Eric.ed.gov – Institute of Education Science Findings from Interviews with Education Policymakers.

This reports presents interview findings with education policymakers on various aspects of educational research. The sampling contained the following groups: superintendents and other local education officials; chief state school officers; state higher education executive officers; state legislators; governors’ educational policy advisors; congressional staff members; and education association executive directors. Altogether, 142 interviews were conducted. The interviews covered the following aspects of educational research: (1) research priority areas from policymakers’ perspectives; (2) access to and use of existing research; (3) assessment of existing research; and (4) suggestions for improving education research. Student achievement–especially achievement in reading, math, and science–and its relationship to effective instruction, curricula, programs, and policies was the highest priority for research shared by the policymakers interviewed across groups. Respondents also expressed the importance of research in teacher development and quality; assessment and accountability; educational finance; and achievement gaps. Among major policy interests, respondents cited the financing of education as their major concern. Appended are the study’s methodology, interview protocol and instrument, a sample introductory letter, and counts by frequency of reading research reports. (WFA)