Assessing and Improving Research on Children

This project piloted an improved interagency process for justifying and allocating additional research and development (R&D) directed toward children's issues and made recommendations based on this experience to guide future interagency task forces directed toward research for children. The model that was tested included the following components:

• Establishing an expert panel to work in conjunction with an interagency task force to review research and research syntheses (e.g., reports from National Academy Panels, Carnegie and Packard foundations and others).
• Utilizing the panel to assess the relative importance of successful research in different R&D areas, assess the scientific readiness for rapid progress and make recommendations for establishing research priorities and future research directions.
• Assessing the scientific infrastructure and ways to improve research productivity, including various current large scale data collections The initial effort will focus on working with the interagency task force on children's health behavior and learning to establish a successful model that could be utilized across the larger R&D agenda for children.

Development of 10-Year Strategic Plans for R&D Programs in Reading and Math

This project carried out research, analysis, and planning activities to support the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) in planning and implementing R&D programs that are significantly higher in quality and relevance than in the past. A key feature was the use of sustained study panels of national experts who were supported by work by RAND staff and consultants.

Publications:

• MR-1643-OERI, Mathematical Proficiency for All Students: Toward a Strategic Research and Development Program in Mathematics Education, 2003.
• MR-1465-OERI, Reading for Understanding: Toward an R&D Program in Reading Comprehension, 2002.
• Achievement for All: Solving Crucial Problems Through Education Research (Web site)

Merging Scientists into Educational Reform Efforts

Publication:

• MR-1446-NSF, Merging University Students into K-12 Science Education Reform, 2002.

Research Universities PRD Support

This project assisted OSTP staff in government-wide review of issues affecting government-university research partnerships.

The Challenge of Handling Indirect Costs and their Role in the National R&D Strategy

The Congress called for OSTP to prepare a report analyzing a number of aspects of indirect costs reimbursed to universities engaged in research. RAND assembled information from major sources of data on indirect cost recovery and drew on relevant prior RAND higher education research. These data informed OSTP's efforts in preparing this report. This project provided the platform through which this analytic support was provided.

Publication:

• MR-1125.1-OSTP, Paying for University Research Facilities and Administration, 2000.

Children's Initiative: Towards a Research Agenda Addressing the Physical, Cognitive, and Social Development of America's Children

This project identified and categorized current federal R&D on children's issues.

Publication:

• Contributions to Investing in Our Future: A National Research Initiative for America's Children for the 21st Century, National Science and Technology Council Committee on Fundamental Science, Committee on Health, Safety, and Food, Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Analysis in Support of Interagency Working Group on Learning Technology R&D

This project assisted NSTC working group initiative to strengthen K-12 education.

Assessment of Initial Implementation of Executive Order 12999

In response to EO 12999, "Educational Technology: Ensuring Opportunity for All Children in the Next Century," this project helped federal agencies address barriers in transferring computer equipment to schools and nonprofit organizations.

Publication:

• MR-871-OSTP, Surplus Federal Computers for Schools: An Assessment of the Early Implementation of E.O. 12999, 1997

Analysis in Support of the Challenge Grants for Technology in Education

This project provided analytic support for new program in research, development, and demonstration of education technology administered by the Interagency Technology Office.

Publication:

• MR-839-ED, Evaluating Challenge Grants for Technology in Education: A Sourcebook, 1997.

Department of Education National Plan for Educational Technology

This project helped formulate Department of Education technology strategy consistent with NSTC Committee on Education and Training.

Publication:

• MR-634-OSTP, The Cost of School-Based Education Technology Programs, 1995.

Developing Strategies for Promoting the Use of Technology in Education and Training

This project helped devise national strategy for promoting widespread adoption of information technology in schools and outlined optimal federal role in implementing that strategy.

Publication:

• MR-682-OSTP, Fostering the Use of Educational Technology: Elements of a National Strategy, 1995.