The Development of Research as a Role in Laboratory Schools.

A 20-item questionnaire was mailed to 123 laboratory schools to investigate their involvement with educational research. The findings on the 57 schools that responded were organized into two categories: (1) background information on all respondents; and (2) information on research activities based on responses of the 39 schools identified as involved with the conduct of research. The schools served a range of students between nursery school and twelfth grade and had a mean enrollment of 329 students. Funding sources were colleges or universities, public schools, and tuition. Information on the schools' research activities was given in the areas of funding, researchers, types of projects, computer availability, research dissemination, and incentives. Other matters investigated included the option of parents to exclude their children from participating in research projects and the strength of research in the schools' operations. Conclusions drawn from the survey are that the number of laboratory schools is diminishing, the schools are seeking to expand their roles, and that research is becoming increasingly important. Incentives to conduct research included promotion, tenure, and continued employment. Obstacles to research activities were limited time and lack of money and research skills. The tabulated responses to the questionnaire are appended. (FG)