A Blueprint for Progress in American Education. White Paper.

Until the nation's educational-research base improves, American students will never learn as much as they might and American schools will never be as good as they can be. Those are the conclusions of this white paper, a report of 5 years of analysis and ongoing discussion with parents, teachers, administrators, and researchers by the National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board. The paper states that improving American schools and student achievement involves many factors: safe schools; state-of-the-art facilities; the latest technologies; demanding performance standards; real school accountability; challenging new curricula; parent involvement; ongoing teacher training and development; strong instructional leadership; and more money through equitable school-finance policies. Meeting these challenges, the paper contends, depends on new knowledge based on educational research. High achievement for all students should be focused on research emphasizing reading, second-language learning, and mathematics. To advance the vision of research for the future, the paper offers a 10-point action agenda for Congress and the Administration: (1) mission; (2) student achievement; (3) priorities; (4) quality; (5) utility; (6) continuity in leadership; (7) continuity in staff; (8) continuity in research; (9) continuity in oversight; and (10) financial support. (WFA)