This article appeared in the AERO Newsletter 1996.
AERO was born on November 20, 1987, in Tucson when a group attending the Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association meeting decided that Arizona should have its own state organization. Founders included Ernesto Bernal and Cynthia Nelson from NAU, Jim DeGracie from Mesa Schools, Arnie Danzig from Arizona Department of Education, Tom Haladyna from ASU West, Darrell Sabers from UA, and Mel Franklin from Tucson Amphitheatre Schools. Tom Haladyna served as the midwife (midhusband?) and first president.
The purpose of the organization is to "produce quality interaction among educators at public schools and universities" in Arizona. AERO produces several newsletters and holds a conference annually. The first conference, "Partnerships in Education" was organized by Nancy Haas and Tom Haladyna of ASU West and was held at the downtown Hyatt Regency November 9-11, 1988.
The conference featured a key-note address from State Superintendent Diane Bishop, a luncheon address by David Berliner and a legislative panel led by Senator Jacque Steiner.
In 1989 another historical event occurred. Jim DeGracie wrote to Scott Norton that "on your membership application you indicated your desire to participate at the organizational level..". Scott innocently wrote back that "I'd like to become more involved in the organization and therefore would agree to run for treasurer." Scott would continue in he role until 1995, making him the longest serving board member to date. In 1990 the annual conference was a joint AERO/RMERA conference held at ASU and organized by Bets Manera. The theme was "Young Children: Research, Policy and Practice." The conference featured presentations by Alice Paul (Young Children: A 30 Year Perspective of Research, Policy and Practice), Charles Brainerd (Families, Communities & Children's Learning), and back by popular demand, Jim Zaharis (Should Education Change Direction?) At sunset on the last day of the conference Arnie Danzig of NAU took over the presidential reigns. These three conferences set a pattern for future conferences. The meetings were intimate gatherings where practitioners and university-based researchers freely intermingled, exchanging ideas and developing friendships. Support from friends at Riverside Publishing and the Psychological Corporation provided additional chances to socialize at receptions and continental breakfasts. And, the phrase that was to be used in every conference title since, "Research, Policy and Practice," was first used in the 1989 title.
In 1991 Arnie Danzig from NAU became president and the first Flagstaff conference was held. The theme was Making a Difference for Learners Across All Educational Levels: Research, Policy & Practice. The keynote "speech" was a panel discussion by members of the Governor's Task Force on Educational Reform. John Bergan of UA gave the lunch address titled "Measuring Young Children's Abilities." At that lunch Darrell Sabers received a special award for his lifetime contribution to education research in Arizona. The social highlight was a hayride into the woods for a cowboy cookout. The company was good, the sky was filled with stars and the soft orange glow of a forest fire in the distance added a slight air of danger to the evening.
In 1992 Joe O'Reilly of Mesa Schools took the reins as president while Ray Buss organized the conference at ASU West. The theme was "Perspectives on Educational Progress: Research, Policy & Practice." The keynote address, "The Other Side of The Story: Data on Schools the Newspapers Never Print" was given by ASU's David Berliner. This material was later presented at national conferences and eventually became the book, The Manufactured Crises: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack on the American Public Schools, co-authored with Bruce Biddle and published in 1995. But AERO members heard it first at our annual conference!
In 1993 Ray Buss became president and the conference, hosted by Steve Powers, was held in Tucson for the first time. The pattern of alternating conference sites - Eastside Phoenix - Flagstaff - Westside Phoenix - Tucson, was now set. The conference organizers were the most succinct and parsimonious yet, as they announced their theme - simply Research, Policy & Practice. Thomas Good gave Thursday's invited address titled "A New Agenda for Research on Teacher Expectations" and Mary McCaslin gave Friday's address titled "Student Negotiation of the Informal Curriculum: A Pressing Research Agenda."
In 1994 Steve Powers of TUSD took the helm. The annual conference was again jointly sponsored with RMERA. The theme was The ABC's of Reforming Education in the 1990s. Linking Research, Policy & Practice. The conference began with a pre-conference training session conducted by Bob Hess on using Facets. The next day the full conference began with a panel discussion entitled "State Assessment - Same Issue, Different Perspectives" in which people from schools, ADE and the Morrison Institute discussed the ASAP statewide testing Program. A wine and cheese reception was held at the end of the day followed by dinner (and a flowing fountain of margaritas) at Macayo's Depot Cantina. At lunch the next day Mary Lee Smith gave the invited address entitled "School Reform by/of Assessment: Research on the Arizona Student Assessment Program." Judy Vandegrift of ASU's Morrison Institute broke the all male hold on the presidency in 1995.
The red rocks of Sedona served as the backdrop to the eighth annual conference hosted by Henry Clark and NAU. The theme this year was Partnerships in Educational Research and Practice. Cathy Guinn presented the invited address entitled "Technology & Teachers: Lessons Learned From Professional Development Partnerships." The luncheon address was given by Pat Wasley of Brown University who spoke on the promises and pitfalls of collaborative research.
Looking back, we see that AERO has succeeded in bringing together educators, researchers and policy makers to discuss the pressing issues of the day such as school choice (1990), education reform (1991), education bashing (1992), and ASAP (1989, 1994) in both formal sessions and informally in social settings. Many friendships and collegial contact have been made over the years and these have enriched the work of researchers and educators throughout the state.
Looking at the future, we see the whole cycle beginning over as plans are made to meet at ASU West once again. Hopefully AERO will continue to grow and maintain the traditions that have been developed since 1987. With the help of you and other members, AERO should continue to prosper for many year to come.
