This report presents the results of a survey of 100 education-related information clearinghouses that was conducted to determine their current budget and funding levels, describes key characteristics of both federally and nonfederally supported clearinghouses, and recommends ways for the federal government to improve coordination among groups of them. Increased coordination is proposed to help clearinghouse sponsors provide more cost-effective services to education information users. Focusing on the federal government's role in education-related clearinghouses, the first section profiles the proliferation of such clearinghouses, which reported in 1988 an estimated aggregate budget of $44,570,000, with 1,522,639 requests being directly responded to. Also discussed is the potential for clearinghouses to systematically organize and distribute government information as a sensible national responsibility. The next section describes the nature and methodology of the study, and provides definitions of national education-related databases and information centers. The third section presents the findings about clearinghouses, including their type and size; content focus; users; accessibility; database items; user services; dissemination; technical assistance; and compatibility with ERIC. The final section presents assumptions and detailed recommendations for Congress, federal agencies, other organizations, and clearinghouse users for supporting cost-effective services. A list of clearinghouses is appended. (6 references) (SD)