This is a report from a conference of selected black educators, professionals, and citizens that was convened to provide an outline of the kinds of educational concerns and problems affecting blacks in America which the National Institute of Education (NIE) might use as a basis for formulating its research and development (R&D) efforts. The participants generally felt that the educational R&D efforts of NIE in the black community are more properly focused on participation in policy formation, design of programs, selection of researchers, identification of relevant problems, selection of methodologies employed to conduct research, administration and approval of research projects, and legitimization of R&D efforts in black communities. Other problems and concerns rated high by participants were directed toward the control and governance of schools, the administration of schools for fostering community development, the impact of integration on schooling and the black community, the location and training of black researchers, the transition problems facing black students in schools, the communication patterns influencing the development of the black community, and the creation of internship and apprentice opportunities. (Author/JA)