Government proposal may curtail access to data

Academe, Sep/Oct 2003

Researchers and education organizations are sounding the alarm over a U.S. Department of Education proposal to restructure the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), an extensive federal database system that disseminates reports, studies, transcripts of hearings, and other information about education. ERIC currently consists of sixteen separate information clearinghouses, each of which has a special focus and most of which are housed at colleges and universities. For example, information about community colleges is collected at the University of California, Los Angeles, while Indiana University houses the collection on reading and English instruction. The education department proposes to streamline the system by putting it under the control of a single contractor, setting limits on the kinds of material included, and eliminating some services.

Many researchers concede that the current system has redundancies and can be difficult to navigate electronically. But some worry that the proposed streamlining would involve elimination of valuable services, materials, and expertise. In addition to housing materials, clearinghouses provide services such as sending out information digests and assisting individuals with research.

Even more serious, say some critics, is the proposal to winnow down the list of materials that may be included. Some resources now available through ERIC are not accessible through other means, savs AAUP research director John Curtis. "Limiting the database's sources may have the unintended effect of curtailing access to information," he comments.

A number of education organizations, including the AAUP, responded to the education department's request for comments on its proposal. The department plans to have a new system in place by early 2004.