Definition of Actr

American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR) is an organization that has to advance research, training, and materials development in the fields of Russian and English language; to strengthen communication within and between the communities of scholars and educators in language, literature, and area studies in the United States and the countries of eastern Europe, Russia and Eurasia; and to further educational reform through training, institution building, and technical assistance. It was first founded in 1974. In the mid-1980s with the gradual opening of Soviet society, the ACTR board established American Council for Collaboration in Education and Language Study (ACCELS). The ACCELS led in the administration of U.S. government-funded exchanges in the humanities, social sciences, economics, business, law, public administration, and educational administration. In 1998, ACTR changed its name to the American Councils for International Education (ACIE), and ACTR and ACCELS continue as divisions of the American Councils. ACTR is the professional association and the focus of educational, training, and research programs for U.S. citizens; ACCELS administers the exchange, training, and technical assistance programs with the countries of eastern Europe, Russia, and Eurasia.