This report presents a detailed picture of educational research and development in the United States. It explores conceptual structures and gives a background description of American education. A brief history of educational research in the United States is followed by long chapters on the sponsors, performers, and management of educational research and development. The report also reviews the financial and manpower resources available and presents an analysis of work supported in fiscal year 1968. Recent reviews of educational research and development are summarized, and in the last chapter the potential impact of research and development in education is considered. The conclusion points up the lack of an overall strategy, inadequate financial support, and manpower shortages for research and development in education and suggests objectives for the future. An appendix contains a list of institutions whose personnel were interviewed for the study. (Author/RT)