The Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources reports favorably on the bill (S. 286) to extend and strengthen authorities of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) and to promote a number of education-improvement programs through fiscal year 1999. OERI is the research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Education. In spite of the importance of its duties, funding in terms of constant dollars has decreased approximately 80% since 1973. The proposed act seeks to reverse this trend by redefining the authorities, functions, and responsibilities of the office, and establishing five new research directorates. The bill also creates a nonpartisan Advisory Board of Educational Research to review research and evaluate its quality. An Office of Dissemination and Reform Assistance is established to provide national coordination, and regional education laboratories are established to advance the National Education Goals. In addition, S. 286 includes a minority focused civic education program for improved instruction in civics for minorities and Native Americans. This initiative also supports teacher education in civics. The Committee believes that this act will support educational research of the highest quality and will strengthen the flow of information and technical assistance to every student. (SLD)