About AEL AEL 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's major work is funded through several contracts and grants from the U.S. Department of Education. The Laboratory is one of 10 Regional Labs located across the country. 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.