Two Professors to Testify Before House Panel About School Accountability

Two University of Arkansas professors will testify Wednesday, Sept. 21, at a congressional hearing on accountability in education.

Benny L. Gooden, visiting assistant professor of educational leadership, and Jay P. Greene, holder of an endowed chair in education reform, both in the College of Education and Health Professions, were invited to testify before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education in Washington.

A webcast of the hearing, which is set to begin at 9 a.m. local time can be viewed live at the subcommittee's website. According to an announcement by the subcommittee, the purpose of the hearing is to review the importance of public school accountability, examine successful state and local approaches to accountability, and continue the discussion on the appropriate federal role in the process.

Gooden, who is superintendent of Fort Smith Public Schools, will testify on behalf of the American Association of School Administrators. He was elected president-elect of the national superintendents' group earlier this year. Gooden said his testimony will be from the perspective of local school districts across the nation.

Greene, who is also a fellow at the George W. Bush Institute at Southern Methodist University, will testify that he believes a decentralized accountability system is more likely to produce high-quality standards and better educational outcomes than will a nationalized approach, such as Common Core.

Tom Smith, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, said the invitations to Gooden and Greene provide a good example of how the University of Arkansas can offer information to policymakers at all levels.

"Many issues in education today require extensive discussion to determine what course to take and methods to try," Smith said. "Our faculty members can lend their expertise to this important process."