In September 2008, AERA (the American Educational Research Association) & NEAd (National Academy of Education) began a comprehensive project to assess the characteristics and quality of education research doctorate programs. With a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation, the study will assess approximately 900 programs at 120 colleges of education. Felice Levine, President of AERA, and Lorrie Shepard, President of NEAd, will head this study. In the attached video, Lorrie Shepard discusses the nature and importance of the project, the expected outcomes for the Ph.D. degree, and the expected outcomes for the field and future Ph.D.s. Additional information about the project can be found on the NSF website.