This paper describes a series of proposed analyses that would make use of existing information from national surveys of the school-aged population and other large-scale databases in order to illuminate trends in the makeup, life circumstances, schooling, and educational achievement of the population of United States children that is eligible for compensatory education services. The proposed analyses address the following major questions (1) What are the demographic characteristics of United States children from low-income families, and how have these characteristics changed over time? (2) What is the latest statistical evidence about the relationship between poverty and educational achievement, and is there any sign that this relationship has changed over time? (3) What is the latest statistical evidence about the relationship between poverty and the quality of educational services received by students, and is there any sign that this relationship has changed? (4) What are some of the implications of the demographic characteristics and population trends for the organization and delivery of compensatory education services? For each proposed analysis, the paper provides the following: the purpose of the analysis; the rationale for carrying it out; the databases that could be used to provide the required information; the steps involved in analyzing these data; an estimate of the effort required; and suggestions for coordinating the task with the other proposed analyses. In addition, the report contains selected references to previous studies on the same or related topics, and to written descriptions of the recommended databases. (KH)