The author of this article describes her early experiences in learning disabilities (LD) research beginning the day she arrived at Teachers College in the fall of 1971, having been recruited to join the Learning Disabilities Institute. After 30 years, she has now come back to doing what she once did--randomized trials of instructional programs, except now she is working on comprehension. Looking back on the changes to research methods in this field, the author concludes that special education has done a remarkable job of designing instruction and developing interventions. The combination of research and advocacy has been very effective in moving the field forward and will help to ensure that its progress continues in the future.