This paper discusses the advent of the technological revolution, the challenges presented to higher education and the Federal Government, and the profound changes in education that the computer will stimulate over the coming decades. Higher education's contribution would include research that assists business and industry to advance the…

The relationship between federal policy and educational research is discussed by the Assistant Secretary for Research and Improvement and Counselor to the Secretary of the Department of Education. Issues covered include federal funding, with particular attention to the department's recent fiscal year budget submissions for the Office of…

Due to an increased awareness of the need for accountability in vocational education, much attention is being focused upon competency-based vocational education. The U.S. Office of Education is supporting work for the development of competency measures for vocational skill areas. Two occupational competency tests in each of seven areas will be…

Existing data are summarized and original data provided on minority participation rates in alternative services among the elderly. Data from several federally-funded programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, are presented. A group of 32 counties in the US, representing a universe of counties in which minorities constitute a large proportion of…

Assessing results of grants programs is illustrated with evaluation activities of the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies. Methods considered are ex-ante peer review of proposed work, ex-post peer review of completed work, publications-based methods, and "look-back" methods tracing contributions of past work and…

The role of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in supporting college science and engineering education at the undergraduate level is discussed, along with important factors in the national environment, including economic challenges facing the country, and the foundation's relationship to research and education. Because of a shift to a global…

Sources of research funds for undergraduate faculty and ways to secure the funds are discussed. Information on three federal grant programs is provided, along with advice for obtaining funds from foundations and corporations, including techniques for gathering information on prospective funding sources. Suggestions on the process of preparing…

Central to this collection of nine papers is the unifying theme of excellence and quality in the American educational system with emphasis on the role of educational technology. Although each paper addresses a different audience, the content of each is similar with respect to the U.S. Department of Education's role in providing funds for such…

Longitudinal educational research in Sweden is described, with emphasis on research used for educational planning and evaluation. Educational reforms have reflected the societal goal of improved welfare for the whole population. Research is generally supported by the National Board of Education and conducted by universities. To perform educational…

Pointing out a serious decline in the educational attainment of the nation's youth, this discussion of ways in which technology can begin to renew and improve education in American schools argues that, just as cable television and computer teleconferencing opened communication capabilities, the microcomputer presents unlimited possibilities for…

A research project underway at the University of Arizona is described, and the usefulness of the national data system of the Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) to institutional researchers, as well as some drawbacks of the system, are considered. The need for institutions to have data on enrollment, budgets, and faculty/students…

Pointing out the dilemmas facing educators today in preparing people for the future, this paper discusses the supply and demand nature of the job market and the growing need for better educational opportunities, and describes opportunities provided by the concept of the newly founded Electronic University. The importance of research is emphasized,…

The paper describes the perspective of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services on special education research. The process for reviewing research proposals is explained, along with procedures for selecting experts in the field for creating registers of reviewers. Also discussed are the number of points allocated to different…

Pointing out the current need for emphasis on academic achievement and excellence, this paper discusses challenges faced by educators in seeking to make the best use of advanced technologies to prepare students for life in the information society. The three major goals of education are identified as preparing individuals with the computer skills…