The Committee on the Federal Role in Education Research (CFRER), convened by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), studied the structure, operations, and functioning of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) in the Department of Education and the organizations it supports, and reviewed the roles of other agencies and the overall research needs of U.S. education. The United States is currently committed to education reform, in which the OERI may play a major role. The examination of the OERI found an agency severely challenged by external difficulties as well as internal problems. External problems include public conflicts about education and funding. Internal problems include a weak advisory council and frequent administrative turnover. Uneven quality control, limited coordination among OERI offices, and poor information dissemination are flaws that should be overcome. The CFRER concludes that the OERI should be rebuilt. CFRER recommendations are grouped according to: (1) governance; (2) organization and functions; (3) operations; and (4) funding. To accomplish its redefined functions, the OERI should receive a substantial funding increase. There is a 220-item list of references, and an appendix gives biographical sketches of 17 CFRER and staff members. (SLD)