The results, and their implications, of research described in the report "Education Information: Changes in Funds and Priorities Have Affected Production and Quality" are discussed. Prepared by the General Accounting Office (GAO), the above research report covered selected years between 1973 and 1986. High-quality information on education is essential to the tasks of overseeing the use of federal resources, assessing the nation's progress, and identifying areas for improvement. In the last decade, federally sponsored research and statistical and evaluative information have declined dramatically. As less information was produced, there was also a shift from new data production to service-oriented activities. Three statistical series were evaluated: (1) the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP); (2) the Common Core of Data (CCD); and (3) the Fast Response Survey System (FRSS). The NAEP was rated high for relevance, timeliness, adequacy, and impact. The CCD was not rated highly, and the FRSS received mixed reviews. The overall picture is one of many reasons for concern about the production and quality of educational information, due mainly to the following interacting factors: (1) declines in funding; (2) the role of congressional mandates; and (3) changes in leadership and priorities. It is noted that the Department of Education does not share this pessimistic assessment made by the GAO. (SLD)