A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Office of Educational Research and Improvement

OERI Web Page

The Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) provides national leadership in cultivating and expanding the public's fundamental knowledge and understanding of education. Moreover, OERI aggressively promotes the application of such knowledge to improve practice in the classroom. OERI also monitors the state of education and stimulates excellence and equity in education and the achievement of the National Education Goals by spurring reform in the school systems throughout the United States. OERI accomplishes these activities through its active collaboration with researchers, teachers, school administrators, librarians, parents, students, employers and policy-makers.

OERI directs, coordinates and recommends policy for activities that are designed to accomplish the following:

• Improve the quality of education and ensure access to equal educational opportunities for all individuals.

• Conduct basic and applied research on the teaching and learning process; the economic, social and policy contexts of education; and other areas defined as high priority.

• Collect and analyze statistical data on the current condition of education and project education trends.

• Demonstrate, disseminate and adapt new knowledge and practices to various education settings.

• Support learning opportunities through libraries, the information superhighway and emerging technologies.

• Promote coordination between the Department's education research and development programs and the related activities of other federal agencies.

• Forge a national consensus with respect to a long-term agenda for education research, development, dissemination and other activities through collaborative efforts with the National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board as well as with external constituencies.

National Educational Research Institutes

The reauthorization of OERI created five National Research Institutes focused on different topics. Each institute has been given a separate Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number. All grant programs administered by each institute are identified by the institute's CFDA number followed by an alpha. Each institute, the CFDA number identified with the institute, and each institute's phone number are listed below.

The National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum and Assessment
(CFDA: 84.305)
555 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20208-5573
202-219-2079, Fax: 202-219-2135

The National Institute on Education of At-Risk Students
(CFDA: 84.306)
555 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20208-5573
202-219-2230, Fax: 202-219-2030

The National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education
(CFDA: 84.307)
555 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20208-5520
202-219-1935, Fax: 202-219-4768

The National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policymaking and Management
(CFDA: 84.308)
555 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20208-5510
202-219-2032, Fax: 202-219-2159

The National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning
(CFDA: 84.309)
555 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20208-5531
202-219-2064, Fax: 202-501-3005

Field-Initiated Studies

OERI institutes administer the Field-Initiated Studies Program, which supports studies designed to meet the education research and development needs of the United States. Applicants are invited to select a topic from OERI's Research Priorities Plan. Below are the contacts for each institute's field-initiated studies.

National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum and Assessment:
Clara Lawson-Holmes, 202-219-2079
E-mail: clara.lawson@ed.gov

National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students
Beth Fine, 202-219-1323
E-mail: beth.fine@ed.gov

National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education
Veda Bright, 202-219-2016
E-mail: veda.bright@ed.gov

National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policymaking and Management
Duc-Le To, 202-219-2248
E-mail: duc-le.to@ed.gov

National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries and Lifelong Learning
Delores Monroe, 202-219-2229
E-mail: delores.monroe@ed.gov

National Educational Research and Development Centers

To help improve and strengthen student learning in the United States, OERI's five research institutes support 10 university-based national education Research and Development Centers. The centers address specific topics such as early childhood education, student achievement in core academic subjects, and teacher preparation and training. In addition, most of the centers focus on the education of disadvantaged children. Many centers collaborate with other universities; many work with elementary and secondary schools. Centers may be contacted directly (see below) for a catalog of their publications and services.

Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk
Johns Hopkins University
3505 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-516-8800

National Center to Enhance Early Development and Learning
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-4100
919-966-4250

National Center for Postsecondary Improvement
Stanford Institute for Higher Education Research
508 Ceras Building
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-4125
415-723-7727

Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing
University of California, LA
Graduate School of Education
405 Hilgard Avenue
1339 Moore Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90024-1522
310-206-1530

National Research and Development Center on Achievement in School Mathematics and Science
Wisconsin Center for Education Research
1025 West Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53706
608-263-3605

National Research and Development
Center on Increasing the Effectiveness of State and Local Education Reform Efforts
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
3440 Market Street, Suite 560
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3325
215-573-0700, ext. 224

National Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second Language Learning
Regents of the University of California
University of California at Santa Cruz
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
408-459-4114

National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented
University of Connecticut
362 Fairfield Road, U-7
Storrs, CT 06269-2007
860-486-4676

National Reading Research Center
University of Georgia
318 Aderhold
Athens, GA 30602-7125
706-542-3678

National Research Center on Improving Student Learning and Achievement in English
Research Foundation of the State of
New York
University of Albany, SUNY
School of Education
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222
518-442-5029

National Center for Education Statistics

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the United States and other nations. The center fulfills a congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze and report full and complete statistics on the condition of education in the United States; conduct and publish reports and specialized analyses of the meaning and significance of such statistics; assist state and local education agencies in improving their statistical systems; and review and report on education activities in foreign countries.

The center's activities are designed to address high-priority education data needs; provide consistent, reliable, complete and accurate indicators of education status and trends; and report timely, useful and high-quality data to the Department, Congress and other education policy-makers and data users. The center includes the Office of the Commissioner and the following four divisions: Statistical Standards and Methodology, Data Development, Education Surveys, and Education Assessment.

Office of the Commissioner

The Office of the Commissioner of Education Statistics offers information about NCES plans and programs and guidance in accessing its many databases.
Maureen Tracy, 202-219-1828
E-mail: maureen.tracy@ed.gov

Statistical Standards and Methodology

The Statistical Standards and Methodology group provides state-of-the-art technical and statistical support to the center and to federal and nonfederal organizations and entities that engage in statistical work in support of the mission of NCES.
Sam Peng, 202-219-1643
E-mail: samuel.peng@ed.gov

Data Development

The Data Development group focuses the content and design of National Center for Education Statistics programs—improving analyses, distribution and use of products and increasing international activities.
Mary Frase, 202-219-1807
E-mail: mary.frase@ed.gov

Education Assessment

The Education Assessment group conceives, designs, develops, implements and reports on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and conducts a variety of related education assessment studies. The division gathers, analyzes and synthesizes qualitative and quantitative data on American education and related policy and background factors.
Gary Phillips, 202-219-1763
E-mail: gary.phillips@ed.gov

Education Surveys

The Education Surveys Division oversees planning, design, operations, statistical analysis, reporting and dissemination for elementary, secondary, vocational, postsecondary and library surveys. The division ensures the preservation of statistical quality and maintains liaisons with department officials, federal agencies, state and local education agencies, and postsecondary institutions; and statistical, education and library associations; and other individuals and groups concerned with national elementary, secondary, vocational and postsecondary statistics.
Paul Planchon, 202-219-1616
E-mail: paul.planchon@ed.gov

Office of Reform Assistance and Dissemination

National Awards Program for Effective Teacher Preparation

The Department has developed a new awards program for effective teacher preparation programs. Applicants are asked to provide evidence that their programs prepare teachers who are effective in increasing student achievement.
Sharon Horn, 202-219-2203
E-mail: sharon.horn@ed.gov

National Awards Program for Model Professional Development

This program recognizes innovative and highly effective professional development efforts in schools and districts that have been shown to significantly improve teachers' classroom practices and to contribute to increasing student achievement.
Sharon Horn, 202-219-2203
E-mail: sharon.horn@ed.gov

Blue Ribbon Schools

This program identifies and nationally recognizes public and private schools that are unusually effective in meeting local, state and national goals in educating all of their students. Applications for this program are available from state education agencies.
Cathy Crossley, 202-219-2149
E-mail: cathy.crossley@ed.gov

Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Research Center

The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented researches methods of identifying and teaching gifted and talented students. The center undertakes program evaluations, surveys and the collection, analysis and development of information about gifted and talented programs. The program focuses on students who may not be identified through traditional assessment methods, including those who are economically disadvantaged, those who have limited English proficiency and those with disabilities.
Janet Williams, 202-219-1674
E-mail: janet.williams@ed.gov

Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development

The Eisenhower Professional Development Program supports projects of national significance that Secretary Riley determines will contribute to the development and implementation of high-quality professional development activities in the core academic subjects.
Carolyn Warren, 202-219-2206
E-mail: carolyn.warren@ed.gov

Eisenhower Regional Mathematics and Science Education Consortia

This program provides funding to establish and operate regional mathematics and science education consortia. The consortia disseminate exemplary mathematics and science education instructional materials and provide technical assistance to implement teaching methods and assessment tools for elementary and secondary school students, teachers and administrators. The program provides grants for 10 projects that serve multistate regions defined by statute. The consortia provide technical assistance and disseminate materials to aid states, districts and individual educators in implementing exemplary mathematics and science education programs.
Judy Collins, 202-219-2117
E-mail: judy.collins@ed.gov-->

Fund for the Improvement of Education

The Fund for the Improvement of Education provides funds to conduct nationally significant programs to improve the quality of education, assist all students in meeting challenging state content standards and contribute to the achievement of the National Education Goals. A wide variety of specific activities may be funded under this program.
Rebecca Kirchoff, 202-219-2138
E-mail: rebecca.kirchoff@ed.gov

21st Century Community Learning Centers

This program provides grants to rural and inner-city public elementary and secondary schools to plan, implement or expand projects that benefit the education, health, social service, cultural and recreational needs of a rural or inner-city community.
Carol Mitchell or Amanda Clyburn, 202-219-2180
E-mail: carol.j.mitchell@ed.gov or amanda.clyburn@ed.gov

Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Grant Program

The Javits Program provides grants to help build a nationwide capability to meet the needs of the gifted and talented in elementary and secondary schools; to encourage the development of challenging curricula for all students; and to supplement and make more effective state and local expenditures on gifted and talented education. Projects identify gifted and talented students; develop challenging curricula; individualize instruction; involve parents in the education of their children; expand education opportunities by collaborating with business, industry, and other organizations; and provide preservice and in-service training for teachers and other school personnel.
Kelley Berry, 202-219-2096
E-mail: kelley.berry@ed.gov

Regional Technical Support and Professional Development Consortia for Technology

This program supports six consortia that conduct regional programs of professional development, technical assistance and dissemination of information resources that address the particular needs of educators and learners. The consortia use the funds for preservice and in-service training for educators, support technology planning assistance and dissemination of information and resources. The consortia identify and disseminate information on acquiring technology, finding solutions through research and development and applying technologies that improve instruction and student learning. The consortia serve both public and nonpublic schools, focusing on communities with little access to technology. No funds are provided directly to public or private schools.

Catherine Connor, 202-219-8070
E-mail: cconnor@inet.ed.gov

Star Schools Program

Star Schools provides grants to eligible telecommunications partnerships to improve instruction in mathematics, science, foreign languages, literacy skills, vocational education and other subjects. The program also serves underserved populations through the development, construction and acquisition of telecommunications facilities, equipment and instructional programming. The grants include general star schools grants, statewide grants and high school completion and adult literacy grants.

Joseph Wilkes, 202-219-2186
E-mail: joseph.wilkes@ed.gov

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[Office of Vocational and Adult Education]

[Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs]