This report of a hearing on the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (U.S. Department of Education) focuses on programs that may help the plight of black males in the country's educational system, i.e., ways in which educational research and reform can address the problems of equal education, high dropout rates, poor student attitudes, low academic achievement, and the need for educational improvement for minority children generally. After an introduction and opening statement by Major R. Owens, Chairman, testimony and/or prepared statements and other materials from the following representatives from the field of education are presented: (1) W. Curtis Banks, Psychology Department, Howard University; (2) Steven Bossert, Bruce Hare, and William Pollard, Syracuse University; (3) Jomills Henry Braddock II, Director, Center for Research on Effective Schooling; (4) Norma Ewing, Chairperson, Special Education Department, Southern Illinois University; (5) Henry Frierson, Jr., Office of Educational Development, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; (6) Geneva Gay, Purdue University; Michael K. Grady, Prince George's County Public Schools; (7) Larry Hawkins, Institute for Athletics and Education, University of Chicago; (8) Barbara Holmes, Director, Education Commission of the States; (9) Shirley M. McBay, President, Quality Education for Minorities Network; (10) William Oliver, Criminal Justice Program, University of Delaware; and (11) Warren Simmons, Director of Equity Assurance Programs, Prince George's County Public Schools. (DB)