EDUCATION RESEARCH: Education Should Improve Assessmentsof R&D Centers, Regional Labs, and Comprehensive Centers

The Congress and the administration have emphasized the importance of a

scientifically sound research base to improve teaching and learning in the

nation’s schools. To develop this research base and promote the use of

research-based practices, the Department of Education (Education) is

charged with sponsoring research and developing and disseminating

research-based activities, such as technical assistance. Education

administers over a thousand grants, cooperative agreements,1 and

contracts that fund educational research, development of materials, new

methods of instruction and practices in teaching, dissemination of

research results, and technical assistance activities. Some of these grants

and contracts are administered through the Office of Educational

Research and Improvement (OERI), but others are administered

elsewhere in Education.