Background information is presented on the history and operation of educational research and development (R&D) centers supported by the National Institute of Education (NIE). The objective is to provide information for the four study groups that are assisting NIE in identifying missions for center competition. In addition, some lessons that can be applied to the 1985 competition and to monitoring R&D centers in the future are suggested. Information was obtained from a literature review, interviews with center institutional monitors, and the experiences of a former R&D center program director who became a NIE staff member. Attention is directed to R&D center program management by the U.S. Office of Education during 1963-1972, the implementation and reversal of a program purchase policy under the management of NIE during 1972-1978; and an institutional support policy enacted by NIE during 1979-1983. The following issues are examined: whether the centers have been programmatic, whether the primary responsibility for identifying needed research projects and designing projects should be with the federal government or with investigators in the field, the sponsorship of centers by universities, and the relationship between research and practice. Four NIE program management issues are also covered. (SW)