This document describes and presents the results of a project whose general purpose was to field test a set of activities that could upgrade the quality and effectiveness of research and evaluation activities in large urban school districts. Three aspects of this problem were addressed: The need for better conceptual models for evaluation in the school setting; the need for specially-trained, entry-level personnel for school research divisions; and the need for expanding the knowledge and skills of existing staff. The document concludes with a summary of the success of the project and with recommendations regarding evaluation problems in large urban school districts. The appendixes include overviews and outlines of various courses in the training program, the agenda of various training sessions, suggestions for improvement in the courses, and a selected bibliography for a course on classroom research. (Author/DN)