Research and Development in Education: Analysis and Program Development.

Overview & Synopsis

This report examines in detail the major goals of the National Institute of Education (NIE); i.e., improving (1) the quality of education, (2) education for the disadvantaged, and (3) resource use in education. It first examines the domain of education in the United States, considering the objectives of education and the role of the formal educational system in its relation to all the societal sources of education. Brief presentations are made of the evidence in the most serious areas of failure to meet educational goals. NIE subgoals to help improve the quality of education -- providing a rigorous intellectual challenge, expanding opportunities for students to experience effectual action, reintegrating schooling and "real life", fostering educational diversity, and encouraging articulation of the goals and process of education -- are then defined and examined. Examined next are NIE subgoals for acquiring more authentic knowledge of the poor child; adapting educational practices to the realities of home, community and peer interactions; and responding to heightened awareness of educational deficiencies. Problems involved in attempting to improve resource use in education are examined according to internal efficiency, external efficiency, and distributional equity. The document briefly examines some constraints and limitations to R&D in education and suggests several strategies for overcoming them. In conclusion, the suggested program initiatives are summarized in terms of the educational goals they address. A 15-page bibliography is included. (Author/DN)