The six chapters in this report focus on: (1) a basic orientation for a focused research agenda; (2) research on reasoning (considering the development of competence and the search for generality in reasoning skills); (3) research on instruction (examining research on teachers, curricula and curricular materials, and testing); (4) research on settings (discussing research on classroom settings, the political and social context of science and mathematics education, the home as a setting for education, and out-of-classroom settings); (5) research on new learning systems (discussing research on interactive computer software, research on microsystems, and research on developing a systems approach to improving mathematics and science education); and (6) a summary of a research agenda (considering separately, research on reasoning, instruction, settings, and new learning systems). A list of background papers is included in an appendix. The report neither describes nor endorses a program for educational reform. The intent is simply to suggest a strategy for research and development that would provide somewhat better answers to such practical questions of educational change as how to design and teach new courses to ensure student achievement and what makes an effective teacher or a good school. (JN)