Welcome from the Director

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Institute of Education Sciences' 2006 Research Conference.

The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 established a new organization within the U.S. Department of Education, the Institute of Education Sciences. The Institute funds hundreds of research projects that aim to enhance academic achievement and gain fundamental understanding of learning and instruction, conducts large-scale evaluations of federal education programs, and reports a wide array of statistics on the condition of education.

After a necessary building period we are now beginning to see the fruits of our investments in research. The time is right to provide a forum for dialogue and exchange among the researchers we support through our first national research conference.

This event showcases the education research activities that are supported by the Institute. Here, you have an opportunity to meet and interact with fellow IES supported researchers, and to hear from prominent practitioners and policymakers. Building a community of education researchers committed to rigorous and relevant research has been at the core of the IES agenda. This conference recognizes and celebrates the emergence and productivity of that community.

Thank you for your work and your attendance. My colleagues and I at IES look forward to an exciting two days.

Grover J. (Russ) Whitehurst
Washington D.C., June 2006