"Education Governor" to Address Education Researchers

Former North Carolina Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. will deliver a major address, How I Know that We Can Make Every School Work and Help Every Child Learn, during the American Educational Research Association's 84th Annual Meeting next week in Chicago.

His presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, starting at 2:15 p.m. in the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 301 East North Water St. in downtown Chicago. Specifically, he will speak in the Hyatt's Regency B, West Tower --Gold Level.

In his address to education researchers, Governor Hunt will describe his personal journey in learning the methods and value of education research and how he based his education policies squarely on research findings.

North Carolina has been one of the nation's leading states in improving student performance, and Governor Hunt will share with the research community the data that he found compelling in leading his efforts to change schools and get results.

Governor Hunt, who is recognized nationally for his leadership in education, also will describe the role of the new Hunt Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy in Chapel Hill, N.C., and its special work with governors and other top education and political leaders across America. He chairs the Institute's board.

The four-term governor, who holds B.A. and M.S. degrees from North Carolina State University and a J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, now practices law in Raleigh, N.C.

Commenting on Governor Hunt's address will be a three-member panel: Richard M. Clifford, an expert on early childhood and senior scientist at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina; Linda Darling-Hammond, an expert on professional development issues and a professor at Stanford University School of Education; and Michael Usdan, an expert on higher education/leadership issues and the immediate past president of the Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Educational Leadership. Mary Futrell, dean of the Graduate School of Education at George Washington University, will serve as moderator.

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.