The purposes of a study were to (1) obtain the perceptions of state directors of adult education on selected research topics; (2) identify national priorities that will have an impact on the adult education program; and (3) investigate adult education programs that could enhance the educational development of 52 million educationally disadvantaged adults in the United States. The study identified selected categories with supporting elements that could be useful in strengthening adult education. The literature review focused upon five major research areas: (1) the nature and extent of adult literacy; (2) the most cost-effective means of reaching the illiterate population; (3) the potential use of technology in adult education programs; (4) supporting exemplary cooperative adult education programs; and (5) models and means for improving adult education opportunities for elderly individuals and adult immigrants. A 5-point variation of the Likert scale was developed for participant responses to 37 research-related statements. Of the 57 state directors of adult education to whom this research priorities' instrument was sent, 27 responded, a 45.6% rate of return. Results from the data collected were sufficient to obtain a computed mean score and rank order listing for each statement, percentage distribution of responses for the three classifications, the number of responses obtained for each statement, and a ranked mean score for all five research categories. The concern of the respondents in selecting student outreach and recruitment as the most important statement clearly recognizes the difficulties involved in recruiting students throughout the United States. (Fifty-eight references and seven tables are included.) (NLA)