The field of educational administration is particularly hampered in coordinating the areas of research and development. The politics, economics, and social conditions surrounding administrative practice and its study in the university setting have not been conducive to development work. Research and development directed toward educational administration and intended to produce educational improvement are almost nonexistent. However, development work using competency-based approaches offers a significant and viable means to educational improvement. A research and development approach utilizing competency-based concepts could be productive in the identification of competencies for various roles, in role analysis, in performance measurement, in program evaluation, and in other important areas. (Author)