[Federal Register: June 6, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 110)] [Notices] [Page 28858] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Research Priorities Plan; Invitation for Public Comment and Notice of Availability of the Proposed Research Priorities Plan: ``Building on What We've Learned: Developing Priorities for Education Research'' SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement is developing a research priorities plan which shall recommend priorities for the investment of the resources of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement over the next five-, ten-, and fifteen-year periods. The development of this plan is required by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement's authorizing legislation, the ``Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994.'' In accordance with 20 U.S.C. 6011(f)(2)(B), the Assistant Secretary has issued a proposed research priorities plan and seeks public comment on the content of the proposed plan. DATES: All comments concerning this proposed plan must be received on or before August 5, 1996. ADDRESSES: All comments concerning this proposed plan should be addressed to Judith I. Anderson, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW., Room 510, Washington, DC 20208-5573. Comments may also be sent through Internet to (Judith__Anderson@ed.gov). TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS PROPOSED PLAN AND FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammra Gill. Telephone (202) 219-1556. Internet electronic mail address (research__plan@inet.ed.gov). Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On March 31, 1994, President Clinton signed Public Law 103-227, which includes Title IX--the ``Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994'' (the ``Act'') (20 U.S.C. 6001 et seq.). The Act restructured the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) and endowed it with a broad mandate to conduct an array of research, development, dissemination, and improvement activities aimed at strengthening the education of all students. The Act established the following five national research institutes within OERI: (1) The National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment; (2) The National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students; (3) The National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policymaking, and Management; (4) The National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education; and (5) The National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning. The Act authorized the Assistant Secretary to conduct research, development, demonstration, and evaluation activities to carry out the purposes for which these Institutes were established. The Act also required the establishment of a National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board (the ``Board'') to work collaboratively with the Assistant Secretary to identify priorities to guide the work of OERI. Statutory Requirements The legislation directed the Assistant Secretary to work collaboratively with the Board to develop a research priorities plan that will recommend priorities for the investment of resources over the next five-, ten-, and fifteen-year periods, including as priorities those areas of inquiry in which further research, development and dissemination-- (a) is necessary to attain the National Education Goals; (b) promises to yield the greatest practical benefits to teachers and other educators in terms of improving education; and (c) will not be undertaken in sufficient scope or intensity by the other Federal and non-Federal entities engaged in Education research and development. Invitation To Comment Interested persons are invited to submit comments including suggestions on how to strengthen this document. The Department is especially interested in hearing what commenters believe to be the most important and promising educational research opportunities for the next five, ten and fifteen years. All comments submitted in response to this proposed plan will be available for public inspection, during and after the comment period, in Room 510, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays. Dated: May 30, 1996. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number does not apply) Sharon P. Robinson, Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement. [FR Doc. 96-14164 Filed 6-5-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-P