A project report describes a Tennessee State University planning project for an educational laboratory serving the Appalachian states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. A needs assessment and think tank session were conducted to identify educational problems, gather data on educational strengths/weaknesses in each state, generate ideas for educational improvement, explore research options of educators, suggest new programs/research topics, identify strategies for educational laboratory operations/services, and explore potential relationships with other Appalachian educational organizations. Regional problems were analyzed from state, regional, and national perspectives. Educational trends for the Appalachian region were discussed. Educational research, development, dissemination, assistance, and training capabilities of organizations in the region were assessed and their effectiveness evaluated. An organizational design for the regional educational laboratory was proposed. Capabilities of Tennessee State University to establish a laboratory were described, including staff, research/development activities, facilities, equipment, library resources, and satellite institutions. Strategies for governance, management, planning, and evaluation systems for the laboratory were presented. Extensive appendices list survey and think tank participants, related research projects of Tennessee State University and its satellites, and recurring educational problems identified in the think tank session. A bibliography with 169 references is included. (LFL)