge, and to improve the capacity of the profession for the public's good.