The Research and Development Exchange (RDx) is a network of eight regional educational laboratories, one university-based research and development center, and a consortium of seven state education agencies working to support state and local school improvement efforts. The RDx has four goals, designed to support dissemination and school improvement…

Purposes and functions of regional research and development (R&D) services sponsored by the National Institute of Education (NIE) are described, based on a task force's assessment of R&D services provided by regional laboratories. The historical context of the following questions are addressed: whether the conduct of R&D constitutes a…

This paper describes the need for a regional dissemination system; the conceptualization of the Southwest Educational Development Labortory (SEDL) Regional Exchange as part of the nation-wide Research and Development Exchange (RDx); and the operation of the SEDL Regional Exchange (RX). It emphasizes that the Research and Development Exchange is…

This project used interviews, questionnaires, and bibliographic research to investigate the role and attitudes of sponsors, performers, and users of educational research and development. The report is in five chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 present findings on sponsors; chapter 3 reports on performers; chapter 4 describes users; and chapter 5 presents…

In this report of the Panel for the Review of Laboratory and Center Operations to the director of the National Institute of Education, the results of site visits and reviews of long range plans of 17 research and development centers and regional educational laboratories are analyzed. Following a brief overview of the history of educational…

THE KNOWLEDGE GAP BETWEEN INITIAL RESEARCH AND FINAL USE IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF THE FOUR STATES OF THE THEORY-PRACTICE CONTINUUM (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DIFFUSION, AND ADOPTION). THE TWO MIDDLE STAGES ARE EMPHASIZED. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTERS, REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES, AND TITLE III PROJECTS ARE SUGGESTED AS AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE…

The purposes of this conference paper are to point out major research needs in educational administration and to stimulate exploration of methods to resolve those needs. Discussions of apparent problems in educational administration research and suggested responses to these problems are followed by important questions concerning research needs.…

Several documents concerning regional educational laboratories are reviewed, key propositions are analyzed, and recommendations are proposed. Attention is directed to the way that labs and centers operate with regard to dissemination and school improvement. Overviews are presented of two major reports: "R&D Funding Policies of the…

To further the National Institute of Education's goal of ensuring a coordinated and nationally linked outreach capability for providing schools with the knowledge and services generated through research and development (R&D), the nation's R&D centers developed an interorganizational and collaborative school improvement program known as the…

This report presents results of a critical analysis of 20 regional educational laboratories and nine university research and development centers established under ESEA Title IV. Observations, supported by specific examples, are made concerning the laboratories and centers and deal with their roles, programs definitions, impact on educational…

A number of research studies have shown that the factors important to academic achievement are time allocated to instruction, the amount of time students actively engage in learning, and the degree of success they experience while learning. To put this into practice, personnel with the Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory (McREL) have…

The effectiveness of four technical assistance-oriented services/products of one regional educational laboratory was studied. The services/products studied included a thinking skills activities workbook for classroom teachers, a videotape for rural educators on exemplary software for developing the thinking skills of at-risk students, a research…

This document provides an overview of the Regional Educational Laboratory operated by the Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) during 1986-1990. AEL staff works with educators in ongoing research and development-based efforts to improve education and educational opportunity in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Part I of the…

The inadequacy of the American public school system can only be remedied by an opportunity to make radical changes in educational techniques and institutions. It is the elected official, not the educator, who makes the basic educational policy that is mediocre and rigid. Most educators have had little experience with developing a cohesive program…