150-Hour Program Issues (Committee Members: Sue Ravenscroft, Eastern Michigan University, Chair; Alan Glazer, Franklin & Marshall College; Judith Sage, University of Illinois at Chicago; Mary Alice Seville, Oregon State University)

Charge: Complete and analyze results of a survey of accounting departments in states that have implemented the 150-hour requirement and of schools in which the rule will be effective within the next two years. The results are to be provided to survey respondents and through the Section Newsletter and meetings.

The primary issue being addressed is whether the effect of the 150-credit hour requirement is similar on large, flagship schools as compared to smaller, nonflagship schools. The issue of possible differential effects across institutional types has not received much attention in the literature.

Mid-Year Meeting Committee (Committee Members: Bill N. Schwartz, Virginia Commonwealth University, Chair; Richard L. Ott, Kansas State University; Michael P. Riordon, James Madison University; Karin A. Fortin, University of Baltimore)

Charge: To serve the Section members and determine whether or not the Teaching & Curriculum Section should have a mid-year meeting.

Membership Committee (Committee Members: Donald E. Wygal, Rider University, Chair; David Dennis, Otterbein College; Ian King, Sussex University, UK; Michael H. Morris, University of Notre Dame)

Charge: The mission of the Membership Committee is to increase enrollment in the Section to better reflect its keynote importance. Issues pertaining to teaching and curriculum should be of importance to all accounting educators and practitioners. Accordingly, all members of the AAA should be members of the Section.

An expanded membership base will allow for participation from educators and practitioners reflecting a variety of institutional missions, both in the U.S. and overseas, thereby enhancing our ability to monitor and address emerging educational issues.

The First Course in Accounting Committee (Committee Members: Robin W. Roberts, Iowa State University, Chair; James M. Kurtenbach, Iowa State University; David Malone, University of Idaho; Alan Cherry, Loyola University; Susan Wolcott, University of Denver)

Charge: The purpose of this committee is to study and report on the role of the first accounting course in higher education. The committee has set the following goals for its 1996-97 activities: (1) Because this committee is viewed by the Section as a standing committee, the coming year's charge includes the development of an appropriate strategy from which to analyze the purpose, design, execution, and outcomes of the first course in accounting. The committee will review prior analyses of introductory accounting (e.g., AECC pronouncements, AAA documents, AACSB materials, related journal articles) as the starting point for this activity. (2) Based on a review of prior work, the committee will gather information from multiple constituencies (e.g., accounting professors, college administrators) regarding their views of the role of the first course in accounting. The results will be analyzed and compared with findings from prior research. (3) The committee will develop a report on the results of its activities. The report will include a synthesis of prior work related to the first course in accounting, a summary of the information gathered by the committee, and recommendations for the continuing study of introductory accounting.

Two-Year College Issues (Committee Members: Janet Cassagio, Nassau Community College, Chair; Barbara Chiappetta and Lynn Mazzola, Nassau Community College; Ellen Seat, DeKalb College)

Charge: To keep abreast of and report on activities related to teaching and curriculum issues currently being (1) investigated and implemented by two-year colleges, including but not limited to articulation and first-year courses in accounting; (2) addressed, presented and reported to the Two-Year College Section of the AAA; and (3) addressed by the National Committee on Two-Year Relations of the AAA.

Evaluating Teaching Effectiveness (Committee Members: Hartwell C. Herring, III, University of Tennessee, chair; Michael T. Dugan, University of Alabama; Michael T. Finch, Austin Peay State University; Norma C. Holter, Towson State University)

Charge: Evaluate the effectiveness of, and faculty attitudes toward, peer evaluation of teaching. Techniques may include any of all of the following: literature review, survey of accounting faculty; survey of accounting program administrators; and, interviews.

Research in Accounting Education (Committee Members: James E. Rebele, Lehigh University, Chair; Frank Buckless, North Carolina State University; John M. Hassell, Indiana University; Laurence R. Paquette, Westfield State College)

Charge: Over the past several years, the interest in conducting and using the results of accounting education research has increased dramatically. The number of journals publishing accounting education research has increased, education-related issues generate great interest at conferences and professional meetings, and the focus of many accounting programs has shifted, to varying degrees, from basic research to education. These changes present an opportunity, and responsibility, to focus on improving the quality and acceptability of accounting education research.

The Committee's charge is to consider and begin discussion on ways to improve the quality and acceptability of accounting education research. Among the potential topics to be considered by the Committee are the importance and relevance of accounting education research questions, the rigor of research methods being used, the impact of accounting education research findings on the quality of accounting education, and the use of continuing education sessions to improve the skills of accounting education researchers. In addition to surveying the current status for these issues, ways of improving in each of these areas will also be explored by the Committee. Finally, the Committee will attempt to put together a comprehensive literature review of empirical accounting education research reports published over the past five years.

Nominations Committee (Committee Members: E. Kent St. Pierre, University of Delaware, Chair; Julia Karcher, University of Louisville; Michael Nibbelin, Eastern Illinois University)

Charge: The chair of this committee supervises the election of a nominations committee at the Annual AAA Meeting. The committee's purpose is to secure a slate of candidates to fill vacancies on the Executive Committee of the Section.

Electronic Technology & Media Committee (Committee Chair: Meg Dwyer, University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire; Skip White, University of Delaware; Carol Venable, San Diego State University; Barry Rice, Loyola University; David Byrd, Southwest Missouri State University)

Charge: Mange the Section's Home Page on the Internet, interface with the AAA's Webmaster, and update and make available on the Section's Home Page the Graduate Accounting Resource Guide.