A Research and Development Agenda for the National Institute of Education. A Report

This paper, one of a series of four initial reports, discusses the rationale for each proposed National Institute of Education (NIE) program. It considers the educational goals to be achieved, variables that can be manipulated to reach the goals, the current practice and status of R&D on the variables, new R&D programs that might lead to goal achievement, and NIE management and budget recommendations for programs. The research and development programs are divided into basic research, improvement of current educational practices, activities to build R&D capability, and programs to solve major educational problems. The paper provides a detailed discussion and analysis of broad educational goals that are further divided into learner goals, enabling goals, and system goals. The criteria for selection of new programs for NIE is also presented. The document gives a detailed description of specialty area and comprehensive NIE programs along with an estimated budget allocation for fiscal years 1972 and 1973. The programs described cover such topics as instructional personnel; curriculum; organizational change; planning, management, and evaluation technologies; experimental schools; career education; home-based early education; learner-controlled education; "unbundling" of higher education; and community education agencies. (Author/DN)