This hearing was called as one of a series of hearings to address concerns related to the role of the Federal Government and the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) in reaching the goal of providing equal educational opportunity to all in the United States. Arguing that significant inequalities in educational opportunities still exist, Major R. Owens (Representative from New York and chairman of the subcommittee) points out that these inequalities are most evident in the nation's inner cities and among minorities. He further argues that the federal government has a clear responsibility to provide leadership in the conduct and support of the scientific inquiry into the educational process that is necessary to achieve the goal of quality education. A major problem identified by Owens is the need for additional support for school systems that must provide effective educational programs for at-risk students. The primary concerns addressed by this hearing are the relevance of OERI and its activities to urban schools, at-risk populations, and minority populations; the scale of the long-term problems in education; and effective research and improvement strategies that can adequately respond to these problems. In addition to the opening statement and a prepared statement by Owens, this report includes testimony and prepared statements from six witnesses: (1) Robert A. Dentler, Professor of Sociology, University of Massachusetts at Boston; (2) Christopher Edley, Jr., Professor of Law, Harvard University; (3) Paul T. Hill, co-author of "Educational Progress: Cities Mobilize To Improve Their Schools"; (4) Gerald Jaynes, Study Director, "A Common Destiny: Blacks and American Society"; (5) Lee Etta Powell, Superintendent of Schools, Cincinnati, Ohio; and (6) Wornie Reed, Director, Trotter Institute of Black Culture, University of Massachusetts at Boston. Also included is a prepared statement by Maria E. Torres-Guzman from Teachers College, Columbia University. (BBM)