A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

OERI REORGANIZATION

The Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) was reauthorized in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act signed into law March 31, 1994 (see Spring/Summer OERI Bulletin). As a result, OERI has been in the process of reorganizing to align itself with the new legislation. A July 7 Federal Register announcement asked for comments about the new organization and its priorities. The deadline for comments has been extended to November 9, 1994.

Following a planning phase that included internal and external participants, preliminary organizational changes were announced in September. The reorganization will not be final until the beginning of 1995. The anticipated new organizational units, most of which are required by law, will be

National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education
National Institute on Educational Governance, Finance, Policy-Making, and Management
National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning
National Institute on Student Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment
National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students
National Library of Education
Office of Reform Assistance and Dissemination
Media and Information Services

Grants and activities of the National Center for Education Statistics and Library Programs will continue as part of OERI but are authorized separately.

During the transition, acting directors have been named to manage ongoing activities and assist in establishing the new units. They will work closely with the National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board--also established by the reauthorization--which will be named this fall.

Consistent with the National Performance Review, OERI will have fewer organizational layers and will emphasize teams within the individual offices to allow for a more flexible approach to program management. In addition, cross-cutting teams from all parts of OERI will encourage collaboration in providing customers with the best possible products and services.

Future issues of the OERI Bulletin will provide more information as the structure becomes final.

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