This volume of research papers presents ideas, information, and consensus statements on compensatory education effectiveness by some of the country's leading education researchers. Section one presents a summary of proceedings of the meeting at which the researchers submitted their papers to the Conference Panel and staff of the National Assessment of Education Consolidation and Improvement Act Chapter 1. The conference agenda is also provided in this section. Remaining sections include complete papers of the contributing authors on 26 topics organized into the following five categories, each of which served as the basis for one session during the conference: (1) selecting students and services; (2) program and staffing structures; (3) curriculum and instruction; (4) parent involvement; and (5) relationship between Chapter 1 and regular school programs. The conference participants each served in one of three roles: as literature reviewers and research synthesizers; as reactors who responded to the papers written for a particular session; and as members of the Panel. The discussions among the Panel members resulted in six consensus statements relating to distribution of funds, use of funds, parent involvement, research and development, and goals of Chapter 1 services. Each paper includes a list of references. There are also tables and figures presenting data on student achievement, various compensatory programs, and participant demographics. (PS)