AEL is a nonprofit, regionally oriented education research, development, and service institution. Its mission is to link the knowledge from research with the wisdom from practice to improve teaching and learning. AEL works closely with schools, school districts, and states to develop, test, and refine practical products and processes that address needs expressed by local educators. Resources thus developed are then available to others working on similar problems.

AEL is governed by a 28-member Board of Directors, made up of educators and others concerned about education in its primary service area: Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. AEL’s major work is funded through several contracts and grants from the U. S. Department of Education.

Appalachia Regional Educational Laboratory
The Laboratory is one of 10 Regional Labs located across the country. With educators in the Region, the Laboratory designs R&D-based professional development, develops new processes and products through systematic R&D, evaluates education programs, serves as a neutral convener of state or regional groups, studies the implementation of state policies, and synthesizes and disseminates R&D-based information.

Regional Technology in Education Consortium
The Consortium helps schools integrate technology in their classrooms. It provides technical assistance, professional development, and technology-related information; and works intensively with one site in each state to study the kinds of assistance that help schools move forward in classroom applications of technology.

ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools
The Clearinghouse is part of a nationwide system of 16 clearinghouses in the Education Resources Information Center. Each clearinghouse is responsible for adding to the ERIC database education-related works on specific topics. AEL’s Clearinghouse ensures that works on rural education and small schools, American Indians and Alaska natives, Mexican Americans, migrants, and outdoor education are included. ERIC’s computer-searchable database serves a national audience, making research-based articles and resources available to all. Besides adding to the database, the Clearinghouse produces books and research summaries and conducts free searches.

Eisenhower Regional Consortium for Mathematics and Science Education
The Eisenhower Consortium’s work is customized to each state. It sponsors professional development training that reflects both the national standards and individual states’ curriculum frameworks. It also gives teachers greater access to technology—including training in classroom applications of technology—and provides information about opportunities and resources related to reform. The Consortium works with state steering committees of mathematics and science teachers and educators.

Region IV Comprehensive Center
The Center helps recipients of Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds improve teaching and learning in their schools. The Center works in six states with departments of education, local districts, and high-poverty schools to help coordinate and consolidate the services of federally funded education programs. These programs serve high-poverty, migrant, immigrant, limited-English-proficient, neglected or delinquent, homeless, Indian, and disabled students.