The House Subcommittee on Select Education asked the General Accounting Office (GAO) to study the condition of information on education in the United States during selected years between 1973 and 1986. The resulting report covers three areas: (1) the nature and amount of federally sponsored information on education; (2) the quality of such information; and (3) factors influencing production and quality of the information. The study consisted of a review of information-gathering activities of the three principal units of the Department of Education, namely, the National Institute of Education; the National Center for Education Statistics; and the Office of Planning, Budget, and Evaluation. The GAO also examined the quality of information through analysis of three statistical programs, namely, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the Common Core of Data for Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Fast Response Survey System. Performance assessments concentrated on relevance, timeliness, technical adequacy, and impact. Results indicate a decline in federally sponsored research and in statistical and evaluative information on education; a shift away from collection of new data to service-oriented activities; and a trend toward contract awards to institutions rather than field-related endeavors. Agency comments and recommendations are outlined. (TJH)