This report reviews the effectiveness of national evaluation activities undertaken by the United States Office of Education, Office of Evaluation and Dissemination (OED) with regard to Title I compensatory education programs. Three major evaluations undertaken by the OED and technical assistance activities developed by the OED are described and discussed. It is generally concluded that national evaluations do not generate meaningful data or recommendations for the improvement of program effectiveness at the local level and that technical assistance activities are expensive alternatives to State agency evaluation activities. Alternatives to national evaluation studies and technical assistance activities are suggested. Emphasis is placed on the need of State and local programs to identify and focus on effective compensatory education practices to more fully meet the needs of educationally deprived children. Attachments to the report include legislative requirements of Title I program evaluations, an outline of OED evaluation activities and a listing of OED technical assistance centers and project directors. (Author/EB)