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[Senate Report 113-275]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                       Calendar No. 600
113th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session                                                     113-275

======================================================================

 
          STRENGTHENING EDUCATION THROUGH RESEARCH ACT OF 2014

                                _______
                                

               November 17, 2014.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Harkin, from the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                   Pensions, submitted the following

                                 REPORT

                        [To accompany H.R.4366]

    The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, to 
which was referred the bill (H.R.4366) to strengthen the 
Federal education research system to make research and 
evaluations more timely and relevant to State and local needs 
in order to increase student achievement, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon 
with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, and recommends 
that the bill, as amended, do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
  I. Purpose and Summary..............................................1
 II. Background of Legislation........................................2
III. Legislative History and Committee Consideration..................2
 IV. Explanation of Legislation and Committee Views...................3
  V. Cost Estimate....................................................8
 VI. Application of Law to the Legislative Branch.....................8
VII. Regulatory Impact Statement......................................8
VIII.Section-by-Section Analysis......................................8

 IX. Changes in Existing Law.........................................15

                         I. Purpose and Summary

    The Senate concurs with the purpose as stated in H. Rept. 
113-424.

                     II. Background of Legislation

    In 2002, Congress enacted the Education Sciences Reform Act 
(ESRA) (Public Law 107-279), which also included the 
Educational Technical Assistance Act (ETAA) and the National 
Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act (NAEPAA), 
to improve Federal education research efforts, to strengthen 
the quality of technical assistance provided to States, and to 
carry out the National Assessment for Educational Progress 
(NAEP).
    ESRA authorizes the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) 
as a semi-independent research entity in the U.S. Department of 
Education (the ``Department''). IES contains four research 
centers, including the National Center for Education Research 
(NCER), the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 
the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional 
Assistance (NCEE), and the National Center for Special 
Education Research (NCSER). NCER conducts large scale research 
on education issues. NCES collects and publishes educational 
statistics. NCEE supports research efforts and activities and 
conducts large scale evaluations of Federal education programs. 
Finally, NCSER conducts research on issues related to students 
with disabilities.
    ETAA authorizes comprehensive centers within the Department 
to provide technical assistance to States and school districts 
related to implementation of Federal education laws and 
programs. ETAA also authorizes the Statewide Longitudinal Data 
Systems program to provide funding to States to improve their 
State education data systems, including appropriate privacy 
protections for student data within such systems.
    NAEPAA authorizes policies and funding for the 
implementation of the NAEP and the National Assessment 
Governing Board (NAGB).

          III. Legislative History and Committee Consideration

Committee Consideration
    On September 17, 2014, the committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions met in Executive Session to consider the 
Strengthening Education through Research Act of 2014 (SETRA). 
Senators Harkin and Alexander offered an amendment as a 
complete substitute, and it was agreed to unanimously by all 
members present.
    The Senate substitute to SETRA received support letters 
from the Knowledge Alliance; the Council of Chief State School 
Officers; Results for America; Alliance for Excellent 
Education; Education Northwest; Northwest Evaluation 
Association; SEDL; WestEd; Education Trust; the Data Quality 
Campaign; the Workforce Data Quality Campaign; the National 
Center for Learning Disabilities; Council for Exceptional 
Children; the Learning and Education Academic Research Network; 
Code.org; Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional 
Learning; Computing in the Core; the Higher Education 
Consortium for Special Education; RMC; CTAC; FHI360; SRI 
International; National Council of State Directors of Adult 
Education; Education Development Center; McREL; Measured 
Progress; and AdvanceED.

           IV. Explanation of Legislation and Committee Views

                                OVERVIEW

    The Strengthening Education through Research Act (SETRA) 
would amend and reauthorize the Education Sciences Reform Act 
of 2002 for fiscal years 2015 through 2020. This legislation 
makes a number of improvements to the IES, a semi-independent 
institute within the Department of Education (the 
``Department'') that conducts and oversees education research, 
the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems program, the NAEP and 
the NAGB. The legislation:

     Requires IES to identify research topics focused 
on ensuring that all students have the ability to obtain a 
high-quality education, improving access to and the quality of 
early childhood education, strengthening elementary and 
secondary schools, and increasing access to and completion of 
postsecondary education.
     Makes education research more relevant and useful 
at the State and local levels.
     Directs the Department's comprehensive centers, 
which provide technical assistance to States on Federal 
education laws and programs, to prioritize serving the needs of 
school districts and schools with higher numbers of low-income 
students and schools identified for improvement.
     Requires collaboration between the comprehensive 
centers and entities responsible for providing applied 
research, the regional educational laboratories, to States and 
school districts and clearly delineates the duties of each 
entity to ensure these efforts are streamlined, more aligned, 
and responsive to the needs of States and school districts.
     Allows States and school districts to access 
useful, relevant information more quickly to help raise student 
achievement levels in the classroom.
     Authorizes increases in the Federal investment in 
research and technical assistance in a fiscally responsible 
way, including providing a substantial increase in the 
authorization of funding for special education research.
     Improves accountability and protects the 
taxpayers' research investment by requiring regular evaluations 
of research and education programs by independent entities.
     Strengthens privacy provisions to ensure that 
personally identifiable information collected by IES is secure 
and protected.
     Designates IES as the primary evaluation arm of 
the Department to ensure an independent source conducts Federal 
education program evaluations.
     Strengthens NAEP, commonly called the Nation's 
Report card, which measures and reports student performance 
across the country, largely in reading and math, every two 
years.

      REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES AND COMPREHENSIVE CENTERS

    The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 
(hereinafter ``The committee'') agrees with the intent of 
H.R.4366 as passed by the House of Representatives to foster 
more collaboration between the regional educational 
laboratories (RELs) located in IES and the comprehensive 
centers located in the Office of Elementary and Secondary 
Education at the Department. The committee agrees with the 
House of Representatives language to clearly delineate and 
streamline the duties of each entity to ensure no overlap or 
duplication of activities. However, the committee struck the 
provisions in Section 206 of H.R.4366 related to the reforms of 
the regional advisory committees in order to meet the intent 
for more collaboration. The committee heard from community 
stakeholders that collaboration could be developed between the 
RELs and comprehensive centers without requiring them all to 
report to regional advisory committees. Therefore, the Senate 
substitute to H.R.4366 inserts provisions to require stronger 
collaboration between the RELs and comprehensive centers, 
including by requiring members of each entity's advisory boards 
to sit on the other entity's advisory boards. The bill also 
enables each REL and comprehensive center to have its own 
advisory board if they so choose, but ensures that information 
about the work of each entity is broadly shared with other 
entities.
    Additionally, the committee is concerned with the House of 
Representatives language that would cap the number of RELs and 
comprehensive centers authorized under law. Instead of capping 
the number of each entity, the committee agreed to authorize 10 
RELs and 17 comprehensive centers. This is a change (and 
overall reduction) from current law which authorizes 10 RELs 
and no less than 20 comprehensive centers. In addition, the 
reauthorization gives the IES Evaluation and Regional 
Assistance Commissioner (the Evaluation Commissioner) authority 
to fund a lower number of RELs, or reorganize them, in 
consultation with the REL advisory boards. The Evaluation 
Commissioner will be able to take such an action if he or she 
determines that an insufficient number of RELs are meeting the 
needs of their regions, an insufficient number are meeting 
their performance indicators, or an insufficient number of 
eligible applicants have the capacity to meet those indicators. 
The committee intends that the Evaluation Commissioner take 
this step only if the conditions set forth in the statute 
relating to reducing or reorganizing the RELs are met. The 
committee believes that the existing framework--a network of 10 
RELs serving 10 distinct regions--should not be disrupted 
unless there are persistent problems or a clear shortage of 
eligible applicants that have the ability to operate a REL 
effectively.
    Similarly, the reauthorization gives the Secretary of 
Education (Secretary) authority to fund a lower number of 
comprehensive centers beyond the overall reduction of the 
centers in the bill, or reorganize them, in consultation with 
the comprehensive center advisory boards. The Secretary will be 
able to take such an action only if he or she determines that 
an insufficient number of comprehensive centers are meeting the 
needs of their regions, an insufficient number are meeting 
their performance indicators, or an insufficient number of 
eligible applicants have the capacity to meet those indicators. 
The committee intends that the Secretary take this step only if 
the conditions set forth in the statute relating to reducing or 
reorganizing the centers are met. The committee believes that 
17 comprehensive centers should not be disrupted unless there 
are persistent problems or a clear shortage of eligible 
applicants that have the ability to operate a comprehensive 
center effectively.

  PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AT IES AND THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION 
                               STATISTICS

    The House Committee on Education and the Workforce noted 
that a goal of H.R.4366 is to ensure that the IES and the 
research centers within IES can maintain their independence 
from politics and bias. The committee shares this goal and 
agrees with provisions in H.R.4366 which designate IES as the 
primary entity responsible for conducting research on, and 
evaluations of, Federal education programs administered by the 
Department. This will help ensure objectivity and quality in 
evaluating the taxpayer investments in Federal programs.
    The committee also chose to preserve much of what the House 
had suggested in determining the appointment of the heads of 
the research centers, including language that would make the 
appointment of the Commissioner of the National Center for 
Education Statistics (NCES) a decision made by the IES Director 
rather than the President. This will help align the governance 
of NCES with all the other IES research centers to create a 
coherent governance structure at IES overall, as well as 
protect the NCES Commissioner position from political 
influence. It would also mirror the governance structure of two 
similar statistical agencies--the National Center for Health 
Statistics and the National Center for Science and Engineering 
Statistics--which do not have Presidentially appointed 
directors. However, given the vital role of the NCES and its 
historical importance within the Department as the main entity 
charged with gathering and producing education statistics, the 
committee feels that NCES should maintain a degree of autonomy 
different from that of the other research centers within IES. 
To that end, the committee changed a provision in H.R.4366 from 
requiring the IES Director's approval of the NCES 
Commissioner's plan for NCES activities to a provision that 
requires the NCES Commissioner to consult with the IES Director 
in the formulation of the plan. Rather than requiring the NCES 
Commissioner to have his or her Statistics Center plan approved 
by the IES Director, this change provides the NCES Commissioner 
with the needed flexibility and independence to marshal the 
resources and energies of the center in the direction and 
manner he or she sees fit.

             PRIORITIZING SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS

    The committee agrees with the provisions of H.R.4366, as 
passed by the House of Representatives, to make education 
research more timely and relevant to States and school 
districts. The research and technical assistance provided by 
entities funded under this Act is critical to ongoing education 
improvement efforts around the Nation. Given the historical 
role of the Federal Government in improving education programs 
for low-income students, the committee added a provision in 
section 203 to ensure that comprehensive center grantees 
prioritize and serve schools identified for improvement and 
schools and school districts with a high percentage or number 
of low-income students. This prioritization will help to ensure 
that the schools and school districts most in need of the 
technical assistance provided by comprehensive centers receive 
it.

          PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION

    American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian 
students face unique educational obstacles and often have lower 
high school graduation rates and other educational outcomes 
than their peers. The committee believes a concerted effort 
must be made to improve educational services for American 
Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students. As such, 
the committee inserted a provision in section 203 to enable the 
Secretary to make arrangements as necessary, within the 
requirements of the overall structure of the comprehensive 
centers, to ensure that the Bureau of Indian Education and 
States or school districts serving large numbers of American 
Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian students have access 
to the services of comprehensive centers.

               PROTECTING STUDENT AND INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY

    The committee agrees with provisions of H.R.4366, as passed 
by the House of Representatives, that protect individual 
student data and ensure that individually identifiable data 
should only be available to those that have a need to use the 
data. SETRA provides for extensive protection of individually 
identifiable information, consistent with current privacy laws, 
particularly with regard to data collections at NCES. The bill 
reauthorizes stringent penalties for any person who discloses 
or publishes data for other than statistical purposes or 
violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) 
and other relevant Federal privacy laws. H.R.4366 continues 
prohibitions around a national data base of individually 
identifiable information. It also aligns prohibition language 
with similar language in the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act, denying Federal officials the ability to mandate, direct, 
or control State and local curriculum, programs of instruction, 
specific academic achievement or content standards or 
assessments, or allocation of State or local resources. Last, 
the bill makes changes to cooperative education statistics 
partnerships established under the bill, which assist States in 
improving data quality standards by ensuring they are 
voluntary, and will continue to not collect any student data.

 CLARIFYING POLICIES RELATED TO THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL 
          PROGRESS AND THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT GOVERNING BOARD

    As one of its duties, NAGB is responsible for overseeing 
and setting policy for NAEP. NAEP has long been regarded as a 
trusted, non-biased source on how well the Nation's schools are 
educating students and raising performance levels. The 
committee agrees with provisions in H.R.4366 that make some 
small changes related to NAEP. The bill clarifies NAGB's role 
in selecting the subjects and setting the schedule for NAEP, in 
line with current law requirements, as well as providing input 
on annual budget requests for NAEP. The committee also agrees 
with provisions that clarify NAGB is responsible for the 
initial release of the NAEP reports, and NCES is responsible 
for the content of initial and subsequent NAEP reports to 
ensure such reports are valid and reliable. The committee 
intends the changes to the NAEP sections of H.R.4366 to align 
the legislation to match 25 years of practice, and provide 
accuracy and clarity around the roles of NCES and NAGB with 
regards to NAEP and NAEP reports.

                             NEW ADDITIONS

    The committee made several new additions to H.R.4366 to 
address areas of importance to the committee. For example, the 
committee included language making clear that IES peer 
reviewers of special education research must have an 
understanding of special education. Furthermore, the committee 
included a provision to ensure that research around early 
education focuses on improving access to early childhood 
education in addition to improving quality. The committee also 
added provisions to ensure Federal education research also 
focuses on adult education and literacy, where appropriate.
    The committee made additional changes to the National 
Center for Education Research (NCER) in addition to what was 
included in the House-passed legislation. First, the committee 
included language to allow for the Center to perform research 
on the acquisition of skills and competencies that will allow 
students to think critically, solve complex problems, and 
communicate effectively. This new authority was included in 
recognition of the importance of higher-order learning in the 
development of well-rounded students. Second, the committee 
made changes to allow the NCER Commissioner to disaggregate 
data based on other student characteristics as determined by 
the Commissioner in addition to the required categories of age, 
race, gender, disability, English learner status, and socio-
economic background. Evidence suggests that certain students 
may be at risk for disproportionate rates of discipline in 
school, and providing this authority to the Commissioner would 
allow him or her to disaggregate data further, as warranted by 
the evidence, so long as any reported information does not 
reveal individually identifiable information.

            MODERNIZING STATEWIDE LONGITUDINAL DATA SYSTEMS

    The committee concurs with the views expressed by the House 
Committee on Education and the Workforce in H. Rept.113-424 as 
it relates to modernizing the Statewide Longitudinal Data 
Systems program. The committee specifically notes that SETRA 
allows grantees to align statewide longitudinal data systems 
from early education through postsecondary education and the 
workforce, so long as such alignment is consistent with privacy 
protections within the bill. In promoting alignment between 
early learning and K-12 education through this program, the 
committee urges the Department to seek applications from States 
that work to connect early education data to K-12 systems from 
multiple sources, such as early education data held by State 
educational agencies and, where applicable, early education 
data as described in the Head Start Act, 42 U.S.C. 
9837b(1)(D)(i)(IV). In addition, the committee urges the 
Department to work closely with grantees to ensure the privacy 
of personally identifiable data included in these systems, 
including helping them meet the requirements of the FERPA and 
other relevant Federal privacy laws.

                            DENIAL AUTHORITY

    H.R.4366 includes a provision to ensure NCES is authorized 
to deny access to data if it believes the data is unnecessary 
for, or unrelated to, the proposed research design or intent, 
or if providing access to the information would introduce a 
risk of privacy violation. The committee added additional 
clarifying language to ensure that the denial authority granted 
to NCES only apply to non-public use data sets.

                            V. Cost Estimate

    Pending response from CBO.

            VI. Application of Law to the Legislative Branch

    Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104-1, the Congressional 
Accountability Act, requires a description of the application 
of this bill to the legislative branch. H.R.4366 reauthorizes 
the Education Sciences Reform Act and does not amend any act 
that applies to the legislative branch.

                    VII. Regulatory Impact Statement

    Pursuant to the Requirements of paragraph 11(b) of Rule 
XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee has 
determined that the bill will not have a significant regulatory 
impact.

                   VIII. Section-by-Section Analysis

Section 1--Short title
    States the short title of the bill as the Strengthening 
Education through Research Act.
Section 2--Table of contents
    Lists the Table of Contents of the bill.
Section 3--Nonduplication
    In collecting and reporting information under this Act, 
this section directs the Secretary to not duplicate other 
requirements and use information and data from existing 
Federal, State, and local sources, in order to reduce burden 
and cost to the Department of Education, States, and local 
educational agencies.

                   TITLE I--EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM

Section 101--References
    References the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002.
Section 102--Definitions
    Amends Section 102 (20 U.S.C. 9501) by making changes to 
the definitions of ``Bureau,'' ``dissemination,'' 
``scientifically based research standards,'' and 
``scientifically valid research.'' Removes the definition of 
``Historically Black College or University'' and adds 
definitions of ``minority-serving institution,'' ``principles 
of scientific research,'' ``school leader,'' and ``adult 
education and literacy activities.''

              Part A--The Institute of Education Sciences

Section 111--Establishment
    Amends Section 111 (20 U.S.C. 9511) to ensure the mission 
of IES includes providing leadership on the understanding of 
adult education, in addition to early childhood, K-12, and 
postsecondary education. This mission should also include 
dissemination and utilization activities consistent with 
section 114(j). Clarifies all IES activities are free from 
disability bias, among other things.
Section 112--Functions
    Amends Section 112 (20 U.S.C. 9512) to include evaluations 
of impact and implementation, make dissemination and 
utilization activities consistent with section 114(j), and 
specify dissemination of scientifically valid education 
evaluations.
Section 113--Delegation
    Amends Section 113 (20 U.S.C. 9513) to delete subsection 
(a)(1), allow the Director to accept requests from the 
Secretary at his or her discretion for other activities of IES, 
and require consultation with the Director regarding contract 
acquisition and performance management.
Section 114--Office of the Director
    Amends Section 114 (20 U.S.C. 9514) to grant an extension 
period of 1 year to the Director's term in the event of a 
failure to find a successor; allow for reappointment of the 
Director for an additional term; clarify the recommendations 
the National Board for Education Sciences (Board) may make to 
the President with respect to the appointment of a Director; 
and clarify the responsibilities of the Director in 
coordinating IES research activities with public and private 
entities. The section also ensures IES work is disseminated and 
utilized by the Department of Education's technical assistance 
providers and dissemination networks; centralizes the IES peer 
review process (including maintaining a peer review process 
wherein special education research is reviewed by those with an 
understanding of special education); and ensures the relevance, 
dissemination, and utilization of all IES research.
Section 115--Priorities
    Amends Section 115 (20 U.S.C. 9515) to clarify the 
priorities of IES and clarifies that the Director will propose 
priorities to the Board at least once every 6 years. The 
priorities will include ensuring all students have access to a 
high-quality education, clarifying a focus on closing the 
achievement gap between students with disabilities and students 
without disabilities. The priorities will also include 
improving the access to and quality of early childhood 
education, improving K-12 education, and improving access to, 
and opportunities for, and completion of, postsecondary 
education and adult education.
Section 116--National Board for Education Sciences
    Amends Section 116 (20 U.S.C. 9516) to clarify the Board's 
responsibilities in providing input on IES activities, 
improving coordination with public and private entities, 
conducting evaluations of IES and the research centers, and in 
ensuring relevance and dissemination of IES activities. 
Clarifies who may give advice regarding Board appointments; 
ensures two practitioners are on the Board; allows State 
leaders in adult education to be on the Board; clarifies term 
limitations of the Board and Executive Director; ensures 
independence of the Board; allows for flexibility in Board 
organization into smaller subcommittees; and requires the Board 
to make available every 5 years, with interim results available 
after 3 years, a report by an independent entity that assesses 
the effectiveness of IES.
Section 117--Commissioners of the National Education Centers
    Amends Section 117 (20 U.S.C. 9517) to clarify appointment 
of the Commissioners of all the research centers, stating the 
Statistics Center Commissioner is appointed by the Director.
Section 118--Transparency
    Amends Section 119 (20 U.S.C. 9519) to require transparent 
reporting of all IES awards over $100,000.
Section 120--Competitive awards
    Amends Section 120 (20 U.S.C. 9520) to make awarding 
competitive grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements 
consistent with Section 114(h).

             Part B--National Center for Education Research

Section 131--Establishment
    Amends Section 131(b) (20 U.S.C. 9531(b)) to advance the 
priorities described in section 115 and disseminate all 
research of the Research Center, consistent with section 
114(j).
Section 132--Duties
    Amends Section 133 (20 U.S.C. 9533) to clarify the duties 
of the Commissioner for Education Research.
Section 133--Standards for conduct and evaluation of research
    Amends Section 134 (20 U.S.C. 9534) to specify the use of 
scientifically valid research standards within the Research 
Center and to ensure dissemination and utilization activities 
are consistent with Section 114(j).

            Part C--National Center for Education Statistics

Section 151--Establishment
    Amends Section 151(b) (20 U.S.C. 9541(b)) to ensure privacy 
protection in all reports and that such reports are 
disseminated consistent with section 114(j).
Section 152--Duties
    Amends Section 153 (20 U.S.C. 9543) to ensure privacy 
protection across all Statistics Center work, amends the duties 
of the Statistics Commissioner, and updates the statistical 
data that the Statistics Center shall collect to include 
information on graduation rate, career and technical education, 
school climate, teaching and school leadership, and adult 
education, among other topics. Removes the House bill 
requirement that the NCES Commissioner submit his/her plan for 
the Statistics Center to the IES Director for approval. 
Instead, the NCES Commissioner has to consult with the IES 
Director when developing his/her plan for the agency, but does 
not need approval.
Section 153--Performance of duties
    Amends Section 154 (20 U.S.C. 9544) to require applications 
from entities that wish to receive a grant, or enter into a 
contract or cooperative agreement under this section.
Section 154--Reports
    Amends Section 155 (20 U.S.C. 9545) to ensure all reports 
are reviewed consistent with peer review requirements in 
Section 114(h).
Section 155--Dissemination
    Amends Section 156 (20 U.S.C. 9546) to ensure adherence to 
student privacy requirements in all joint statistical projects 
and clarify who may access data housed by the Statistics 
Center. Provides NCES with the ability to deny access to non-
public use data if the data requested would be unnecessary for, 
or unrelated to, the proposed research design or intent, or if 
request would introduce a risk of a privacy violation or misuse 
of data.
Section 156--Cooperative education statistics systems
    Amends Section 157 (20 U.S.C. 9547) to clarify cooperative 
education statistics partnerships allow for voluntary 
partnerships aimed at creating data quality standards and to 
ensure such partnerships do not collect data or create a 
national student data system.

     Part D--National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional 
                               Assistance

Section 171--Establishment
    Amends Section 171 (20 U.S.C. 9561) to allow for evaluation 
of implementation of Federal education programs and to make 
dissemination activities consistent with section 114(j).
Section 172--Commissioner for education evaluation and regional 
        assistance
    Amends Section 172 (20 U.S.C. 9562) to require wide 
dissemination of all Evaluation Center research and statistics 
consistent with Section 114(j), especially of those items that 
relate to the priorities listed in Section 115. Also requires 
applications from entities that wish to receive a grant, or 
enter into a contract or cooperative agreement under this 
section.
Section 173--Evaluations
    Amends Section 173 (20 U.S.C. 9563) to require high-quality 
evaluations, including impact evaluations, consistent with the 
Center's mission, list other evaluation activities that the 
Center may support, and require dissemination of each 
evaluation conducted by the Center.
Section 174--Regional educational laboratories for research, 
        development, dissemination, and technical assistance
    Amends Section 174 (20 U.S.C. 9564) to maintain the 
regional educational laboratories program at 10 awards (subject 
to reduction if the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
Commissioner, in consultation with the regional education 
laboratory advisory boards, determines that a fewer number of 
awards, or a new structure of awards, is more appropriate); 
change the list of entities with whom the Evaluation and 
Regional Assistance Commissioner may enter into grants, 
contracts, or cooperative agreements; maintain the allowance of 
regional educational laboratory advisory boards, but makes them 
optional; specify the requirements all eligible applicants must 
adhere to; stipulate the activities of each regional 
educational laboratory; dictate how new awards must be made; 
amend the annual report each awardee must submit; and require 
an appropriation reservation for the regional educational 
laboratory program. Also requires interim and summative 
evaluations of each regional educational laboratory.

         Part E--National Center for Special Education Research

Section 175--Establishment
    Amends Section 175(b) (20 U.S.C. 9567(b)) to update the 
mission of the National Center for Special Education Research 
to promote quality and integrity with respect to special 
education research and scientifically valid research findings 
in special education.
Section 176--Commissioner for Special Education Research
    Amends Section 176 (20 U.S.C. 9567a) to include youth with 
disabilities in the list of the Special Education Research 
Commissioner's required subjects of expertise.
Section 177--Duties
    Amends Section 177 (20 U.S.C. 9567b) to expand the duties 
of the Special Education Research Commissioner.

                       Part F--General Provisions

Section 182--Prohibitions
    Updates Section 182 (20 U.S.C. 9572) to align current law 
prohibitions with Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
prohibitions prohibiting the Federal Government from mandating, 
directing, or controlling specific academic achievement and 
content standards or assessments within a State, local 
educational agency, or school, or from using funds to endorse, 
approve, or sanction any curriculum to be used in early 
education, K-12 schools, or an institution of higher education.
Section 183--Confidentiality
    Amends Section 183 (20 U.S.C. 9573) to allow for 
identification of specific schools in IES publications so long 
as no individually identifiable information is disclosed. Also 
clarifies volunteers at IES or those who provide uncompensated 
services are subject to punishment for privacy violations.
Section 184--Availability of data
    Amends Section 184 (20 U.S.C. 9574) to broaden the 
dissemination of IES data through electronic means.
Section 185--Performance management
    Amends Section 185 (20 U.S.C. 9575) to require the Director 
to improve the performance management system governing all IES 
activities, to include developing measurable performance 
indicators to evaluate and improve activities, and to establish 
formal feedback mechanisms to meet stakeholder needs.
Section 186--Authority to publish
    Amends Section 186(b) (20 U.S.C. 9576(b)) to clarify the 
Director must provide the Secretary and other relevant offices 
with an advance copy of publications under this section before 
their public release.
Section 187--Repeals
    Repeals Sections 187 (20 U.S.C. 9577) and 193 (20 U.S.C. 
9583).
Section 188--Fellowships
    Amends Section 189 (20 U.S.C. 9579) to specify fellowships 
established under this section within institutions of higher 
education, including minority-serving institutions, must relate 
to education and the mission of each national education center.
Section 189--Authorization of appropriations
    Amends Section 194 (20 U.S.C. 9584) regarding the 
authorization of appropriations for this title.

               TITLE II--EDUCATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Section 201--References
    References the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 
2002.
Section 202--Definitions
    Amends Section 202 (20 U.S.C. 9601) to define ``school 
leader.''
Section 203--Comprehensive Centers
    Amends Section 203 (20 U.S.C. 9602) to reduce the current 
number of comprehensive centers to 17 (subject to further 
reduction if the Secretary of Education, in consultation with 
the comprehensive center advisory boards, determines that a 
fewer number of centers, or new structure of centers, is more 
appropriate); maintain the allowance of comprehensive center 
advisory boards, but makes them optional; clarify the regions 
each center shall serve; change the list of entities with whom 
the Secretary may enter into grants, contracts, or cooperative 
agreements; authorize the Secretary to make necessary 
arrangements to ensure the Bureau of Indian Education and 
States and school districts serving high numbers or percentages 
of American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian students 
have access to services, subject to the overall requirements of 
the comprehensive centers; specify the requirements all 
eligible applicants must adhere to, including the 
responsiveness to regional needs of each center and how the 
applicant will prioritize and serve schools and school 
districts with a high percentage or number of low-income 
students; stipulate the activities of each comprehensive 
center; dictate how new awards must be made; and amend the 
annual report each award must submit.
Section 204--Evaluations
    Amends Section 204 (20 U.S.C. 9603) to require interim and 
summative evaluations of each comprehensive center.
Section 205--Existing technical assistance providers
    Repeals Section 205 (20 U.S.C. 9604).
Section 206--Regional Advisory Committees
    Repeals Section 206 (20 U.S.C. 9605).
Section 207--Priorities
    Amends Section 207 (20 U.S.C. 9606) to require the 
Secretary and Director to establish priorities for regional 
educational laboratories and comprehensive centers using the 
relevant results of national and regional surveys of 
educational needs.
Section 208--Grant program for statewide longitudinal data systems
    Amends Section 208 (20 U.S.C. 9607) to require data systems 
to be consistent with requirements of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act, Higher Education Act, and the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; allow for 
subgranting of funds to local educational agencies; add a 
performance management system for data systems; require systems 
align early education through postsecondary education and the 
workforce data, consistent with privacy protections; prioritize 
applications that demonstrate capacity to share teacher and 
school leader data with local educational agencies and teacher 
and school leader preparation programs; and require reports on 
the implementation and effectiveness of the activities carried 
out under the grants in this section.
Section 209--Authorization of appropriations
    Amends Section 209 (20 U.S.C. 9608) regarding the 
authorization of appropriations for this title.

         TITLE III--NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

Section 301--References
    References the National Assessment of Educational Progress 
Authorization Act.
Section 302--National Assessment Governing Board
    Amends Section 302 (20 U.S.C. 9621) to clarify that the 
National Assessment Governing Board oversees and sets policies 
for the National Assessment of Educational Progress in line 
with its duties; specify school leaders as members of the 
Assessment Board; clarify how vacancies on the Assessment Board 
are filled; and expand and clarify the duties of the Assessment 
Board.
Section 303--National Assessment of Educational Progress
    Amends Section 303 (20 U.S.C. 9622) to clarify the role of 
the Commissioner for Education Statistics with regard to the 
National Assessment of Educational Progress and dictate the 
Commissioner is responsible for the content of initial and 
subsequent National Assessment of Educational Progress reports 
to ensure validity and reliability. Requires schools to 
participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress 
as required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and 
clarifies the national consensus approach in setting 
achievement levels for the test.
Section 304--Definitions
    Amends Section 304 (20 U.S.C. 9623) to define ``elementary 
school,'' ``secondary school,'' and ``school leader.''
Section 305--Authorization of appropriations
    Amends Section 305(a) (20 U.S.C. 9624(a)) regarding the 
authorization of appropriations for this title.

                       TITLE IV--EVALUATION PLAN

Section 401--Research and evaluation
    States the IES shall be the primary entity for conducting 
research on, and evaluations of, Federal education programs 
within the Department of Education to ensure the rigor and 
independence of such research and evaluation. Details authority 
for reservation and consolidation of funds to carry out high-
quality evaluations of programs authorized under the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act. Specifies requirements related to 
the development of a biennial evaluation plan, including how 
all programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
will be regularly evaluated, and requires the dissemination of 
evaluation findings.

                      IX. Changes in Existing Law

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by 
the bill as reported are shown as follows: Existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in [black brackets], new 
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman:

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                           Public Law 107-279

                        Act of November 5, 2002

          * * * * * * *

SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Table of contents.
Sec. 2. Nonduplication.

                   TITLE I--EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM

Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Definitions.

               Part A--The Institute of Education Sciences

Sec. 111. Establishment.
Sec. 112. Functions.
Sec. 113. Delegation.
Sec. 114. Office of the Director.
Sec. 115. Priorities.
Sec. 116. National Board for Education Sciences.
Sec. 117. Commissioners of the National Education Centers.
Sec. 118. Agreements.
[Sec. 119. Biennial report.]
Sec. 119. Transparency.
Sec. 120. Competitive awards.

             Part B--National Center for Education Research

Sec. 131. Establishment.
Sec. 132. Commissioner for Education Research.
Sec. 133. Duties.
Sec. 134. Standards for conduct and evaluation of research.

            Part C--National Center for Education Statistics

Sec. 151. Establishment.
Sec. 152. Commissioner for Education Statistics.
Sec. 153. Duties.
Sec. 154. Performance of duties.
Sec. 155. Reports.
Sec. 156. Dissemination.
[Sec. 157. Cooperative education statistics systems.]
Sec. 157. Cooperative education statistics partnerships.
Sec. 158. State defined.

Part D--National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance

Sec. 171. Establishment.
Sec. 172. Commissioner for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance.
Sec. 173. Evaluations.
[Sec. 174. Regional educational laboratories for research, development, 
          dissemination, and technical assistance.]
Sec. 174. Regional educational laboratories for research, development, 
          dissemination, and evaluation.

                       Part E--General Provisions

Sec. 181. Interagency data sources and formats.
Sec. 182. Prohibitions.
Sec. 183. Confidentiality.
Sec. 184. Availability of data.
Sec. 185. Performance management.
Sec. 186. Authority to publish.
[Sec. 187. Vacancies.]
Sec. 188. Scientific or technical employees.
Sec. 189. Fellowships.
Sec. 190. Voluntary service.
Sec. 191. Rulemaking.
Sec. 192. Copyright.
[Sec. 193. Removal.]
Sec. 194. Authorization of appropriations.

               TITLE II--EDUCATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Sec. 203. Comprehensive centers.
Sec. 204. Evaluations.
[Sec. 205. Existing technical assistance providers.]
[Sec. 206. Regional advisory committees.]
Sec. 207. Priorities.
Sec. 208. Grant program for statewide, longitudinal data systems.
Sec. 209. Authorization of appropriations.

         TITLE III--NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Definitions.
Sec. 303. Authorization of appropriations.

                     TITLE IV--AMENDATORY PROVISIONS

Sec. 401. Redesignations.
Sec. 402. Amendments to Department of Education Organization Act.
Sec. 403. Repeals.
Sec. 404. Conforming and technical amendments.
Sec. 405. Orderly transition.
Sec. 406. Impact aid.
     * * * * * * *

SEC. 2. NONDUPLICATION.

    In collecting information and data under this Act, 
including requiring the reporting of information and data, the 
Secretary of Education shall, to the extent appropriate, not 
duplicate other requirements and shall use information and data 
that are available from existing Federal, State, and local 
sources, in order to reduce burden and cost to the Department 
of Education, States, local educational agencies (as defined in 
section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), and other entities.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) In general.--* * *
            (2) Adult education; adult education and literacy 
        activities.--The terms ``adult education'' and ``adult 
        education and literacy activities'' have the meanings 
        given the terms in section 203 of the Adult Education 
        and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9202).
            (2)(3) Applied research.--* * *
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (3)(4) Basic research.--The term ``basic research'' 
        means research.--
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (4)(5) * * *
            (5)(6) Bureau.--The term ``Bureau'' means the 
        Bureau of Indian [Affairs]Education.
            (6)(7) * * *
            (7)(8) * * *
            (8)(9) * * *
            (9)(10) * * *
            (10)(11) Dissemination.--The term ``dissemination'' 
        means the communication and transfer of the results of 
        scientifically valid research, statistics, and 
        evaluations, or other information, in a timely manner 
        and in forms that are understandable, easily 
        accessible, and usable, or adaptable for use in, the 
        improvement of educational practice by teachers, school 
        leaders, administrators, librarians, other 
        practitioners, researchers, parents, policymakers, and 
        the public, through technical assistance, publications, 
        electronic transfer, and other means.
            (11)(12) Early childhood educator.--* * *
            [(13) Historically black college or university.--
        The term ``historically Black college or university'' 
        means a part B institution as defined in section 322 of 
        the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).]
            (13) English learner.--The term ``English learner'' 
        means an individual who is limited English proficient, 
        as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) or 
        section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832).
            (12)(14) Field-initiated research.--The term 
        ``field-initiated research'' means basic research or 
        applied research in which specific questions and 
        methods of study are generated by investigators 
        (including teachers, school leaders, and other 
        practitioners) and that conforms to standards of 
        scientifically valid research.
            (14)(15) * * *
            (15)(16) * * *
            (17) Minority-serving institution.--The term 
        ``minority-serving institution'' means an institution 
        of higher education described in section 371(a) of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
            (16)(18) National research and development 
        center.--The term ``national research and development 
        center'' means a research and development center 
        supported under [section 133(c)]section 133(d).
            (19) Principles of scientific research.--The term 
        ``principles of scientific research'' means principles 
        of research that--
                    (A) apply rigorous, systematic, and 
                objective methodology to obtain reliable and 
                valid knowledge relevant to education 
                activities and programs;
                    (B) present findings and make claims that 
                are appropriate to, and supported by, the 
                methods that have been employed; and
                    (C) include, appropriate to the research 
                being conducted--
                            (i) use of systematic, empirical 
                        methods that draw on observation or 
                        experiment;
                            (ii) use of data analyses that are 
                        adequate to support the general 
                        findings;
                            (iii) reliance on measurements or 
                        observational methods that provide 
                        reliable and generalizable findings;
                            (iv) strong claims of causal 
                        relationships, only with research 
                        designs that eliminate plausible 
                        competing explanations for observed 
                        results, such as, but not limited to, 
                        random-assignment experiments;
                            (v) presentation of studies and 
                        methods in sufficient detail and 
                        clarity to allow for replication or, at 
                        a minimum, to offer the opportunity to 
                        build systematically on the findings of 
                        the research;
                            (vi) acceptance by a peer-reviewed 
                        journal or critique by a panel of 
                        independent experts through a 
                        comparably rigorous, objective, and 
                        scientific review; and
                            (vii) consistency of findings 
                        across multiple studies or sites to 
                        support the generality of results and 
                        conclusions.
            (17)(20) Provider of early childhood services.--* * 
        *
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (21) School leader.--The term ``school leader'' 
        means a principal, assistant principal, or other 
        individual who is--
                    (A) an employee or officer of--
                            (i) an elementary school or 
                        secondary school;
                            (ii) a local educational agency 
                        serving an elementary school or 
                        secondary school; or
                            (iii) another entity operating the 
                        elementary school or secondary school; 
                        and
                    (B) responsible for the daily instructional 
                leadership and managerial operations of the 
                elementary school or secondary school.
            [(18) Scientifically based research standards.--(A) 
        The term ``scientifically based research standards'' 
        means research standards that--
                            [(i) apply rigorous, systematic, 
                        and objective methodology to obtain 
                        reliable and valid knowledge relevant 
                        to education activities and programs; 
                        and
                            [(ii) present findings and make 
                        claims that are appropriate to and 
                        supported by the methods that have been 
                        employed.
                    [(B) The term includes, appropriate to the 
                research being conducted--
                            [(i) employing systematic, 
                        empirical methods that draw on 
                        observation or experiment;
                            [(ii) involving data analyses that 
                        are adequate to support the general 
                        findings;
                            [(iii) relying on measurements or 
                        observational methods that provide 
                        reliable data;
                            [(iv) making claims of causal 
                        relationships only in random assignment 
                        experiments or other designs (to the 
                        extent such designs substantially 
                        eliminate plausible competing 
                        explanations for the obtained results);
                            [(v) ensuring that studies and 
                        methods are presented in sufficient 
                        detail and clarity to allow for 
                        replication or, at a minimum, to offer 
                        the opportunity to build systematically 
                        on the findings of the research;
                            [(vi) obtaining acceptance by a 
                        peer-reviewed journal or approval by a 
                        panel of independent experts through a 
                        comparably rigorous, objective, and 
                        scientific review; and
                            [(vii) using research designs and 
                        methods appropriate to the research 
                        question posed.]
            (19)(22) Scientifically valid education 
        evaluation.--* * *
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (20)(23) Scientifically valid research.--The term 
        ``scientifically valid research'' includes applied 
        research, basic research, and field-initiated research 
        in which the rationale, design, and interpretation are 
        soundly developed in accordance with [scientifically 
        based research standards]the principles of scientific 
        research.
            (21)(24) * * *
            (22)(25) * * *
            (23)(26) * * *
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

              PART A--THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

SEC. 111. ESTABLISHMENT.

    (a) Establishment.--* * *
    (b) Mission.--
            (1) In general.--The mission of the Institute is to 
        provide national leadership in expanding fundamental 
        knowledge and understanding of education from early 
        childhood through postsecondary study, including adult 
        education, in order to provide parents, educators, 
        students, researchers, policymakers, and the general 
        public with reliable information about--
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (2) Carrying out mission.--In carrying out the 
        mission described in paragraph (1), the Institute shall 
        compile statistics, develop products, and conduct 
        research, evaluations, [and wide dissemination 
        activities]and, consistent with section 114(j), wide 
        dissemination and utilization activities in areas of 
        demonstrated national need [(including in technology 
        areas)] that are supported by Federal funds 
        appropriated to the Institute and ensure that such 
        activities--
                    (A) * * *
                    (B) are objective, secular, neutral, and 
                nonideological and are free of partisan 
                political influence and racial, cultural, 
                gender, disability, or regional bias.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Organization.--* * *
            (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 112. FUNCTIONS.

    From funds appropriated under section 194, the Institute, 
directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative 
agreements, shall--
            (1) conduct and support scientifically valid 
        research activities, including basic research and 
        applied research, statistics activities, scientifically 
        valid education evaluation (including evaluations of 
        impact and implementation), development, and wide 
        dissemination and utilization;
            (2) widely disseminate, consistent with section 
        114(j), the findings and results of scientifically 
        valid research in education and scientifically valid 
        education evaluations carried out under this title;
            (3) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 113. DELEGATION.

    (a) Delegation of Authority.-- * * *
            [(1) nothing in this title or in the National 
        Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act 
        (except section 302(e)(1)(J) of such Act) shall be 
        construed to alter or diminish the role, 
        responsibilities, or authority of the National 
        Assessment Governing Board with respect to the National 
        Assessment of Educational Progress (including with 
        respect to the methodologies of the National Assessment 
        of Educational Progress described in section 
        302(e)(1)(E)) from those authorized by the National 
        Education Statistics Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 9001 et 
        seq.) on the day before the date of enactment of this 
        Act;]
            [(2)](1) * * *
            [(3)](2) * * *
            [(4)](3) * * *
            [(5)](4) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (b) Other Activities.--The [Secretary may assign the 
Institute responsibility for administering]Director may accept 
requests from the Secretary for the Institute to administer 
other activities, if those activities are consistent with--
            (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Contract Acquisition.--With respect to any contract 
entered into under this title, the Director shall be 
consulted--
            (1) during the procurement process; and
            (2) in the management of such contract's 
        performance, which shall be consistent with the 
        requirements of the performance management system 
        described in section 185.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 114. OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR.

    (a) Appointment.--[Except as provided in subsection (b)(2), 
the]The President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate, shall appoint the Director of the Institute.
    (b) Term.--
            (1) In general.--The Director shall serve for a 
        term of 6 years, beginning on the date of appointment 
        of the Director, except that if a successor to the 
        Director has not been appointed as of the date of 
        expiration of the Director's term, the Director may 
        serve for an additional 1-year period, beginning on the 
        day after the date of expiration of the Director's 
        term, or until a successor has been appointed under 
        subsection (a), whichever occurs first.
            [(2) First director.--The President, without the 
        advice and consent of the Senate, may appoint the 
        Assistant Secretary for the Office of Educational 
        Research and Improvement (as such office existed on the 
        day before the date of enactment of this Act) to serve 
        as the first Director of the Institute.]
            (2) Reappointment.--A Director may be reappointed 
        under subsection (a) for one additional term.
            (3) [Subsequent directors]Recommendations.--The 
        Board may make recommendations to the President with 
        respect to the appointment of a Director under 
        subsection (a)[, other than a Director appointed under 
        paragraph (2)].

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (f) Duties.--* * *
            (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (3) To coordinate education research and related 
        activities carried out by the Institute with such 
        research and activities carried out by other agencies 
        within the Department and the Federal Government, and, 
        as appropriate, with such research and activities 
        carried out by public and private entities, to avoid 
        duplicative or overlapping efforts.
            (4) To advise the Secretary on research, 
        evaluation, and statistics activities, and the use of 
        evidence relevant to the activities of the Department.
            (5) To establish and maintain necessary procedures 
        for technical and scientific peer review of the 
        activities of the Institute, consistent with section 
        116(b)(3) and subsection (h).
            (6) * * *
            (7) To ensure that activities conducted or 
        supported by the Institute are objective, secular, 
        neutral, and nonideological and are free of partisan 
        political influence and racial, cultural, gender, 
        disability or regional bias.
            (8) To undertake initiatives and programs to 
        increase the participation of researchers and 
        institutions that have been historically underutilized 
        in Federal education research activities of the 
        Institute, including [historically Black colleges or 
        universities]minority-serving institutions or other 
        institutions of higher education with large numbers of 
        minority students.
            [(9) To coordinate with the Secretary to promote 
        and provide for the coordination of research and 
        development activities and technical assistance 
        activities between the Institute and comprehensive 
        centers.]
            (9) To coordinate with the Secretary to ensure that 
        the results of the Institute's work are coordinated 
        with, and utilized by, the Department's technical 
        assistance providers and dissemination networks.
            [(10) To solicit and consider the recommendations 
        of education stakeholders, in order to ensure that 
        there is broad and regular public and professional 
        input from the educational field in the planning and 
        carrying out of the Institute's activities.]
            [(11) To coordinate the wide dissemination of 
        information on scientifically valid research.]
            [(12)](10) * * *
    (g) Expert Guidance and Assistance.--* * *
    (h) Peer-review System.--The Director shall establish and 
maintain a peer-review system involving highly qualified 
individuals, including practitioners, as appropriate, with an 
in-depth knowledge of the subject to be investigated, 
including, in the case of special education research, an 
understanding of special education, for--
            (1) reviewing and evaluating each application for a 
        grant or cooperative agreement under this title that 
        exceeds $100,000; and
            (2) evaluating and assessing all reports and other 
        products that exceed $100,000 to be published and 
        publicly released by the Institute.
    [(h)](i) Review.--The Director may, when requested by other 
officers of the Department, and shall, when directed by the 
Secretary, review [the products and] publications of other 
offices of the Department to [certify that evidence-based 
claims about those products and]determine whether evidence-
based claims in those publications are scientifically valid.
    (j) Relevance, Dissemination, and Utilization.--To ensure 
all activities authorized under this title are rigorous, 
relevant, and useful for researchers, policymakers, 
practitioners, and the public, the Director shall--
            (1) ensure such activities address significant 
        challenges faced by practitioners, and increase 
        knowledge in the field of education;
            (2) ensure that the information, products, and 
        publications of the Institute are--
                    (A) prepared and widely disseminated--
                            (i) in a timely fashion; and
                            (ii) in forms that are 
                        understandable, easily accessible, and 
                        usable, or adaptable for use in, the 
                        improvement of educational practice; 
                        and
                    (B) widely disseminated through electronic 
                transfer, and other means, such as posting to 
                the Institute's website or other relevant 
                place;
            (3) promote the utilization of the information, 
        products, and publications of the Institute, including 
        through the use of dissemination networks and technical 
        assistance providers, within the Institute and the 
        Department; and
            (4) monitor and manage the performance of all 
        activities authorized under this title in accordance 
        with section 185.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 115. PRIORITIES.

    (a) Proposal.--The Director shall propose to the Board 
priorities for the Institute [(taking into consideration long-
term research and development on core issues conducted through 
the national research and development centers)]at least once 
every 6 years. The Director shall identify topics that may 
require long-term research and topics that are focused on 
understanding and solving particular education problems and 
issues, including those associated with the goals and 
requirements established in the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) and the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), [such 
as]including--
            (1) ensuring that all students have the ability to 
        obtain a high-quality education, particularly closing 
        the achievement gap between high-performing and [low-
        performing children]low-performing students, 
        [especially achievement gaps between] minority and 
        [nonminority children]nonminority students, students 
        with disabilities and students without disabilities, 
        [and between disadvantaged children and such 
        children's]and disadvantaged students and such 
        students' more advantaged peers; [and]
            [(2) ensuring--
                    [(A) that all children have the ability to 
                obtain a high-quality education (from early 
                childhood through postsecondary education) and 
                reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging 
                State academic achievement standards and State 
                academic assessments, particularly in 
                mathematics, science, and reading or language 
                arts;
                    [(B) access to, and opportunities for, 
                postsecondary education; and
                    [(C) the efficacy, impact on academic 
                achievement, and cost-effectiveness of 
                technology use within the Nation's schools.]
            (2) improving access to and the quality of early 
        childhood education;
            (3) improving education in elementary schools and 
        secondary schools, particularly among low-performing 
        students and schools; and
            (4) improving access to, opportunities for, and 
        completion of postsecondary education and adult 
        education.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (d) Public Availability and Comment.--
            (1) Priorities.--Before submitting to the Board 
        proposed priorities for the Institute, the Director 
        shall make such priorities available to the public for 
        comment for not less than 60 days (including [by means 
        of the Internet]by electronic means such as posting in 
        an easily accessible manner on the Institute's website 
        and through publishing such priorities in the Federal 
        Register). The Director shall provide to the Board a 
        copy of each such comment submitted.
            (2) Plan.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 116. NATIONAL BOARD FOR EDUCATION SCIENCES.

(a) Establishment.--* * *
    (b) Duties.--* * *
            (1) * * *
            (2) To consider and approve priorities proposed by 
        the Director under section 115 [to guide the work of 
        the Institute], and to advise, and provide input to, 
        the Director on the activities of the Institute on an 
        ongoing basis.
            (3) To review and approve procedures under section 
        114(h) for technical and scientific peer review of the 
        activities of the Institute.
            (4) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (8) To advise the Director on ensuring that 
        activities conducted or supported by the Institute are 
        objective, secular, neutral, and nonideological and are 
        free of partisan political influence and racial, 
        cultural, gender, disability, or regional bias.
            (9) [To solicit]To ensure all activities of the 
        Institute are relevant to education policy and practice 
        by soliciting, on an ongoing basis, advice and 
        information from those in the educational field, 
        particularly practitioners and researchers, to 
        recommend to the Director topics that require long-
        term, sustained, systematic, programmatic, and 
        integrated research efforts, including knowledge 
        utilization and wide dissemination of research, 
        [consistent with]consistent with section 114(j) and the 
        priorities and mission of the Institute.
            (10) * * *
            (11) To recommend to the Director ways to enhance 
        the Institute's strategic partnerships and 
        collaborative efforts [among other Federal and State 
        research agencies]with public and private entities to 
        improve the work of the Institute.
            (12) * * *
            (13) To conduct the evaluations required under 
        subsection (d).
    (c) Composition.--
            (1) Voting members.--* * *
            (2) Advice.--The President shall solicit advice 
        regarding individuals to serve on the Board from the 
        Board, National Academy of Sciences, the National 
        Science Board, [and the National Science Advisor]the 
        National Science Advisor, and other entities and 
        organizations that have knowledge of individuals who 
        are highly qualified to appraise education research, 
        statistics, evaluations, or development.
            (3) Nonvoting ex officio members.--* * *
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (4) Appointed membership.--
                    (A) Qualifications.--* * *
                            (i) Not fewer than 8 researchers in 
                        the field of statistics, evaluation, 
                        social sciences, or physical and 
                        biological sciences[, which may include 
                        those researchers recommended by the 
                        National Academy of Sciences].
                            (ii) Not fewer than 2 practitioners 
                        who are knowledgeable about the 
                        education needs of the United States, 
                        who may include school-based 
                        professional educators, teachers, 
                        school leaders, local educational 
                        agency superintendents, and members of 
                        local boards of education or Bureau-
                        funded school boards.
                            [(ii)](iii) Individuals who are 
                        knowledgeable about the educational 
                        needs of the United States, who may 
                        include [school-based professional 
                        educators,] parents (including parents 
                        with experience in promoting parental 
                        involvement in education), Chief State 
                        School Officers, State postsecondary 
                        education executives, State leaders in 
                        adult education, presidents of 
                        institutions of higher education, 
                        [local educational agency 
                        superintendents,] early childhood 
                        experts, [principals,] members of State 
                        [or local] boards of education [or 
                        Bureau-funded school boards], and 
                        individuals from business and industry 
                        with experience in promoting private 
                        sector involvement in education.
                    (B) Terms.--Each member appointed under 
                paragraph (1) shall serve for a term of 4 
                years, beginning on the date of appointment of 
                the member, except that--
                            [(i) the terms of the initial 
                        members appointed under such paragraph 
                        shall (as determined by a random 
                        selection process at the time of 
                        appointment) be for staggered terms 
                        of--
                                    [(I) 4 years for each of 5 
                                members;
                                    [(II) 3 years for each of 5 
                                members; and
                                    [(III) 2 years for each of 
                                5 members; and]
                            [(ii)](i) no member appointed under 
                        such paragraph shall serve for more 
                        than 2 consecutive terms[.]; and
                            (ii) in a case in which a successor 
                        to a member has not been appointed as 
                        of the date of expiration of the 
                        member's term, the member may serve for 
                        an additional 1-year period, beginning 
                        on the day after the date of expiration 
                        of the member's term, or until a 
                        successor has been appointed under 
                        paragraph (1), whichever occurs first.
                    [(C) Unexpired terms.--Any member appointed 
                to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
                expiration of the term for which the member's 
                predecessor was appointed shall be appointed 
                only for the remainder of that term.]
                    [(D)](C) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (8) Powers of the board.--
                    (A) In general.--In the exercise of its 
                duties under subsection (b) and in accordance 
                with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
                U.S.C. App.), the Board shall be independent of 
                the Director and the other offices and officers 
                of the Institute.
                    [(A)](B) Executive director.--The Board 
                shall have an Executive Director who shall be 
                appointed by the Board for a term of not more 
                than 6 years, and who may be reappointed by the 
                Board for 1 additional term of not more than 6 
                years.
                    [(B)](C) * * *
                    [(C)](D) * * *
                    [(D)](E) * * *
                    [(E)](F) * * *
                    (G) Subcommittees.--The Board may establish 
                standing or temporary subcommittees to make 
                recommendations to the Board for carrying out 
                activities authorized under this title.
            (9) Meetings.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    [(d) Standing Committees.--
            [(1) Establishment.--The Board may establish 
        standing committees--
                    [(A) that will each serve 1 of the National 
                Education Centers; and
                    [(B) to advise, consult with, and make 
                recommendations to the Director and the 
                Commissioner of the appropriate National 
                Education Center.
            [(2) Membership.--A majority of the members of each 
        standing committee shall be voting members of the Board 
        whose expertise is needed for the functioning of the 
        committee. In addition, the membership of each standing 
        committee may include, as appropriate--
                    [(A) experts and scientists in research, 
                statistics, evaluation, or development who are 
                recognized in their discipline as highly 
                qualified to represent such discipline and who 
                are not members of the Board, but who may have 
                been recommended by the Commissioner of the 
                appropriate National Education Center and 
                approved by the Board;
                    [(B) ex officio members of the Board; and
                    [(C) policymakers and expert practitioners 
                with knowledge of, and experience using, the 
                results of research, evaluation, and statistics 
                who are not members of the Board, but who may 
                have been recommended by the Commissioner of 
                the appropriate National Education Center and 
                approved by the Board.
            [(3) Duties.--Each standing committee shall--
                    [(A) review and comment, at the discretion 
                of the Board or the standing committee, on any 
                grant, contract, or cooperative agreement 
                entered into (or proposed to be entered into) 
                by the applicable National Education Center;
                    [(B) prepare for, and submit to, the Board 
                an annual evaluation of the operations of the 
                applicable National Education Center;
                    [(C) review and comment on the relevant 
                plan for activities to be undertaken by the 
                applicable National Education Center for each 
                fiscal year; and
                    [(D) report periodically to the Board 
                regarding the activities of the committee and 
                the applicable National Education Center.]
    [(e)](d) [Annual]Evaluation Report.--[The Board]
            (1) In general.--The Board shall submit to the 
        Director, the Secretary, and the appropriate 
        congressional committees, [not later than July 1 of 
        each year, a report]and make widely available to the 
        public (including by electronic means such as posting 
        in an easily accessible manner on the Institute's 
        website), a report once every 5 years that assesses the 
        effectiveness of the Institute in carrying out its 
        priorities and mission, especially as such priorities 
        and mission relate to carrying out scientifically valid 
        research, conducting unbiased evaluations, collecting 
        and reporting accurate education statistics, and 
        translating research into practice.
            (2) Requirements.--An evaluation report described 
        in paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) subject to paragraph (3), an evaluation 
                of the activities authorized for each of the 
                National Education Centers, which--
                            (i) uses the performance management 
                        system described in section 185; and
                            (ii) is conducted by an independent 
                        entity;
                    (B) a review of the Institute to ensure its 
                work, consistent with the requirements of 
                section 114(j), is timely, rigorous, and 
                relevant;
                    (C) any recommendations regarding actions 
                that may be taken to enhance the ability of the 
                Institute and the National Education Centers to 
                carry out their priorities and missions;
                    (D) a summary of the major research 
                findings of the Institute and the activities 
                carried out under section 113(b) during the 3 
                preceding fiscal years; and
                    (E) interim findings made widely available 
                to the public (including by electronic means 
                such as posting in an easily accessible manner 
                on the Institute's website) 3 years after the 
                independent entity has begun reviewing the work 
                of the Institute.
            (3) National center for education evaluation and 
        regional assistance.--With respect to the National 
        Center for Education Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance, an evaluation report described in paragraph 
        (1) shall contain--
                    (A) an evaluation described in paragraph 
                (2)(A) of the activities authorized for such 
                Center, except for the regional educational 
                laboratories established under section 174; and
                    (B) a summative or interim evaluation, 
                whichever is most recent, for each such 
                laboratory conducted under section 174(i) on or 
                after the date of enactment of the 
                Strengthening Education through Research Act 
                or, in a case in which such an evaluation is 
                not available for a laboratory, the most recent 
                evaluation for the laboratory conducted prior 
                to the date of enactment of such Act.
    [(f) Recommendations.--The Board shall submit to the 
Director, the Secretary, and the appropriate congressional 
committees a report that includes any recommendations regarding 
any actions that may be taken to enhance the ability of the 
Institute to carry out its priorities and mission. The Board 
shall submit an interim report not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act and a final report not later than 
5 years after such date of enactment.]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 117. COMMISSIONERS OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION CENTERS.

    (a) Appointmnt of Commissioners.--
            (1) In general.--[Except as provided in subsection 
        (b), each]Each of the National Education Centers shall 
        be headed by a Commissioner appointed by the Director. 
        In appointing Commissioners, the Director shall seek to 
        promote continuity in leadership of the National 
        Education Centers and shall consider individuals 
        recommended by the Board. The Director may appoint 
        Commissioner to carry out the functions of a National 
        Education Center without regard to the provisions of 
        title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in 
        the competitive service, and the provisions of chapter 
        51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title 
        relating to classification and General Schedule pay 
        rates.
            (2) Pay and qualifications.--[Except as provided in 
        subsection (b), each]Each Commissioner shall--
                    (A) receive the rate of basic pay for level 
                IV of the Executive Schedule; and
                    (B) be highly qualified in the field of 
                education research, statistics, or evaluation.
            (3) Service.--[Except as provided in subsection 
        (b), each]Each Commissioner shall report to the 
        Director. A Commissioner shall serve for a period of 
        not more than 6 years, except that a Commissioner--
                (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    [(b) Appointment of Commissioner for Education 
Statistics.--The National Center for Education Statistics shall 
be headed by a Commissioner for Education Statistics who shall 
be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate, and who shall--
            [(1) have substantial knowledge of programs 
        assisted by the National Center for Education 
        Statistics;
            [(2) receive the rate of basic pay for level IV of 
        the Executive Schedule; and
            [(3) serve for a term of 6 years, with the term to 
        expire every sixth June 21, beginning in 2003.]
    [(c)](b) * * *
    [(d)](c) Supervision and Approval.--Each Commissioner[, 
except the Commissioner for Education Statistics,] shall carry 
out such Commissioner's duties under this title under the 
supervision and subject to the approval of the Director.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 118. AGREEMENTS.

    * * *

[SEC. 119. BIENNIAL REPORT.

    [The Director shall, on a biennial basis, transmit to the 
President, the Board, and the appropriate congressional 
committees, and make widely available to the public (including 
by means of the Internet), a report containing the following:
            [(1) A description of the activities carried out by 
        and through the National Education Centers during the 
        prior fiscal years.
            [(2) A summary of each grant, contract, and 
        cooperative agreement in excess of $100,000 funded 
        through the National Education Centers during the prior 
        fiscal years, including, at a minimum, the amount, 
        duration, recipient, purpose of the award, and the 
        relationship, if any, to the priorities and mission of 
        the Institute, which shall be available in a user-
        friendly electronic database.
            [(3) A description of how the activities of the 
        National Education Centers are consistent with the 
        principles of scientifically valid research and the 
        priorities and mission of the Institute.
            [(4) Such additional comments, recommendations, and 
        materials as the Director considers appropriate.]

SEC. 119. TRANSPARENCY.

    Not later than 120 days after awarding a grant, contract, 
or cooperative agreement under this title in excess of 
$100,000, the Director shall make publicly available (including 
through electronic means such as posting in an easily 
accessible manner on the Institute's website) a description of 
the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, including, at a 
minimum, the amount, duration, recipient, and the purpose of 
the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 120. COMPETITIVE AWARDS.

    Activities carried out under this Act through grants, 
contracts, or cooperative agreements, at a minimum, shall be 
awarded on a competitive basis and, [when 
practicable]consistent with section 114(h), through a process 
of peer review.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

             PART B--NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION RESEARCH

SEC. 131. ESTABLISHMENT.

    (a) Establishment.--* * *
    (b) Mission.--* * *
            [(1) to sponsor sustained research that will lead 
        to the accumulation of knowledge and understanding of 
        education, to--
                    [(A) ensure that all children have access 
                to a high-quality education;
                    [(B) improve student academic achievement, 
                including through the use of educational 
                technology;
                    [(C) close the achievement gap between 
                high-performing and low-performing students 
                through the improvement of teaching and 
                learning of reading, writing, mathematics, 
                science, and other academic subjects; and
                    [(D) improve access to, and opportunity 
                for, postsecondary education;]
            (1) to sponsor sustained research that will lead to 
        the accumulation of knowledge and understanding of 
        education, consistent with the priorities described in 
        section 115;
            (2) * * *
            (3) to promote quality and integrity through the 
        use of accepted practices of scientific inquiry to 
        obtain knowledge and understanding of the validity of 
        education theories, practices or conditions; [and]
            (4) to promote scientifically valid research 
        findings that can provide the basis for improving 
        academic instruction and lifelong learning[.]; and
            (5) consistent with section 114(j), to widely 
        disseminate and promote utilization of the work of the 
        Research Center.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 133. DUTIES.

    (a) General Duties.--* * *
            (1) maintain published [peer-review standards and] 
        standards for the conduct and evaluation of all 
        research and development carried out under the auspices 
        of the Research Center in accordance with
            [(2) propose to the Director a research plan that--
                    [(A) is consistent with the priorities and 
                mission of the Institute and the mission of the 
                Research Center and includes the activities 
                described in paragraph (3); and
                    [(B) shall be carried out pursuant to 
                paragraph (4) and, as appropriate, be updated 
                and modified;]
            [(3)](2) * * *
            [(4) implement the plan proposed under paragraph 
        (2) to carry out scientifically valid research that--
                    [(A) uses objective and measurable 
                indicators, including timelines, that are used 
                to assess the progress and results of such 
                research;
                    [(B) meets the procedures for peer review 
                established by the Director under section 
                114(f)(5) and the standards of research 
                described in section 134; and
                    [(C) includes both basic research and 
                applied research, which shall include research 
                conducted through field-initiated research and 
                ongoing research initiatives;]
            [(5)](3) promote the use of scientifically valid 
        research in the implementation of programs carried out 
        by the Department and other agencies within the Federal 
        Government, including active participation in 
        interagency research projects described in section 118;
            [(6)](4) * * *
            [(7)](5) synthesize and [disseminate, through the 
        National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance,]widely disseminate, consistent with section 
        114(j), the findings and results of education research 
        conducted or supported by the Research Center;
            [(8)](6) assist the [Director]Board in the 
        preparation [of a biennial report, as described in 
        section 119]and dissemination of each evaluation report 
        under section 116(d);
            [(9)](7) carry out research on successful State and 
        local education reform activities, including those that 
        result in increased academic achievement and in closing 
        the achievement gap, and which may include research on 
        social and emotional learning, and the acquisition of 
        competencies and skills, including the ability to think 
        critically, solve complex problems, evaluate evidence, 
        and communicate effectively, as approved by the 
        Director;
            (8) to the extent time and resources allow, when 
        findings from previous research under this part provoke 
        relevant follow up questions, carry out research 
        initiatives on such follow up questions;
            [[(10)](9) carry out research initiatives regarding 
        the impact of technology, including--
                    [(A) research into how technology affects 
                student achievement;
                    [(B) long-term research into cognition and 
                learning issues as they relate to the uses of 
                technology;
                    [(C) rigorous, peer-reviewed, large-scale, 
                long-term, and broadly applicable empirical 
                research that is designed to determine which 
                approaches to the use of technology are most 
                effective and cost-efficient in practice and 
                under what conditions; and
                    [(D) field-based research on how teachers 
                implement technology and Internet-based 
                resources in the classroom, including an 
                understanding how these resources are being 
                accessed, put to use, and the effectiveness of 
                such resources; and]
            (9) carry out research initiatives, including 
        rigorous, peer-reviewed, large-scale, long-term, and 
        broadly applicable empirical research, regarding the 
        impact of technology on education, including online 
        education and hybrid learning;
            [(11)](10) carry out research that is rigorous, 
        peer-reviewed, and large scale to determine which 
        methods of mathematics and science teaching are most 
        effective, cost efficient, and able to be applied, 
        duplicated, and scaled up for use in elementary and 
        secondary classrooms, including in low-performing 
        schools, to improve the teaching of, and student 
        achievement in, mathematics and science as required 
        under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.)[.]; and
            (11) to the extent feasible, carry out research on 
        the quality of implementation of practices and 
        strategies determined to be effective through 
        scientifically valid research.
    [(b) Eligibility.--Research carried out under subsection 
(a) through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements shall 
be carried out only by recipients with the ability and capacity 
to conduct scientifically valid research.]
    (b) Plan.--The Research Commissioner shall propose to the 
Director and, subject to the approval of the Director, 
implement a research plan for the activities of the Research 
Center that--
            (1) is consistent with the priorities and mission 
        of the Institute and the mission of the Research Center 
        described in section 131(b), and includes the 
        activities described in subsection (a);
            (2) is carried out and, as appropriate, updated and 
        modified, including through the use of the results of 
        the Research Center's most recent evaluation report 
        under section 116(d);
            (3) describes how the Research Center will use the 
        performance management system described in section 185 
        to assess and improve the activities of the Center;
            (4) meets the procedures for peer review 
        established and maintained by the Director under 
        section 114(f)(5) and the standards of research 
        described in section 134; and
            (5) includes both basic research and applied 
        research, which shall include research conducted 
        through field-initiated research and ongoing research 
        initiatives.
    (c) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--
            (1) In general.--The Research Commissioner may 
        award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 
        agreements with, eligible applicants to carry out 
        research under subsection (a).
            (2) Eligibility.--For purposes of this subsection, 
        the term ``eligible applicant'' means an applicant that 
        has the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically 
        valid research.
            (3) Applications.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible applicant that 
                wishes to receive a grant, or enter into a 
                contract or cooperative agreement, under this 
                section shall submit an application to the 
                Research Commissioner at such time, in such 
                manner, and containing such information as the 
                Research Commissioner may require.
                    (B) Content.--An application submitted 
                under subparagraph (A) shall describe how the 
                eligible applicant will address and demonstrate 
                progress on the requirements of the performance 
                management system described in section 185, 
                with respect to the activities that will be 
                carried out under the grant, contract, or 
                cooperative agreement.
    [(c)](d) National Research and Development Centers.--
            [(1) Support.--In carrying out activities under 
        subsection (a)(3), the Research Commissioner shall 
        support not less than 8national research and 
        development centers. The Research Commissioner shall 
        assign each of the 8 national research and development 
        centers not less than 1 of the topics described in 
        paragraph (2). In addition, the Research Commissioner 
        may assign each of the 8 national research and 
        development centers additional topics of research 
        consistent with the mission and priorities of the 
        Institute and the mission of the Research Center.]
            (1) Support.--In carrying out activities under 
        subsection (a)(2), the Research Commissioner shall 
        support national research and development centers that 
        address topics of importance and relevance in the field 
        of education across the country and are consistent with 
        the Institute's priorities under section 115.
            [(2) Topics of research.--The Research Commissioner 
        shall support the following topics of research, through 
        national research and development centers or through 
        other means:
                    [(A) Adult literacy.
                    [(B) Assessment, standards, and 
                accountability research.
                    [(C) Early childhood development and 
                education.
                    [(D) English language learners research.
                    [(E) Improving low achieving schools.
                    [(F) Innovation in education reform.
                    [(G) State and local policy.
                    [(H) Postsecondary education and training.
                    [(I) Rural education.
                    [(J) Teacher quality.
                    [(K) Reading and literacy.]
            [(3) Duties of centers.--The national research and 
        development centers shall address areas of national 
        need, including in educational technology areas. The 
        Research Commissioner may support additional national 
        research and development centers to address topics of 
        research not described in paragraph (2) if such topics 
        are consistent with the priorities and mission of the 
        Institute and the mission of the Research Center. The 
        research carried out by the centers shall incorporate 
        the potential or existing role of educational 
        technology, where appropriate, in achieving the goals 
        of each center.]
            [(4)](2) Scope.--Support for a national research 
        and development center shall be for a period of not 
        more than 5 years, shall be of sufficient size and 
        scope to be effective, and [notwithstanding section 
        134(b),]notwithstanding section 114(h), may be renewed 
        without competition for not more than [5 additional]2 
        additional years if the Director, in consultation with 
        the Research Commissioner and the Board, determines 
        that the research of the national research and 
        development center--
                    (A) continues to address priorities of the 
                Institute; [and]
                    (B) merits renewal (applying the procedures 
                and standards established in section 134)[.]; 
                and
                    (C) demonstrates progress on the 
                requirements of the performance management 
                system described in section 185.
            [(5) Limit.--No national research and development 
        center may be supported under this subsection for a 
        period of more than 10 years without submitting to a 
        competitive process for the award of the support.]
            [(6)](3) Continuation of awards.--The Director 
        shall continue awards made to the national research and 
        development centers that are in effect on the day 
        before the date of enactment of this Act in accordance 
        with the terms of those awards and may renew them in 
        accordance with [paragraphs (4) and (5)]paragraph 2.
            [[(7)](4) Disaggregation.--To the extent feasible, 
        research conducted under this subsection shall be 
        disaggregated by age, race, gender, and socioeconomic 
        background[.]; and]
            (4) Disaggregation.--To the extent feasible and 
        when relevant to the research being conducted, research 
        conducted under this subsection shall be disaggregated 
        and cross-tabulated by age, race, gender, disability 
        status, English learner status, socioeconomic 
        background, and other population characteristics as 
        determined by the Research Commissioner, so long as any 
        reported information does not reveal individually 
        identifiable information.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 134. STANDARDS FOR CONDUCT AND EVALUATION OF RESEARCH.

    (a) In General.--* * *
            (1) ensure that all research conducted under the 
        direction of the Research Center follows scientifically 
        [based]valid research standards;
            (2) develop such other standards as may be 
        necessary to govern the conduct and evaluation of all 
        research, development, [and wide dissemination 
        activities]and, consistent with section 114(j), wide 
        dissemination and utilization activities carried out by 
        the Research Center to assure that such activities meet 
        the highest standards of professional excellence;
            (3) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    [(b) Peer Review.--
            [(1) In general.--The Director shall establish a 
        peer review system, involving highly qualified 
        individuals with an in-depth knowledge of the subject 
        to be investigated, for reviewing and evaluating all 
        applications for grants and cooperative agreements that 
        exceed $100,000, and for evaluating and assessing the 
        products of research by all recipients of grants and 
        cooperative agreements under this Act.
            [(2) Evaluation.--The Research Commissioner shall--
                    [(A) develop the procedures to be used in 
                evaluating applications for research grants, 
                cooperative agreements, and contracts, and 
                specify the criteria and factors (including, as 
                applicable, the use of longitudinal data 
                linking test scores, enrollment, and graduation 
                rates over time) which shall be considered in 
                making such evaluations; and
                    [(B) evaluate the performance of each 
                recipient of an award of a research grant, 
                contract, or cooperative agreement at the 
                conclusion of the award.]
    [(c)](b) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            PART C--NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

SEC. 151. ESTABLISHMENT.

    (a) * * *
    (b) Mission.--* * *
            (1) * * *
            (2) to report education information and statistics 
        in a timely manner and consistent with the privacy 
        protections under section 183; and
            (3) * * *
                    (A) is objective, secular, neutral, and 
                nonideological and is free of partisan 
                political influence and racial, cultural, 
                disability, gender, or regional bias; and
                    [(B) is relevant and useful to 
                practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and 
                the public.]
                    (B) is consistent with section 114(j), is 
                relevant, timely, and widely disseminated.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 153. DUTIES.

    (a) General Duties.--The Statistics Center shall, 
consistent with the privacy protections under section 183, 
collect, report, analyze, and disseminate statistical data 
related to education in the United States and in other nations, 
including--
            (1) * * *
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    [(D) secondary school completions, 
                dropouts, and adult literacy and reading 
                skills;]
                    (D) secondary school graduation and 
                completion rates, including the four-year 
                adjusted cohort graduation rate (as defined in 
                section 200.19(b)(1)(i)(A) of title 34, Code of 
                Federal Regulations, as such section was in 
                effect on November 28, 2008) and the extended-
                year adjusted cohort graduation rate (as 
                defined in section 200.19(b)(1)(v)(A) of title 
                34, Code of Federal Regulations, as such 
                section was in effect on November 28, 2008), 
                and school dropout rates, and adult literacy;
                    (E) access to, [and opportunity 
                for,]opportunity for, and completion of 
                postsecondary education, including data on 
                financial aid to postsecondary students;
                    [(F) teaching, including--
                            [(i) data on in-service 
                        professional development, including a 
                        comparison of courses taken in the core 
                        academic areas of reading, mathematics, 
                        and science with courses in noncore 
                        academic areas, including technology 
                        courses; and
                            [(ii) the percentage of teachers 
                        who are highly qualified (as such term 
                        is defined in section 9101 of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) in each State 
                        and, where feasible, in each local 
                        educational agency and school;]
                    (F) teaching and school leadership, 
                including information on teacher and school 
                leader pre-service preparation, professional 
                development, teacher distribution, and teacher 
                and school leader evaluation;
                    (G) instruction, the conditions of the 
                education workplace, and the supply of, and 
                demand for, teachers and school leaders;
                    (H) the incidence, frequency, seriousness, 
                and nature of violence affecting students, 
                school personnel, and other individuals 
                participating in school activities, as well as 
                other indices of school safety, climate, and 
                in- and out-of-school suspensions and 
                expulsions, including information regarding--
                            (i) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    [(K) the existence and use of educational 
                technology and access to the Internet by 
                students and teachers in elementary schools and 
                secondary schools;]
                    (K) the access to, and use of, technology 
                to improve elementary schools and secondary 
                schools;
                    (L) access to, [and opportunity 
                for,]opportunity for, and quality of early 
                childhood education;
                    (M) the availability of, and access to, 
                before-school and after-school programs 
                (including [such programs during school 
                recesses]summer school);
                    (N) student participation in and completion 
                of secondary and postsecondary 
                [vocational]career and technical education 
                programs by specific program area; [and]
                    (O) the existence and use of school 
                libraries; and
                    (P) access to, and opportunity for, adult 
                education and literacy activities;
            (2) * * *
            (3) collecting, analyzing, cross-tabulating, and 
        reporting, to the extent feasible, information by 
        gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, [limited 
        English proficiency]English learner status, mobility, 
        disability, urban, rural, suburban districts, and other 
        population characteristics, [when such disaggre-
        gated information will facilitate educational and 
        policy decisionmaking]so long as any reported 
        information does not reveal individually identifiable 
        information;
            (4) assisting public and private educational 
        agencies, organizations, and institutions in improving 
        and automating statistical and data collection 
        activities, which may include assisting State 
        educational agencies and local educational agencies 
        with the disaggregation of data and with the 
        development of longitudinal student data systems, and 
        the implementation (with the assistance of the 
        Department and other Federal officials who have 
        statutory authority to provide assistance on applicable 
        privacy laws, regulations, and policies) of appropriate 
        privacy protections;
            (5) [determining voluntary standards and guidelines 
        to assist]providing technical assistance to State 
        educational agencies in developing statewide 
        longitudinal data systems that link individual student 
        data consistent with the requirements of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et 
        seq.), [promote linkages across States,] and protect 
        student privacy consistent with section 183, to improve 
        student academic achievement and close achievement 
        gaps;
            (6) acquiring and disseminating data on educational 
        activities and student achievement (such as the 
        [Third]Trends in International Math and Science Study 
        and the Program for International Student Assessment) 
        in the United States compared with foreign nations;
            (7) conducting longitudinal and special data 
        collections necessary to report on the condition and 
        progress of education[;] and ensuring such collections 
        protect student privacy consistent with section 183; 
        and
            [(8) assisting the Director in the preparation of a 
        biennial report, as described in section 119; and]
            (8) assisting the Board in the preparation and 
        dissemination of each evaluation report under section 
        116(d).
            [(9) determining, in consultation with the National 
        Research Council of the National Academies, methodology 
        by which States may accurately measure graduation rates 
        (defined as the percentage of students who graduate 
        from secondary school with a regular diploma in the 
        standard number of years), school completion rates, and 
        dropout rates.]
    (b) Plan.--The Statistics Commissioner shall develop a plan 
in consultation with the Director and implement a plan for 
activities of the Statistics Center that--
            (1) is consistent with the priorities and mission 
        of the Institute and the mission of the Statistics 
        Center described in section 151(b);
            (2) is carried out and, as appropriate, updated and 
        modified, including through the use of the results of 
        the Statistic Center's most recent evaluation report 
        under section 116(d); and
            (3) describes how the Statistics Center will use 
        the performance management system described in section 
        185 to assess and improve the activities of the Center.
    [(b)](c) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 154. PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES.

    (a) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--[In 
carrying]
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the duties under 
        this part, the Statistics Commissioner, may award 
        grants, enter into contracts and cooperative 
        agreements, and provide technical assistance to 
        eligible applicants.
            (2) Eligibility.--For purposes of this section, the 
        term ``eligible applicant'' means an applicant that has 
        the ability and capacity to carry out activities under 
        this part.
            (3) Applications.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible applicant that 
                wishes to receive a grant, or enter into a 
                contract or cooperative agreement, under this 
                section shall submit an application to the 
                Statistics Commissioner at such time, in such 
                manner, and containing such information as the 
                Statistics Commissioner may require.
                    (B) Contents.--An application submitted 
                under subparagraph (A) shall describe how the 
                eligible applicant will address and demonstrate 
                progress on the requirements of the performance 
                management system described in section 185, 
                with respect to the activities that will be 
                carried out under the grant, contract, or 
                cooperative agreement.
    (b) Gathering Information.--
            (1) Sampling.--* * *
            (2) Source of information.--* * *
                    (A) from States, local educational 
                agencies, public and private schools, 
                preschools, institutions of higher education, 
                [vocational and]career and technical education 
                programs, adult education programs, libraries, 
                administrators, teachers, students, the general 
                public, and other individuals, organizations, 
                agencies, and institutions (including 
                information collected by States and local 
                educational agencies for their own use); and
                    (B) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Duration.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
the grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this 
section may be awarded, on a competitive basis, for a period of 
not more than 5 years, and may be renewed at the discretion of 
the Statistics Commissioner for an additional period of not 
more than [5 years]2 years if the recipient demonstrates 
progress on the requirements of the performance management 
system described in section 185, with respect to the activities 
carried out under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement 
received under this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 155. REPORTS.

    (a) Procedures for Issuance of Reports.--The Statistics 
Commissioner, shall establish procedures, in accordance with 
section 186, to ensure that the reports issued under this 
section are relevant, of high quality, useful to customers, 
subject to rigorous peer review (consistent with section 
114(h)), produced in a timely fashion, and free from any 
partisan political influence.
    (b) Report on Condition and Progress of Education.--Not 
later than June 1, [2003]2015, and each June 1 thereafter, the 
Statistics Commissioner, shall submit to the President and the 
appropriate congressional committees a statistical report on 
the condition and progress of education in the United States.
    (c) Statistical Reports.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 156. DISSEMINATION.

    (a) General Requests.--
            (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Joint Statistical Projects.--The Statistics Center may 
engage in joint statistical projects related to the mission of 
the Center, or other statistical purposes authorized by law, 
with nonprofit organizations or agencies, and the cost of such 
projects shall be shared equitably as determined by the 
Secretary. Such projects shall adhere to student privacy 
requirements under section 183.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (e) Access.--
            (1) Other agencies.--The Statistics Center shall, 
        consistent with section 183, cooperate with other 
        Federal agencies having a need for educational data in 
        providing access to educational data received by the 
        Statistics Center. Before receiving access to 
        educational data under this paragraph, a Federal agency 
        shall describe to the Statistics Center the specific 
        research intent for use of the data, how access to the 
        data may meet such research intent, and how the Federal 
        agency will protect the confidentiality of the data 
        consistent with the requirements of section 183.
            (2) Interested parties.--The Statistics Center 
        shall, in accordance with such terms and conditions as 
        the Center may prescribe and consistent with section 
        183, provide all interested parties, including public 
        and private agencies, parents, and other individuals, 
        direct access, in the most appropriate form (including, 
        where possible, electronically), to data collected by 
        the Statistics Center for the purposes of research and 
        acquiring statistical information. Before receiving 
        access to data under this paragraph, an interested 
        party shall describe to the Statistics Center the 
        specific research intent for use of the data, how 
        access to the data may meet such research intent, and 
        how the party will protect the confidentiality of the 
        data consistent with the requirements of section 183.
            (3) Denial authority.--The Statistics Center shall 
        have the authority to deny any requests for access to 
        data under paragraph (1) or (2) if the data requested 
        would be unnecessary for or unrelated to the proposed 
        research design or research intent, or if the request 
        would introduce risk of a privacy violation or misuse 
        of data.
            (4) Applicability of requirements.--The 
        requirements described under the second sentence of 
        paragraph (1) and the second sentence of paragraph (2) 
        and the authority under paragraph (3) shall not apply 
        to public use data sets.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 157. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION STATISTICS [SYSTEMS]PARTNERSHIPS.

    The Statistics Center may establish 1 or more [national 
cooperative education statistics systems]cooperative education 
statistics partnerships for the purpose of [producing and 
maintaining, with the cooperation]reviewing and improving, with 
the voluntary participation of the States, [comparable and 
uniform]data quality standards, which may include establishing 
voluntary guidelines to standardize information and data on 
early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, 
postsecondary education, [adult education, and libraries,]and 
adult education that are useful for policymaking at the 
Federal, State, and local levels. No student data shall be 
collected by the partnerships established under this section, 
nor shall such partnerships establish a national student data 
system.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

     PART D--NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION EVALUATION AND REGIONAL 
                               ASSISTANCE

SEC. 171. ESTABLISHMENT.

    (a) Establishment.--* * *
    (b) Mission.--* * *
            [(1) to provide technical assistance;]
            [(2)](1) to conduct evaluations of Federal 
        education programs administered by the Secretary (and 
        as time and resources allow, other education programs) 
        to determine the impact [of such programs (especially 
        on student academic achievement in the core academic 
        areas of reading, mathematics, and science)]and to 
        evaluate the implementation of such programs;
            [(3)](2) to support synthesis [and wide 
        dissemination of results of]and, consistent with 
        section 114(j), the wide dissemination and utilization 
        of results of all evaluation, research, and products 
        developed; and
            [(4)](3) * * *
    [(c) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--In 
carrying out the duties under this part, the Director may award 
grants, enter into contracts and cooperative agreements, and 
provide technical assistance.]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 172. COMMISSIONER FOR EDUCATION EVALUATION AND REGIONAL 
                    ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--* * *
            (1) * * *
            [(2) widely disseminate information on 
        scientifically valid research, statistics, and 
        evaluation on education, particularly to State 
        educational agencies and local educational agencies, to 
        institutions of higher education, to the public, the 
        media, voluntary organizations, professional 
        associations, and other constituencies, especially with 
        respect to information relating to, at a minimum--
                    [(A) the core academic areas of reading, 
                mathematics, and science;
                    [(B) closing the achievement gap between 
                high-performing students and low-performing 
                students;
                    [(C) educational practices that improve 
                academic achievement and promote learning;
                    [(D) education technology, including 
                software; and
                    [(E) those topics covered by the 
                Educational Resources Information Center 
                Clearinghouses (established under section 
                941(f) of the Educational Research, 
                Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act 
                of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 6041(f)) (as such provision 
                was in effect on the day before the date of 
                enactment of this Act);]
            (2) widely disseminate, consistent with section 
        114(j), all information on scientifically valid 
        research and statistics supported by the Institute and 
        all scientifically valid education evaluations 
        supported by the Institute, particularly to State 
        educational agencies and local educational agencies, to 
        institutions of higher education, to the public, the 
        media, voluntary organizations, professional 
        associations, and other constituencies, especially with 
        respect to the priorities described in section 115;
            (3) make such information accessible in a user-
        friendly, timely, and efficient manner, consistent with 
        section 114(j) (including through use of a searchable 
        Internet-based online database [that shall include all 
        topics covered in paragraph (2)(E)] to schools, 
        institutions of higher education, educators (including 
        early childhood educators), parents, administrators, 
        policymakers, researchers, public and private entities 
        (including providers of early childhood services), 
        entities responsible for carrying out technical 
        assistance through the Department, and the general 
        public;
            (4) support the regional educational laboratories 
        in conducting applied research, the [development and 
        dissemination]development, dissemination, and 
        utilization of educational research, products and 
        processes, [the provision of technical assistance,] and 
        other activities to serve the educational needs of such 
        laboratories' regions;
            (5) manage the National Library of Education 
        described in [subsection (d)]subsection (e), and other 
        sources of digital information on education research; 
        and
            (6) assist the [Director]Board in the [preparation 
        of a biennial report]preparation and dissemination of 
        each evaluation report, described in section [119; 
        and]116(d).
            [(7) award a contract for a pre-Kindergarten 
        through grade 12 mathematics and science teacher 
        clearinghouse.]
    (b) Additional Duties.--* * *
            (1) ensure that all information disseminated under 
        this section is provided in a cost-effective, 
        nonduplicative manner that includes the most current 
        research findings[, which may include through the 
        continuation of individual clearinghouses authorized 
        under the Educational Research, Development, 
        Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (title IX of 
        the Goals 2000: Educate America Act; 20 U.S.C. 6001 et 
        seq.) (as such Act existed on the day before the date 
        of enactment of this Act)];
            (2) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    [(c) Continuation.--The Director shall continue awards for 
the support of the Educational Resources Information Center 
Clearinghouses and contracts for regional educational 
laboratories (established under subsections (f) and (h) of 
section 941 of the Educational Research, Development, 
Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 6041(f) 
and (h)) (as such awards were in effect on the day before the 
date of enactment of this Act)) for the duration of those 
awards, in accordance with the terms and agreements of such 
awards.]
    (c) Plan.--The Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
Commissioner shall propose to the Director and, subject to the 
approval of the Director, implement a plan for the activities 
of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional 
Assistance that--
            (1) is consistent with the priorities and mission 
        of the Institute and the mission of the Center 
        described in section 171(b);
            (2) is carried out and, as appropriate, updated and 
        modified, including through the use of the results of 
        the Center's most recent evaluation report under 
        section 116(d); and
            (3) describes how the Center will use the 
        performance management system described in section 185 
        to assess and improve the activities of the Center.
    (d) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the duties under 
        this part, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
        Commissioner may--
                    (A) award grants, contracts, or cooperative 
                agreements to eligible applicants to carry out 
                the activities under this part; and
                    (B) provide technical assistance.
            (2) Eligibility.--For purposes of this section, the 
        term ``eligible applicant'' means an applicant that has 
        the ability and capacity to carry out activities under 
        this part.
            (3) Entities to conduct evaluations.--In awarding 
        grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under 
        paragraph (1) to carry out activities under section 
        173, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
        Commissioner shall make such awards to eligible 
        applicants with the ability and capacity to conduct 
        scientifically valid education evaluations.
            (4) Applications.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible applicant that 
                wishes to receive a grant, contract, or 
                cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) shall 
                submit an application to the Evaluation and 
                Regional Assistance Commissioner at such time, 
                in such manner, and containing such information 
                as the Commissioner may require.
                    (B) Contents.--An application submitted 
                under subparagraph (A) shall describe how the 
                eligible applicant will address and demonstrate 
                progress on the requirements of the performance 
                management system described in section 185, 
                with respect to the activities carried out 
                under such grant, contract, or cooperative 
                agreement.
            (5) Duration.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
        of law, the grants, contracts, and cooperative 
        agreements under paragraph (1) may be awarded, on a 
        competitive basis, for a period of not more than 5 
        years, and may be renewed at the discretion of the 
        Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner for an 
        additional period of not more than 2 years if the 
        recipient demonstrates progress on the requirements of 
        the performance management system described in section 
        185, with respect to the activities carried out under 
        the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
    [(d)](e) National Library of Education.--
            (1) Establishment.--[There is established within 
        the National Center for Education Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance]The Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner may establish a National 
        Library of Education that shall--
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (2) Information.--* * *
                    (A) all products and publications developed 
                through, or supported by, the Institute; and
                    (B) * * *
                            (i) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                            (ii) developed by the Department, 
                        other Federal agencies, or entities 
                        (including entities supported under the 
                        Educational Technical Assistance Act of 
                        [2002 and the Educational Resources 
                        Information Center Clearinghouses 
                        (established under section 941(f) of 
                        the Educational Research, Development, 
                        Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 
                        1994 (20 U.S.C. 6041(f)) (as such 
                        provision was in effect on the day 
                        before the date of enactment of this 
                        Act))).]2002).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 173. EVALUATIONS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Requirements.--In carrying out its missions, 
        the National Center for Education Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance [may]shall--
                    (A) conduct or support [evaluations]high-
                quality evaluations, including impact 
                evaluations that use rigorous methodologies 
                that permit the strongest possible causal 
                inferences, consistent with the Center's 
                mission as described in section 171(b);
                    (B) evaluate programs under title I of the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), including programs 
                under part A of such title (20 U.S.C. 6311 et 
                seq.);
                    [(C) to the extent practicable, examine 
                evaluations conducted or supported by others in 
                order to determine the quality and relevance of 
                the evidence of effectiveness generated by 
                those evaluations, with the approval of the 
                Director;]
                    [(D)](C) coordinate the activities of the 
                National Center for Education Evaluation and 
                Regional Assistance with other evaluation 
                activities in the Department;
                    [(E) review and, where feasible, supplement 
                Federal education program evaluations, 
                particularly those by the Department, to 
                determine or enhance the quality and relevance 
                of the evidence generated by those 
                evaluations;]
                    [(F)](D) establish evaluation methodology; 
                [and]
                    [(G) assist the Director in the preparation 
                of the biennial report, as described in section 
                119.]
                    (E) provide evaluation findings in an 
                understandable, easily accessible, and usable 
                format to support program improvement;
                    (F) support the evaluation activities 
                described in section 401 of the Strengthening 
                Education through Research Act that are carried 
                out by the Director; and
                    (G) to the extent feasible--
                            (i) examine evaluations conducted 
                        or supported by others to determine the 
                        quality and relevance of the evidence 
                        of effectiveness generated by those 
                        evaluations, with the approval of the 
                        Director;
                            (ii) review and supplement Federal 
                        education program evaluations, 
                        particularly such evaluations by the 
                        Department, to determine or enhance the 
                        quality and relevance of the evidence 
                        generated by those evaluations;
                            (iii) conduct implementation 
                        evaluations that promote continuous 
                        improvement and inform policymaking;
                            (iv) evaluate the short- and long-
                        term effects and cost efficiencies 
                        across programs assisted or authorized 
                        under Federal law and administrated by 
                        the Department; and
                            (v) synthesize the results of 
                        evaluation studies for and across 
                        Federal education programs, policies, 
                        and practices.
            (2) Additional requirements.--Each evaluation 
        conducted by the National Center for Education 
        Evaluation and Regional Assistance pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) adhere to the highest possible 
                standards of quality for conducting 
                scientifically valid education evaluation; 
                [and]
                    (B) be subject to rigorous peer-review[.] 
                under section 114(h); and
                    (C) be widely disseminated, consistent with 
                section 114(j).
    (b) Administration of Evaluations Under Title I of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.--The Evaluation 
and Regional Assistance Commissioner, consistent with the 
mission of the National Center for Education Evaluation and 
Regional Assistance under section 171(b), shall administer all 
operations and [contracts]grants, contracts, or cooperative 
agreements associated with evaluations authorized by part E of 
title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 6491 et seq.) and administered by the Department as 
of the date of enactment of this Act.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 174. REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, 
                    DISSEMINATION, AND [TECHNICAL 
                    ASSISTANCE]EVALUATION.

    (a) Regional Educational Laboratories.--[The 
Director]Except as provided in subsection (e)(8), the 
Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall enter 
into [contracts]grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
with entities to establish a networked system of 10 regional 
educational laboratories that serve the needs of each region of 
the United States in accordance with the provisions of this 
section. The amount of assistance allocated to each laboratory 
by the Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall 
reflect the number of local educational agencies and the number 
of school-age children within the region served by such 
laboratory, as well as the cost of providing services within 
the geographic area encompassed by the region.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Eligible Applicants.--[The Director]
            (1) In general.--The Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner may enter into [contracts under 
        this section with research organizations, institutions, 
        agencies, institutions of higher education,]grants, 
        contracts, or cooperative agreements under this section 
        with public or private, nonprofit or for-profit 
        research organizations, other organizations, or 
        institutions of higher education, or partnerships among 
        such entities, [or individuals,] with the demonstrated 
        ability or capacity to carry out the activities 
        described in this section[, including regional entities 
        that carried out activities under the Educational 
        Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement 
        Act of 1994 (as such Act existed on the day before the 
        date of enactment of this Act) and title XIII of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as such 
        title existed on the day before the date of enactment 
        of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 
        107-110))].
            (2) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the 
        term ``eligible applicant'' means an entity described 
        in paragraph (1).
    [(d) Applications.--
            [(1) Submission.--Each applicant desiring a 
        contract under this section shall submit an application 
        at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Director may reasonably require.
            [(2) Plan.--Each application submitted under 
        paragraph (1) shall contain a 5-year plan for carrying 
        out the activities described in this section in a 
        manner that addresses the priorities established under 
        section 207 and addresses the needs of all States (and 
        to the extent practicable, of local educational 
        agencies) within the region to be served by the 
        regional educational laboratory, on an ongoing basis.
    [(e) Entering into Contracts.--
            [(1) In general.--In entering into contracts under 
        this section, the Director shall--
                    [(A) enter into contracts for a 5-year 
                period; and
                    [(B) ensure that regional educational 
                laboratories established under this section 
                have strong and effective governance, 
                organization, management, and administration, 
                and employ qualified staff.
            [(2) Coordination.--In order to ensure coordination 
        and prevent unnecessary duplication of activities among 
        the regions, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
        Commissioner shall--
                    [(A) share information about the activities 
                of each regional educational laboratory awarded 
                a contract under this section with each other 
                regional educational laboratory awarded a 
                contract under this section and with the 
                Department of Education, including the Director 
                and the Board;
                    [(B) oversee a strategic plan for ensuring 
                that each regional educational laboratory 
                awarded a contract under this section increases 
                collaboration and resource-sharing in such 
                activities;
                    [(C) ensure, where appropriate, that the 
                activities of each regional educational 
                laboratory awarded a contract under this 
                section also serve national interests; and
                    [(D) ensure that each regional educational 
                laboratory awarded a contract under this 
                section coordinates such laboratory's 
                activities with the activities of each other 
                regional technical assistance provider.
            [(3) Outreach.--In conducting competitions for 
        contracts under this section, the Director shall--
                    [(A) actively encourage eligible entities 
                to compete for such awards by making 
                information and technical assistance relating 
                to the competition widely available; and
                    [(B) seek input from the chief executive 
                officers of States, chief State school 
                officers, educators, and parents regarding the 
                need for applied research, wide dissemination, 
                training, technical assistance, and development 
                activities authorized by this title in the 
                regions to be served by the regional 
                educational laboratories and how those 
                educational needs could be addressed most 
                effectively.
            [(4) Objectives and indicators.--Before entering 
        into a contract under this section, the Director shall 
        design specific objectives and measurable indicators to 
        be used to assess the particular programs or 
        initiatives, and ongoing progress and performance, of 
        the regional educational laboratories, in order to 
        ensure that the educational needs of the region are 
        being met and that the latest and best research and 
        proven practices are being carried out as part of 
        school improvement efforts.
            [(5) Standards.--The Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner shall establish a system for 
        technical and peer review to ensure that applied 
        research activities, research-based reports, and 
        products of the regional educational laboratories are 
        consistent with the research standards described in 
        section 134 and the evaluation standards adhered to 
        pursuant to section 173(a)(2)(A).
    [(f) Central Mission and Primary Function.--Each regional 
educational laboratory awarded a contract under this section 
shall support applied research, development, wide 
dissemination, and technical assistance activities by--
            [(1) providing training (which may include 
        supporting internships and fellowships and providing 
        stipends) and technical assistance to State educational 
        agencies, local educational agencies, school boards, 
        schools funded by the Bureau as appropriate, and State 
        boards of education regarding, at a minimum--
                    [(A) the administration and implementation 
                of programs under the Elementary and Secondary 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
                    [(B) scientifically valid research in 
                education on teaching methods, assessment 
                tools, and high quality, challenging curriculum 
                frameworks for use by teachers and 
                administrators in, at a minimum--
                            [(i) the core academic subjects of 
                        mathematics, science, and reading;
                            [(ii) English language acquisition;
                            [(iii) education technology; and
                            [(iv) the replication and adaption 
                        of exemplary and promising practices 
                        and new educational methods, including 
                        professional development strategies and 
                        the use of educational technology to 
                        improve teaching and learning; and
                    [(C) the facilitation of communication 
                between educational experts, school officials, 
                and teachers, parents, and librarians, to 
                enable such individuals to assist schools to 
                develop a plan to meet the State education 
                goals;
            [(2) developing and widely disseminating, including 
        through Internet-based means, scientifically valid 
        research, information, reports, and publications that 
        are usable for improving academic achievement, closing 
        achievement gaps, and encouraging and sustaining school 
        improvement, to--
                    [(A) schools, districts, institutions of 
                higher education, educators (including early 
                childhood educators and librarians), parents, 
                policymakers, and other constituencies, as 
                appropriate, within the region in which the 
                regional educational laboratory is located; and
                    [(B) the National Center for Education 
                Evaluation and Regional Assistance;
            [(3) developing a plan for identifying and serving 
        the needs of the region by conducting a continuing 
        survey of the educational needs, strengths, and 
        weaknesses within the region, including a process of 
        open hearings to solicit the views of schools, 
        teachers, administrators, parents, local educational 
        agencies, librarians, and State educational agencies 
        within the region;
            [(4) in the event such quality applied research 
        does not exist as determined by the regional 
        educational laboratory or the Department, carrying out 
        applied research projects that are designed to serve 
        the particular educational needs (in prekindergarten 
        through grade 16) of the region in which the regional 
        educational laboratory is located, that reflect 
        findings from scientifically valid research, and that 
        result in user-friendly, replicable school-based 
        classroom applications geared toward promoting 
        increased student achievement, including using applied 
        research to assist in solving site-specific problems 
        and assisting in development activities (including 
        high-quality and on-going professional development and 
        effective parental involvement strategies);
            [(5) supporting and serving the educational 
        development activities and needs of the region by 
        providing educational applied research in usable forms 
        to promote school-improvement, academic achievement, 
        and the closing of achievement gaps and contributing to 
        the current base of education knowledge by addressing 
        enduring problems in elementary and secondary education 
        and access to postsecondary education;
            [(6) collaborating and coordinating services with 
        other technical assistance providers funded by the 
        Department of Education;
            [(7) assisting in gathering information on school 
        finance systems to promote improved access to 
        educational opportunities and to better serve all 
        public school students;
            [(8) assisting in gathering information on 
        alternative administrative structures that are more 
        conducive to planning, implementing, and sustaining 
        school reform and improved academic achievement;
            [(9) bringing teams of experts together to develop 
        and implement school improvement plans and strategies, 
        especially in low-performing or high poverty schools; 
        and
            [(10) developing innovative approaches to the 
        application of technology in education that are 
        unlikely to originate from within the private sector, 
        but which could result in the development of new forms 
        of education software, education content, and 
        technology-enabled pedagogy.
    [(g) Activities.--Each regional educational laboratory 
awarded a contract under this section shall carry out the 
following activities:
            [(1) Collaborate with the National Education 
        Centers in order to--
                    [(A) maximize the use of research conducted 
                through the National Education Centers in the 
                work of such laboratory;
                    [(B) keep the National Education Centers 
                apprised of the work of the regional 
                educational laboratory in the field; and
                    [(C) inform the National Education Centers 
                about additional research needs identified in 
                the field.
            [(2) Consult with the State educational agencies 
        and local educational agencies in the region in 
        developing the plan for serving the region.
            [(3) Develop strategies to utilize schools as 
        critical components in reforming education and 
        revitalizing rural communities in the United States.
            [(4) Report and disseminate information on 
        overcoming the obstacles faced by educators and schools 
        in high poverty, urban, and rural areas.
            [(5) Identify successful educational programs that 
        have either been developed by such laboratory in 
        carrying out such laboratory's functions or that have 
        been developed or used by others within the region 
        served by the laboratory and make such information 
        available to the Secretary and the network of regional 
        educational laboratories so that such programs may be 
        considered for inclusion in the national education 
        dissemination system.
    [(h) Governing Board and Allocation.--
            [(1) In general.--In carrying out its 
        responsibilities, each regional educational laboratory 
        awarded a contract under this section, in keeping with 
        the terms and conditions of such laboratory's contract, 
        shall--
                    [(A) establish a governing board that--
                            [(i) reflects a balanced 
                        representation of--
                                    [(I) the States in the 
                                region;
                                    [(II) the interests and 
                                concerns of regional 
                                constituencies; and
                                    [(III) technical expertise;
                            [(ii) includes the chief State 
                        school officer or such officer's 
                        designee of each State represented in 
                        such board's region;
                            [(iii) includes--
                                    [(I) representatives 
                                nominated by chief executive 
                                officers of States and State 
                                organizations of 
                                superintendents, principals, 
                                institutions of higher 
                                education, teachers, parents, 
                                businesses, and researchers; or
                                    [(II) other representatives 
                                of the organizations described 
                                in subclause (I), as required 
                                by State law in effect on the 
                                day before the date of 
                                enactment of this Act;
                            [(iv) is the sole entity that--
                                    [(I) guides and directs the 
                                laboratory in carrying out the 
                                provisions of this subsection 
                                and satisfying the terms and 
                                conditions of the contract 
                                award;
                                    [(II) determines the 
                                regional agenda of the 
                                laboratory;
                                    [(III) engages in an 
                                ongoing dialogue with the 
                                Evaluation and Regional 
                                Assistance Commissioner 
                                concerning the laboratory's 
                                goals, activities, and 
                                priorities; and
                                    [(IV) determines at the 
                                start of the contract period, 
                                subject to the requirements of 
                                this section and in 
                                consultation with the 
                                Evaluation and Regional 
                                Assistance Commissioner, the 
                                mission of the regional 
                                educational laboratory for the 
                                duration of the contract 
                                period;
                            [(v) ensures that the regional 
                        educational laboratory attains and 
                        maintains a high level of quality in 
                        the laboratory's work and products;
                            [(vi) establishes standards to 
                        ensure that the regional educational 
                        laboratory has strong and effective 
                        governance, organization, management, 
                        and administration, and employs 
                        qualified staff;
                            [(vii) directs the regional 
                        educational laboratory to carry out the 
                        laboratory's duties in a manner that 
                        will make progress toward achieving the 
                        State education goals and reforming 
                        schools and educational systems; and
                            [(viii) conducts a continuing 
                        survey of the educational needs, 
                        strengths, and weaknesses within the 
                        region, including a process of open 
                        hearings to solicit the views of 
                        schools and teachers; and
                    [(B) allocate the regional educational 
                laboratory's resources to and within each State 
                in a manner which reflects the need for 
                assistance, taking into account such factors as 
                the proportion of economically disadvantaged 
                students, the increased cost burden of service 
                delivery in areas of sparse populations, and 
                any special initiatives being undertaken by 
                State, intermediate, local educational 
                agencies, or Bureau-funded schools, as 
                appropriate, which may require special 
                assistance from the laboratory.
            [(2) Special rule.--If a regional educational 
        laboratory needs flexibility in order to meet the 
        requirements of paragraph (1)(A)(i), the regional 
        educational laboratory may select not more than 10 
        percent of the governing board from individuals outside 
        those representatives nominated in accordance with 
        paragraph (1)(A)(iii).
    [(i) Duties of Governing Board.--In order to improve the 
efficiency and effectiveness of the regional educational 
laboratories, the governing boards of the regional educational 
laboratories shall establish and maintain a network to--
            [(1) share information about the activities each 
        laboratory is carrying out;
            [(2) plan joint activities that would meet the 
        needs of multiple regions;
            [(3) create a strategic plan for the development of 
        activities undertaken by the laboratories to reduce 
        redundancy and increase collaboration and resource-
        sharing in such activities; and
            [(4) otherwise devise means by which the work of 
        the individual laboratories could serve national, as 
        well as regional, needs.
    [(j) Evaluations.--The Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
Commissioner shall provide for independent evaluations of each 
of the regional educational laboratories in carrying out the 
duties described in this section in the third year that such 
laboratory receives assistance under this section in accordance 
with the standards developed by the Evaluation and Regional 
Assistance Commissioner and approved by the Board and shall 
transmit the results of such evaluations to the relevant 
committees of Congress, the Board, and the appropriate regional 
educational laboratory governing board.]
    (d) Applications.--
            (1) Submission.--
                    (A) In general.--Each eligible applicant 
                desiring a contract grant, contract, or 
                cooperative agreement under this section shall 
                submit an application at such time, in such 
                manner, and containing such information as the 
                Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner 
                may reasonably require.
                    (B) Input.--To ensure that applications 
                submitted under this paragraph are reflective 
                of the needs of the regions to be served, each 
                eligible applicant submitting such an 
                application shall seek input from State 
                educational agencies and local educational 
                agencies in the region that the award will 
                serve, and other individuals with knowledge of 
                the region's needs.
            (2) Plan.--
                    (A) In general.--Each application submitted 
                under paragraph (1) shall contain a plan for 
                the activities of the regional educational 
                laboratory to be established under this 
                section, which shall be updated, modified, and 
                improved, as appropriate, on an ongoing basis, 
                including by using the results of the 
                laboratory's interim evaluation under 
                subsection (i)(3).
                    (B) Contents.--A plan described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall address--
                            (i) the priorities for applied 
                        research, development, evaluations, and 
                        wide dissemination established under 
                        section 207;
                            (ii) the needs of State educational 
                        agencies and local educational 
                        agencies, on an ongoing basis, using 
                        available State and local data; and
                            (iii) if available, demonstrated 
                        support from State educational agencies 
                        and local educational agencies in the 
                        region, such as letters of support or 
                        signed memoranda of understanding.
            (3) Non-federal support.--In conducting a 
        competition for grants, contracts, or cooperative 
        agreements under subsection (a), the Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance Commissioner shall give priority to 
        eligible applicants that will provide a portion of non-
        Federal funds to maximize support for activities of the 
        regional educational laboratories to be established 
        under this section.
    (e) Awarding Grants, Contracts, or Cooperative 
Agreements.--
            (1) Assurances.--In awarding grants, contracts, or 
        cooperative agreements under this section, the 
        Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall--
                    (A) make such an award for not more than a 
                5-year period;
                    (B) ensure that regional educational 
                laboratories established under this section 
                have strong and effective governance, 
                organization, management, and administration, 
                and employ qualified staff; and
                    (C) ensure that each such laboratory has 
                the flexibility to respond in a timely fashion 
                to the needs of the laboratory's region, 
                including--
                            (i) through using the results of 
                        the laboratory's interim evaluation 
                        under subsection (i)(3) to improve and 
                        modify the activities of the laboratory 
                        before the end of the award period; and
                            (ii) through sharing preliminary 
                        results of the laboratory's research, 
                        as appropriate, to increase the 
                        relevance and usefulness of the 
                        research.
            (2) Coordination.--To ensure coordination and 
        prevent unnecessary duplication of activities among the 
        regions, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
        Commissioner shall--
                    (A) share information about the activities 
                of each regional educational laboratory with 
                each other regional educational laboratory, the 
                Department, the Director, and the National 
                Board for Education Sciences;
                    (B) ensure, where appropriate, that the 
                activities of each regional educational 
                laboratory established under this section also 
                serve national interests;
                    (C) ensure each such regional educational 
                laboratory establishes strong partnerships 
                among practitioners, policymakers, researchers, 
                and others, so that such partnerships are 
                continued in the absence of Federal support; 
                and
                    (D) enable, where appropriate, for such a 
                laboratory to work in a region being served by 
                another laboratory or to carry out a project 
                that extends beyond the region served by the 
                laboratory.
            (3) Collaboration with technical assistance 
        providers.--Each regional educational laboratory 
        established under this section shall, on an ongoing 
        basis, coordinate its activities, collaborate, and 
        regularly exchange information with the comprehensive 
        centers (established in section 203) in the region in 
        which the center is located, and with comprehensive 
        centers located outside of its region, as appropriate.
            (4) Outreach.--In conducting competitions for 
        grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this 
        section, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
        Commissioner shall--
                    (A) by making information and technical 
                assistance relating to the competition widely 
                available, actively encourage eligible 
                applicants to compete for such an award; and
                    (B) seek input from the chief executive 
                officers of States, chief State school 
                officers, educators, parents, superintendents, 
                and other individuals with knowledge of the 
                needs of the regions to be served by the 
                awards, regarding--
                            (i) the needs in the regions for 
                        applied research, evaluation, 
                        development, and wide-dissemination 
                        activities authorized by this title; 
                        and
                            (ii) how such needs may be 
                        addressed most effectively.
            (5) Performance management.--Before the Evaluation 
        and Regional Assistance Commissioner awards a grant, 
        contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, 
        the Director shall establish measurable performance 
        indicators for assessing the ongoing progress and 
        performance of the regional educational laboratories 
        established with such awards that address the 
        requirements of the performance management system 
        described in section 185.
            (6) Standards.--The Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner shall adhere to the Institute's 
        system for technical and peer review under section 
        114(h) in reviewing the applied research activities and 
        research-based reports of the regional educational 
        laboratories.
            (7) Required consideration.--In determining whether 
        to award a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement 
        under this section--
                    (A) to an eligible applicant that 
                previously established a regional educational 
                laboratory under this section, the Evaluation 
                and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall--
                            (i) consider the results of such 
                        laboratory's summative evaluation under 
                        subsection (i)(2), or, if not 
                        available, any interim evaluation 
                        findings under subsection (i)(3); and
                            (ii) ensure that only such 
                        laboratories determined effective in 
                        their relevant interim or summative 
                        evaluations, as described in subsection 
                        (i), are eligible to receive a new 
                        grant, contract, or cooperative 
                        agreement; and
                    (B) to any eligible applicant, the 
                Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner 
                shall ensure that such applicant has--
                            (i) a history of effectiveness in 
                        conducting high-quality applied 
                        research; and
                            (ii) the capacity to meet the 
                        measurable performance indicators 
                        established under paragraph (5).
            (8) Flexibility in laboratory number.--
                    (A) Determination.--The Evaluation and 
                Regional Assistance Commissioner, in 
                consultation with the regional educational 
                laboratory advisory boards described in 
                subsection (h), may determine that establishing 
                10 regional educational laboratories is 
                unnecessary, as required in subsection (a), and 
                grant an alternative number of awards or 
                reorganize such laboratories, which may include 
                not basing the awards on the regions described 
                in subsection (b), if--
                            (i) an insufficient number of 
                        regional educational laboratories are 
                        meeting the needs of the regions 
                        described in subsection (b), as 
                        determined by the Commissioner;
                            (ii) an insufficient number of 
                        laboratories are meeting the measurable 
                        performance indicators established 
                        under paragraph (5), as determined by 
                        the Commissioner and the most recent 
                        interim or summative evaluation under 
                        subsection (i); or
                            (iii) an insufficient number of 
                        eligible applicants have the capacity 
                        to meet the measurable performance 
                        indicators established under paragraph 
                        (5), as determined by the Commissioner.
                    (B) Limitation.--If the Evaluation and 
                Regional Assistance Commissioner uses the 
                determination authority described in 
                subparagraph (A), there shall be no more than 
                10 regional educational laboratories 
                established.
    (f) Mission.--Each regional educational laboratory 
established under this section shall--
            (1) conduct applied research, development, data 
        analysis, and evaluation activities with State 
        educational agencies, local educational agencies, and, 
        as appropriate, schools funded by the Bureau;
            (2) widely disseminate such work, consistent with 
        section 114(j); and
            (3) develop the capacity of State educational 
        agencies, local educational agencies, and, as 
        appropriate, schools funded by the Bureau to carry out 
        the activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
    (g) Activities.--To carry out the mission described in 
subsection (f), each regional educational laboratory 
established under this section shall carry out the following 
activities:
            (1) Conduct, widely disseminate, and promote 
        utilization of applied research, development 
        activities, evaluations, data analysis, and other 
        scientifically valid research.
            (2) Develop and improve the plan for the laboratory 
        under subsection (d)(2) for serving the region of the 
        laboratory, and as appropriate, national needs, on an 
        ongoing basis, which shall include seeking input and 
        incorporating feedback from the representatives of 
        State educational agencies and local educational 
        agencies in the region, and other individuals with 
        knowledge of the region's needs.
            (3) Ensure research and related products are 
        relevant and responsive to the needs of the region.
    (h) Regional Educational Laboratory Advisory Board.--
            (1) Establishment.--Each regional educational 
        laboratory established under this section may establish 
        an advisory board that shall support the priorities of 
        such laboratory.
            (2) Duties.--Each advisory board established under 
        paragraph (1) shall advise the regional educational 
        laboratory--
                    (A) concerning the activities described in 
                subsection (g);
                    (B) on strategies for monitoring and 
                addressing the educational needs of the region, 
                on an ongoing basis, and as appropriate, 
                national needs;
                    (C) on maintaining a high standard of 
                quality in the performance of the laboratory's 
                activities, especially in meeting the 
                measurable performance indicators established 
                under subsection (e)(5);
                    (D) on carrying out the laboratory's duties 
                in a manner that promotes progress toward 
                improving student academic achievement;
                    (E) on the activities undertaken by the 
                comprehensive center in the region, other 
                centers, as appropriate, and other laboratories 
                to align the work of such entities, reduce 
                redundancy, and increase collaboration and 
                resource-sharing in such activities; and
                    (F) on joint activities with other 
                comprehensive centers or laboratories that 
                would meet the needs of multiple regions.
            (3) Composition.--
                    (A) In general.--Each advisory board 
                shall--
                            (i) not exceed 25 members;
                            (ii) include the chief State school 
                        officer, or such officer's designee, or 
                        other State official, of States within 
                        the region of the laboratory who have 
                        primary responsibility under State law 
                        for elementary and secondary education 
                        in the State;
                            (iii) include representatives of 
                        local educational agencies, including 
                        rural and urban local educational 
                        agencies, that represent the geographic 
                        diversity of the region;
                            (iv) include researchers; and
                            (v) include not less than 1 
                        representative from an advisory board 
                        of a comprehensive center serving the 
                        region, if applicable.
                    (B) Eligibility.--The membership of each 
                regional educational laboratory advisory board 
                may include the following:
                            (i) Representatives of institutions 
                        of higher education.
                            (ii) Parents.
                            (iii) Practicing educators, 
                        including classroom teachers, school 
                        leaders, administrators, school board 
                        members, and other local school 
                        officials.
                            (iv) Representatives of business.
                            (v) Policymakers.
            (4) Recommendations.--In choosing individuals for 
        membership on a regional educational laboratory 
        advisory board, the regional educational laboratory 
        shall consult with, and solicit recommendations from, 
        the Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner, 
        the chief executive officers of States, chief State 
        school officers, local educational agencies, and other 
        education stakeholders within the applicable region.
            (5) Special rule.--The total number of members on 
        each regional educational laboratory advisory board who 
        are selected under clauses (ii) and (iii) of paragraph 
        (3)(A), in the aggregate, shall exceed the total number 
        of members who are selected under paragraph (3)(B), 
        collectively.
    (i) Evaluations.--
            (1) In general.--The Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner shall--
                    (A) provide for ongoing summative and 
                interim evaluations described in paragraphs (2) 
                and (3), respectively, of each of the regional 
                educational laboratories established under this 
                section in carrying out the full range of 
                duties described in this section; and
                    (B) transmit the results of such 
                evaluations, through appropriate means, to the 
                appropriate congressional committees, the 
                Director, and the public.
            (2) Summative evaluations.--The Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance Commissioner shall ensure each 
        regional educational laboratory established under this 
        section is evaluated by an independent entity at the 
        end of the period of the grant, contract, or 
        cooperative agreement that established such laboratory, 
        and such evaluation shall--
                    (A) be completed in a timely fashion;
                    (B) assess how well the laboratory is 
                meeting the measurable performance indicators 
                established under subsection (e)(5); and
                    (C) consider the extent to which the 
                laboratory ensures that the activities of such 
                laboratory are relevant and useful to the work 
                of State and local practitioners and 
                policymakers.
            (3) Interim evaluations.--The Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance Commissioner shall ensure each 
        regional educational laboratory established under this 
        section is evaluated at the midpoint of the period of 
        the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement that 
        established such laboratory, and such evaluation 
        shall--
                    (A) assess how well such laboratory is 
                meeting the performance indicators described in 
                subsection (e)(5); and
                    (B) be used to improve the effectiveness of 
                such laboratory in carrying out its plan under 
                subsection (d)(2).
    (j) Continuation of Awards; Recompetition.--
            (1) Continuation of awards.--The Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance Commissioner shall continue awards 
        made to each eligible applicant for the support of 
        regional educational laboratories established under 
        this section prior to the date of enactment of the 
        Strengthening Education through Research Act, as such 
        awards were in effect on the day before the date of 
        enactment of such Act, for the duration of those 
        awards, in accordance with the terms and agreements of 
        such awards.
            (2) Recompetition.--Not later than the end of the 
        period of the awards described in paragraph (1), the 
        Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall--
                    (A) hold a competition to make grants, 
                contracts, or cooperative agreements under this 
                section to eligible applicants, which may 
                include eligible applicants that held awards 
                described in paragraph (1); and
                    (B) in determining whether to select an 
                eligible applicant that held an award described 
                in paragraph (1) for an award under 
                subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, consider 
                the results of the summative evaluation under 
                subsection (i)(2) of the laboratory established 
                with the eligible applicant's award described 
                in paragraph (1).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    [(l) Advance Payment System.--Each regional educational 
laboratory awarded a contract under this section shall 
participate in the advance payment system at the Department of 
Education.]
    [(m)](l) Additional Projects.--In addition to activities 
authorized under this section, the Director is authorized to 
enter into contracts or agreements with a regional educational 
laboratory for the purpose of carrying out additional projects 
to enable such regional educational laboratory to assist in 
efforts to achieve State and local education goals and for 
other purposes.
    [[(n)](m) Annual Report and Plan.--Not later than July 1 of 
each year, each regional educational laboratory awarded a 
contract under this section shall submit to the Evaluation and 
Regional Assistance Commissioner--
            [(1) a plan covering the succeeding fiscal year, in 
        which such laboratory's mission, activities, and scope 
        of work are described, including a general description 
        of the plans such laboratory expects to submit in the 
        remaining years of such laboratory's contract; and
            [(2) a report of how well such laboratory is 
        meeting the needs of the region, including a summary of 
        activities during the preceding year, a list of 
        entities served, a list of products, and any other 
        information that the regional educational laboratory 
        may consider relevant or the Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner may require.]
    (m) Annual Report.--Each regional educational laboratory 
established under this section shall submit to the Evaluation 
and Regional Assistance Commissioner an annual report 
containing such information as the Commissioner may require, 
but which shall include, at a minimum, the following:
            (1) A summary of the laboratory's activities and 
        products developed during the previous year.
            (2) A listing of the State educational agencies, 
        local educational agencies, and schools the laboratory 
        assisted during the previous year.
            (3) Using the measurable performance indicators 
        established under subsection (e)(5), a description of 
        how well the laboratory is meeting educational needs of 
        the region served by the laboratory.
            (4) Any changes to the laboratory's plan under 
        subsection (d)(2) to improve its activities in the 
        remaining years of the grant, contract, or cooperative 
        agreement.
    [(o)](n) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to require any modifications in a regional 
educational laboratory contract in effect on the day before the 
date of enactment of this Act.
    (o) Appropriations Reservation.--Of the amounts 
appropriated under section 194(a), the Evaluation and Regional 
Assistance Commissioner shall reserve 16.13 percent of such 
funds to carry out this section, of which the Commissioner 
shall use not less than 25 percent to serve rural areas 
(including schools funded by the Bureau which are located in 
rural areas).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

         PART E--NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION RESEARCH

SEC. 175. ESTABLISHMENT.

    (a) Establishment.--* * *
    (b) Mission.--The mission of the Special Education Research 
Center is--
            (1) to sponsor research to expand knowledge and 
        understanding of the needs of infants, toddlers, [and 
        children]children, and youth with disabilities in order 
        to improve the developmental, educational, and 
        transitional results of such individuals;
            (2) to sponsor research to improve services 
        provided under, and support the implementation of, the 
        Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
        1400 et seq.); [and]
            (3) to evaluate the implementation and 
        effectiveness of the Individuals with Disabilities 
        Education Act in coordination with the National Center 
        for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance[.];
            (4) to promote quality and integrity through the 
        use of accepted practices of scientific inquiry to 
        obtain knowledge and understanding of the validity of 
        education theories, practices, or conditions with 
        respect to special education research and evaluation 
        described in paragraphs (1) through (3); and
            (5) to promote scientifically valid research 
        findings in special education that may provide the 
        basis for improving academic instruction and lifelong 
        learning.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 176. COMMISSIONER FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION RESEARCH.

    The Special Education Research Center shall be headed by a 
Commissioner for Special Education Research (in this part 
referred to as the ``Special Education Research Commissioner'') 
who shall have substantial knowledge of the Special Education 
Research Center's activities, including a high level of 
expertise in the fields of research, research management, and 
the education of children and youth with disabilities.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 177. DUTIES.

    (a) General Duties.--The Special Education Research Center 
shall carry out research activities under this part consistent 
with the mission described in section 175(b), such as 
activities that--
            (1) improve services provided under the Individuals 
        with Disabilities Education Act in order to improve--
                    (A) academic achievement, functional 
                outcomes, and educational results for children 
                and youth with disabilities; and
                    (B) * * *
            (2) identify [scientifically based educational 
        practices]educational practices, including the use of 
        technology based on scientifically valid research, that 
        support learning and improve academic achievement, 
        functional outcomes, and educational results for all 
        students with disabilities;
            (3) * * *
            (4) identify [scientifically based] related 
        services and interventions that are based on 
        scientifically valid research and promote participation 
        and progress in the general education curriculum and 
        general education settings;
            (5) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (10) examine and improve secondary and 
        postsecondary education and transitional outcomes and 
        results for children with disabilities, including how 
        secondary school credentials are related to 
        postsecondary and employment outcomes;
            (11) examine the participation and outcomes of 
        students with disabilities in secondary and 
        postsecondary career and technical education programs;
            [(11)](12) * * *
            [(12)](13) * * *
            [(13)](14) improve the preparation and professional 
        development of personnel, including early intervention 
        personnel, who provide educational and related services 
        to children with disabilities to increase the academic 
        achievement and functional performance of students with 
        disabilities;
            [(14)](15) * * *
            [(15)](16) [help parents] examine the methods by 
        which parents may improve educational results for their 
        children, particularly related to transition issues;
            (17) assist the Board in the preparation and 
        dissemination of each evaluation report under section 
        116(d);
            [(16)](18) address the unique needs of children 
        with significant cognitive disabilities; [and]
            [[(17)](19) examine the special needs of limited 
        English proficient children with disabilities.]
            (19) examine the needs of children with 
        disabilities who are English learners, are gifted and 
        talented, or have other unique learning needs; and
            (20) examine innovations in the field of special 
        education, such as multi-tiered systems of support.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Plan.--The Special Education Research Commissioner 
shall propose to the Director a research plan for the 
activities of the Special Education Research Center, developed 
in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary for Special 
Education and Rehabilitative [Services, that--]Services, and, 
subject to the approval of the Director, implement the research 
plan. The research plan shall be a plan that--
            (1) is consistent with the priorities and mission 
        of the Institute and the mission of the Special 
        Education Research Center described in section 175(b);
            [(2) is carried out, updated, and modified, as 
        appropriate;]
            (2) is carried out, and, as appropriate, updated 
        and modified, including by using the results of the 
        Special Education Research Center's most recent 
        evaluation report under section 116(d);
            (3) provides for research that addresses 
        significant questions of practice where such research 
        is lacking;
            [(3)](4) * * *
            [(4)](5) contains an appropriate balance across all 
        age ranges [and types of children with], student 
        subgroups, and types of disabilities;
            (6) describes how the Special Education Research 
        Center will use the performance management system 
        described in section 185 to assess and improve the 
        activities of the Center; and
            [(5) provides for research that is objective and 
        uses measurable indicators to assess its progress and 
        results; and]
            [(6)](7) * * *
    (d) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the duties under 
        this section, the [Director]Special Education Research 
        Commissioner may award grants to, or enter into 
        contracts or cooperative agreements with, eligible 
        applicants.
            (2) Eligible applicants.-- * * *
            [(3) Applications.--An eligible applicant that 
        wishes to receive a grant, or enter into a contract or 
        cooperative agreement, under this section shall submit 
        an application to the Director at such time, in such 
        manner, and containing such information as the Director 
        may require.]
            (3) Applications.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible applicant that 
                wishes to receive a grant, or enter into a 
                contract or cooperative agreement, under this 
                section shall submit an application to the 
                Special Education Research Commissioner at such 
                time, in such manner, and containing such 
                information as the Special Education Research 
                Commissioner may require.
                    (B) Contents.--An application submitted 
                under subparagraph (A) shall describe how the 
                eligible applicant will address and demonstrate 
                progress on the requirements of the performance 
                management system described in section 185, 
                with respect to the activities that will be 
                carried out under such grant, contract, or 
                cooperative agreement.
            (4) Duration.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
        of law, the grants, contracts, and cooperative 
        agreements under this section may be awarded or entered 
        into, on a competitive basis, for a period of not more 
        than 5 years, and may be renewed at the discretion of 
        the Special Education Research Commissioner for an 
        additional period of not more than 2 years if the 
        recipient demonstrates progress on the requirements of 
        the performance management system described in section 
        185, with respect to the activities carried out under 
        the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement received 
        or entered into under this section.
    [(e) Dissemination.--The Special Education Research Center 
shall--
            [(1) synthesize and disseminate, through the 
        National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance, the findings and results of special 
        education research conducted or supported by the 
        Special Education Research Center; and
            [(2) assist the Director in the preparation of a 
        biennial report, as described in section 119.]
    (e) Dissemination.--The Special Education Research Center 
shall synthesize and, consistent with section 114(j), widely 
disseminate and promote utilization of the findings and results 
of special education research conducted or supported by the 
Special Education Research Center.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this [part such sums as may be 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010.]part--
            (1) for fiscal year 2015, $54,000,000;
            (2) for fiscal year 2016, $55,080,000;
            (3) for fiscal year 2017, $56,181,600;
            (4) for fiscal year 2018, $57,305,232;
            (5) for fiscal year 2019, $58,394,031; and
            (6) for fiscal year 2020, $66,151,452.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

PART F--GENERAL PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 182. PROHIBITIONS.

    (a) National Database.-- * * *
    (b) Federal Government and Use of Federal Funds.--Nothing 
in this title may be construed to authorize an officer or 
employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or 
control the curriculum, specific academic achievement or 
content standards or assessments, program of instruction, or 
allocation of State or local resources of a State, local 
educational agency, or school, or to mandate a State, or any 
subdivision thereof, to spend any funds or incur any costs not 
provided for under this title.
    (c) Endorsement of Curriculum.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of Federal law, no funds provided under this title to 
the Institute, including any office, board, committee, or 
center of the Institute, may be used by the Institute to 
endorse, approve, or sanction any curriculum designed to be 
used in [an elementary school or secondary school]early 
education, or in an elementary school, secondary school, or 
institution of higher education.
    (d) Federally Sponsored Testing.--
            (1) In general.-- * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 183. CONFIDENTIALITY.

    (a) In General.--* * *
    (b) Student Information.--The Director shall ensure that 
all individually identifiable information about students, their 
academic achievements, [their families, and information with 
respect to individual schools,]and their families shall remain 
confidential in accordance with section 552a of title 5, United 
States Code, the confidentiality standards of subsection (c) of 
this section, and sections 444 and 445 of the General Education 
Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g, 1232h), and that any disclosed 
information with respect to individual schools not reveal such 
individually identifiable information.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (d) Administration.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Disclosure.-- * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (2) Employee or staff violations.--Whoever, being 
        or having been an employee or staff member of the 
        Department, having taken or subscribed the oath of 
        office, or having sworn to observe the limitations 
        imposed by subsection (c)(2), knowingly publishes or 
        communicates any individually identifiable information 
        (as defined in paragraph (5)(A)), the disclosure of 
        which is prohibited by subsection (c)(2), and that 
        comes into such employee or staff's possession by 
        reason of employment (or otherwise providing services, 
        including voluntary and uncompensated services under 
        section 190) under this title, shall be found guilty of 
        a class E felony and imprisoned for not more than five 
        years, or fined as specified in section 3571 of title 
        18, United States Code, or both.
            (3) Temporary staff.-- * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (e) Investigation and Prosecution of Terrorism.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) 
        and (b), the Attorney General (or any Federal officer 
        or employee, in a position not lower than an Assistant 
        Attorney General, designated by the Attorney General) 
        may submit a written application to a court of 
        competent jurisdiction for an ex parte order requiring 
        the Secretary and Director to permit the Attorney 
        General (or his designee) to--
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 184. AVAILABILITY OF DATA.

    Subject to section 183, data collected by the Institute, 
including any office, board, committee, or center of the 
Institute, in carrying out the priorities and mission of the 
Institute, shall be made available to the public, including 
through [use of the Internet]electronic means, such as posting 
in an easily accessible manner on the Institute's website.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

[SEC. 185. [20 U.S.C. 9575] PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT.

    [The Director shall ensure that all activities conducted or 
supported by the Institute or a National Education Center make 
customer service a priority. The Director shall ensure a high 
level of customer satisfaction through the following methods:
            [(1) Establishing and improving feedback mechanisms 
        in order to anticipate customer needs.
            [(2) Disseminating information in a timely fashion 
        and in formats that are easily accessible and usable by 
        researchers, practitioners, and the general public.
            [(3) Utilizing the most modern technology and other 
        methods available, including arrangements to use data 
        collected electronically by States and local 
        educational agencies, to ensure the efficient 
        collection and timely distribution of information, 
        including data and reports.
            [(4) Establishing and measuring performance against 
        a set of indicators for the quality of data collected, 
        analyzed, and reported.
            [(5) Continuously improving management strategies 
        and practices.
            [(6) Making information available to the public in 
        an expeditious fashion.]

SEC. 185. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT.

    The Director shall establish a system for managing the 
performance of all activities authorized under this title to 
promote continuous improvement of the activities and to ensure 
the effective use of Federal funds by--
            (1) developing and using measurable performance 
        indicators, including timelines, to evaluate and 
        improve the effectiveness of the activities;
            (2) using the performance indicators described in 
        paragraph (1) to inform funding decisions, including 
        the awarding and continuation of all grants, contracts, 
        and cooperative agreements under this title;
            (3) establishing and improving formal feedback 
        mechanisms to--
                    (A) anticipate and meet stakeholder needs; 
                and
                    (B) incorporate, on an ongoing basis, the 
                feedback of such stakeholders into the 
                activities authorized under this title; and
            (4) promoting the wide dissemination and 
        utilization, consistent with section 114(j), of all 
        information, products, and publications of the 
        Institute.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 186. AUTHORITY TO PUBLISH.

    (a) Publication.--* * *
    (b) Advance Copies.--The Director shall provide the 
Secretary and other relevant offices with an advance copy of 
[any information to be published under this section before 
publication]any publication under this section before the 
public release of such publication.
    (c) Peer Review.-- * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 189. FELLOWSHIPS.

    In order to strengthen the national capacity to carry out 
high-quality research, evaluation, and statistics related to 
education and the mission of each National Education Center 
authorized under this title, the Director shall establish and 
maintain research, evaluation, and statistics fellowships in 
institutions of higher education (which may include the 
establishment of such fellowships in [historically Black 
colleges and universities]minority-serving institutions and 
other institutions of higher education with large numbers of 
minority students) that support graduate and postdoctoral study 
onsite at the Institute or at the institution of higher 
education. In establishing the fellowships, the Director shall 
ensure that women and minorities are actively recruited for 
participation.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 194. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    [(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
to administer and carry out this title (except section 174) 
$400,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and such sums as may be 
necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years, of which--
            [(1) not less than the amount provided to the 
        National Center for Education Statistics (as such 
        Center was in existence on the day before the date of 
        enactment of this Act) for fiscal year 2002 shall be 
        provided to the National Center for Education 
        Statistics, as authorized under part C; and
            [(2) not more than the lesser of 2 percent of such 
        funds or $1,000,000 shall be made available to carry 
        out section 116 (relating to the National Board for 
        Education Sciences).]
    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
administer and carry out this title (except part E)--
            (1) for fiscal year 2015, $337,343,000;
            (2) for fiscal year 2016, $344,089,860;
            (3) for fiscal year 2017, $350,971,657;
            (4) for fiscal year 2018, $357,991,090;
            (5) for fiscal year 2019, $364,792,921; and
            (6) for fiscal year 2020, $368,440,850.
    [(b) Regional Educational Laboratories.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 174 
$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and such sums as may be 
necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years. Of the 
amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence for a fiscal 
year, the Director shall obligate not less than 25 percent to 
carry out such purpose with respect to rural areas (including 
schools funded by the Bureau which are located in rural 
areas).]
    (b) Reservations.--Of the amounts appropriated under 
subsection (a) for each fiscal year--
            (1) not less than the amount provided to the 
        National Center for Education Statistics (as such 
        Center was in existence on the day before the date of 
        enactment of the Strengthening Education through 
        Research Act) for fiscal year 2014 shall be provided to 
        the National Center for Education Statistics, as 
        authorized under part C; and
            (2) not more than the lesser of 2 percent of such 
        appropriated amounts or $2,000,000 shall be made 
        available to carry out section 116 (relating to the 
        National Board for Education Sciences).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    Unless otherwise specified, in this Act:
            (1) Administration.-- * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (25) Scientifically based research.--The term 
        ``scientifically based research'' means research that 
        is carried out [using scientifically based research 
        standards, as defined in section 102]in accordance with 
        the principles of scientific research, as defined in 
        section 102 of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 
        2002 (20 U.S.C. 9501).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 9529. PROHIBITION ON FEDERALLY SPONSORED TESTING.

    (a) General Prohibition.-- * * *
    (b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to 
international comparative assessments developed under the 
authority of [section 153(a)(5)]section 153(a)(6) of the 
Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 and administered to only 
a representative sample of pupils in the United States and in 
foreign nations.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 681. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR SUBPARTS 2 AND 3.

    (a) Comprehensive Plan.--
            (1) In general.--After receiving input from 
        interested individuals with relevant expertise, the 
        Secretary shall develop and implement a comprehensive 
        plan for activities carried out under subparts 2 and 3 
        in order to enhance the provision of early intervention 
        services, educational services, related services, and 
        transitional services to children with disabilities 
        under parts B and C. To the extent practicable, the 
        plan shall be coordinated with the plan developed 
        pursuant to [section 178(c)]section 177(c) of the 
        Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 and shall include 
        mechanisms to address early intervention, educational, 
        related service and transitional needs identified by 
        State educational agencies in applications submitted 
        for State personnel development grants under subpart 1 
        and for grants under subparts 2 and 3.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) In general.--The terms ``local educational 
        agency'' and ``State educational agency'' have the 
        meanings given those terms in section 9101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) School leader.--The term ``school leader'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 102.
            [(2)](3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means 
        the Secretary of Education.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 203. COMPREHENSIVE CENTERS.

    [(a) Authorization.--
            [(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), 
        beginning in fiscal year 2004, the Secretary is 
        authorized to award not less than 20 grants to local 
        entities, or consortia of such entities, with 
        demonstrated expertise in providing technical 
        assistance and professional development in reading, 
        mathematics, science, and technology, especially to 
        low-performing schools and districts, to establish 
        comprehensive centers.
            [(2) Regions.--In awarding grants under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary--
                    [(A) shall ensure that not less than 1 
                comprehensive center is established in each of 
                the 10 geographic regions served by the 
                regional educational laboratories established 
                under section 941(h) of the Educational 
                Research, Development, Dissemination, and 
                Improvement Act of 1994 (as such provision 
                existed on the day before the date of enactment 
                of this Act); and
                    [(B) after meeting the requirements of 
                subparagraph (A), shall consider, in awarding 
                the remainder of the grants, the school-age 
                population, proportion of economically 
                disadvantaged students, the increased cost 
                burdens of service delivery in areas of sparse 
                population, and the number of schools 
                identified for school improvement (as described 
                in section 1116(b) of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                6316(b)) in the population served by the local 
                entity or consortium of such entities.]
    (a) Authorization.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3) and 
        except as provided in subsection (b)(5), the Secretary 
        shall award 17 grants, contracts, or cooperative 
        agreements to eligible applicants to establish 
        comprehensive centers.
            (2) Mission.--The mission of the comprehensive 
        centers is to provide State educational agencies and 
        local educational agencies technical assistance, 
        analysis, and training to build their capacity in 
        implementing the requirements of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et 
        seq.) and other Federal education laws, and research-
        based practices.
            (3) Regions.--In awarding grants, contracts, or 
        cooperative agreements under paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary--
                    (A) shall establish at least one 
                comprehensive center for each of the 10 
                geographic regions served by the regional 
                educational laboratories established under 
                section 941(h) of the Educational Research, 
                Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act 
                of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 6041(h)) (as such provision 
                existed on the day before the date of enactment 
                of this Act);
                    (B) may establish additional comprehensive 
                centers--
                            (i) for one or more of the regions 
                        described in subparagraph (A); or
                            (ii) to serve the Nation as a whole 
                        by providing technical assistance on a 
                        particular content area of importance 
                        to the Nation, as determined by the 
                        Secretary; and
                    (C) may make such arrangements as the 
                Secretary determines necessary to ensure that 
                the Bureau of Indian Education and States or 
                local educational agencies serving significant 
                numbers of American Indian, Alaska Native, or 
                Native Hawaiian students have access to 
                services provided under this section.
            (4) Nation.--In the case of a comprehensive center 
        established to serve the Nation as described in 
        paragraph (3)(B)(ii), the Nation shall be considered to 
        be a region served by such Center.
            (5) Award period.--A grant, contract, or 
        cooperative agreement under this section may be 
        awarded, on a competitive basis, for a period of not 
        more than 5 years.
            (6) Responsiveness.--The Secretary shall ensure 
        that each comprehensive center established under this 
        section has the ability to respond in a timely fashion 
        to the needs of State educational agencies and local 
        educational agencies, including through using the 
        results of the center's interim evaluation under 
        section 204(c), to improve and modify the activities of 
        the center before the end of the award period.
    (b) Eligible Applicants.--
            (1) In general.--Grants, contracts, or cooperative 
        agreements under this section may be made with 
        [research organizations, institutions, agencies, 
        institutions of higher education,]public or private, 
        nonprofit or for-profit research organizations, other 
        organizations, or institutions of higher education, or 
        partnerships among such entities[, or individuals,] 
        with the demonstrated ability or capacity to carry out 
        the activities described in [subsection (f)]subsection 
        (e)[, including regional entities that carried out 
        activities under the Educational Research, Development, 
        Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 (as such Act 
        existed on the day before the date of enactment of this 
        Act) and title XIII of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (as such title existed on the day 
        before the date of enactment of the No Child Left 
        Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110))].
            [(2) Outreach.--In conducting competitions for 
        grants under this section, the Secretary shall actively 
        encourage potential applicants to compete for such 
        awards by making widely available information and 
        technical assistance relating to the competition.
            [(3) Objectives and indicators.--Before awarding a 
        grant under this section, the Secretary shall design 
        specific objectives and measurable indicators, using 
        the results of the assessment conducted under section 
        206, to be used to assess the particular programs or 
        initiatives, and ongoing progress and performance, of 
        the regional entities, in order to ensure that the 
        educational needs of the region are being met and that 
        the latest and best research and proven practices are 
        being carried out as part of school improvement 
        efforts.]
            (2) Outreach.--In conducting competitions for 
        grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this 
        section, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) by making widely available information 
                and technical assistance relating to the 
                competition, actively encourage eligible 
                applicants to compete for such awards; and
                    (B) seek input from chief executive 
                officers of States, chief State school 
                officers, educators, parents, superintendents, 
                and other individuals with knowledge of the 
                needs of the regions to be served by the 
                awards, regarding--
                            (i) the needs in the regions for 
                        technical assistance authorized under 
                        this title; and
                            (ii) how such needs may be 
                        addressed most effectively.
            (3) Performance management.--Before awarding a 
        grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this 
        section, the Secretary shall establish measurable 
        performance indicators to be used to assess the ongoing 
        progress and performance of the comprehensive centers 
        to be established under this title that address 
        paragraphs (1) through (3) of the performance 
        management system described in section 185.
            (4) Required consideration.--In determining whether 
        to award or enter into a grant, contract, or 
        cooperative agreement under this section--
                    (A) to an eligible applicant that 
                previously established a comprehensive center 
                under this section, the Secretary shall--
                            (i) consider the results of such 
                        center's summative evaluation under 
                        section 204(b) or, if not available, 
                        any interim evaluation results under 
                        section 204(c); and
                            (ii) ensure that only centers 
                        determined effective in the centers' 
                        relevant interim or summative 
                        evaluations, as described in section 
                        204, are eligible to receive a new 
                        grant, contract, or cooperative 
                        agreement; and
                    (B) to any eligible applicant, the 
                Secretary shall ensure that such applicant 
                has--
                            (i) a history of effectiveness in 
                        providing high-quality technical 
                        assistance; and
                            (ii) the capacity to meet the 
                        measurable performance indicators 
                        established under paragraph (3).
            (5) Flexibility in comprehensive center number.--
                    (A) Determination.--The Secretary, in 
                consultation with the comprehensive center 
                advisory boards described in subsection (f), 
                may determine that establishing 17 
                comprehensive centers under this section is 
                unnecessary, as required in subsection (a)(1), 
                and grant an alternative number of awards or 
                reorganize such centers, which may include 
                organizing the centers around content area 
                instead of by the regions described in 
                subsection (a)(3), if--
                            (i) an insufficient number of such 
                        comprehensive centers are meeting the 
                        needs of the regions described in 
                        paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection 
                        (a), as determined by the Secretary;
                            (ii) an insufficient number of such 
                        comprehensive centers are meeting the 
                        measurable performance indicators 
                        established under paragraph (3), as 
                        determined by the Secretary and the 
                        most recent interim or summative 
                        evaluation under section 204; or
                            (iii) an insufficient number of 
                        eligible applicants have the capacity 
                        to meet the measurable performance 
                        indicators established under paragraph 
                        (3), as determined by the Secretary.
                    (B) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not 
                use the determination authority described in 
                subparagraph (A) to establish more than 17 
                comprehensive centers under this section.
            (6) Continuation of awards.--
                    (A) Continuation of awards.--The Secretary 
                shall continue awards made to each eligible 
                applicant for the support of comprehensive 
                centers established under this section prior to 
                the date of enactment of the Strengthening 
                Education through Research Act, as such awards 
                were in effect on the day before the date of 
                enactment of such Act, for the duration of 
                those awards, in accordance with the terms and 
                agreements of such awards.
                    (B) Recompetition.--Not later than the end 
                of the period of the awards described in 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall--
                            (i) hold a competition to make 
                        grants, contracts, or cooperative 
                        agreements under this section to 
                        eligible applicants, which may include 
                        eligible applicants that held awards 
                        described in subparagraph (A); and
                            (ii) in determining whether to 
                        select an eligible applicant that held 
                        an award described in subparagraph (A) 
                        for an award under clause (i) of this 
                        subparagraph, consider the results of 
                        the summative evaluation under section 
                        204(b) of the center established with 
                        the eligible applicant's award 
                        described in subparagraph (A).
            (7) Eligible applicant defined.--For purposes of 
        this section, the term ``eligible applicant'' means an 
        entity described in paragraph (1).
    [(c) Application.--
            [(1) Submission.--Each local entity, or consortium 
        of such entities, seeking a grant under this section 
        shall submit an application at such time, in such 
        manner, and containing such additional information as 
        the Secretary may reasonably require.
            [(2) Plan.--Each application submitted under 
        paragraph (1) shall contain a 5-year plan for carrying 
        out the activities described in this section in a 
        manner that addresses the priorities established under 
        section 207 and addresses the needs of all States (and 
        to the extent practicable, of local educational 
        agencies) within the region to be served by the 
        comprehensive center, on an ongoing basis.]
    (c) Applications.--
            (1) Submission.--
                    (A) In general.--Each eligible applicant 
                seeking a grant, contract, or cooperative 
                agreement under this section shall submit an 
                application at such time, in such manner, and 
                containing such additional information as the 
                Secretary may reasonably require.
                    (B) Input.--To ensure that applications 
                submitted under this paragraph are reflective 
                of the needs of the regions to be served, each 
                eligible applicant submitting such an 
                application shall seek input from--
                            (i) State educational agencies and 
                        local educational agencies in the 
                        region that the award will serve; and
                            (ii) other individuals with 
                        knowledge of the region's needs.
            (2) Plan.--
                    (A) In general.--Each application submitted 
                under paragraph (1) shall contain a plan for 
                the comprehensive center to be established 
                under this section, which shall be updated, 
                modified, and improved, as appropriate, on an 
                ongoing basis, including by using the results 
                of the center's interim evaluation under 
                section 204(c).
                    (B) Contents.--A plan described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall address--
                            (i) the priorities for technical 
                        assistance established under section 
                        207;
                            ``(ii) the needs of State 
                        educational agencies and local 
                        educational agencies, on an ongoing 
                        basis, using available State and local 
                        data, including how the needs of 
                        schools identified for improvement and 
                        schools and local educational agencies 
                        with a high percentage or number of 
                        low-income students will be prioritized 
                        and served; and
                            (iii) if available, demonstrated 
                        support from State educational agencies 
                        and local educational agencies, such as 
                        letters of support or signed memoranda 
                        of understanding.
            (3) Non-federal support.--In conducting a 
        competition for grants, contracts, or cooperative 
        agreements under subsection (a), the Secretary shall 
        give priority to eligible applicants that will provide 
        a portion of non-Federal funds to maximize support for 
        activities of the comprehensive centers to be 
        established under this section.
    (d) Allocation.--Each comprehensive center established 
under this section shall allocate such center's resources to 
and within each State in a manner which reflects the need for 
assistance, taking into account such factors as the proportion 
of economically disadvantaged students, the number of low-
performing schools in the region, the increased cost burden of 
service delivery in areas of sparse populations, and any 
special initiatives being undertaken by State, intermediate, 
local educational agencies, or Bureau-funded schools, as 
appropriate, which may require special assistance from the 
center.
    [(e) Scope of Work.--Each comprehensive center established 
under this section shall work with State educational agencies, 
local educational agencies, regional educational agencies, and 
schools in the region where such center is located on school 
improvement activities that take into account factors such as 
the proportion of economically disadvantaged students in the 
region, and give priority to--
            [(1) schools in the region with high percentages or 
        numbers of students from low-income families, as 
        determined under section 1113(a)(5) of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        6313(a)(5)), including such schools in rural and urban 
        areas, and schools receiving assistance under title I 
        of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.);
            [(2) local educational agencies in the region in 
        which high percentages or numbers of school-age 
        children are from low-income families, as determined 
        under section 1124(c)(1)(A) of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        6333(c)(1)(A)), including such local educational 
        agencies in rural and urban areas; and
            [(3) schools in the region that have been 
        identified for school improvement under section 1116(b) 
        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)).]
    [(f)](e) Activities.--
            (1) In general.--A comprehensive center established 
        under this section shall [support dissemination and 
        technical assistance activities by]support State 
        educational agencies and local educational agencies, 
        including by--
                    (A) providing training, professional 
                development, and technical assistance 
                regarding, at a minimum--
                            (i) the administration and 
                        implementation of programs under the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) and 
                        other Federal education laws;
                            (ii) the use of scientifically 
                        valid teaching methods [and assessment 
                        tools], assessment tools, and other 
                        educational strategies for use by 
                        teachers and administrators in, at a 
                        minimum--
                                    (I) the core academic 
                                subjects of [mathematics, 
                                science,]mathematics and 
                                science, which may include 
                                computer science or 
                                engineering, and reading or 
                                language arts;
                                    (II) * * *
                                    (III) education technology, 
                                including innovative tools and 
                                methods; and
                            [(iii) the facilitation of 
                        communication between education 
                        experts, school officials, teachers, 
                        parents, and librarians, as 
                        appropriate; and]
                            (iii) the replication and 
                        adaptation of exemplary practices and 
                        innovative methods that have an 
                        evidence base of effectiveness; and
                    (B) disseminating, consistent with section 
                114(j), and providing information, reports, and 
                publications that are usable for improving 
                academic achievement, closing achievement gaps, 
                and encouraging and sustaining school 
                improvement [(as described in section 1116(b) 
                of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b))), to schools, 
                educators, parents, and policymakers within the 
                region in which the center is located]; and
                    [(C) developing teacher and school leader 
                inservice and preservice training models that 
                illustrate best practices in the use of 
                technology in different content areas.]
                    (C) ensuring activities carried out under 
                this section are relevant and responsive to the 
                needs of the region being served.
            (2) Coordination and collaboration.--Each 
        comprehensive center established under this section 
        shall, on an ongoing basis, coordinate its activities, 
        collaborate, and regularly exchange information with 
        the regional educational laboratory in the region [in 
        which the center is located]served by the center or 
        other regional educational laboratories or 
        comprehensive centers, as appropriate, the National 
        Center for Education Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance, the Office of the Secretary, the State 
        service agency, and other technical assistance 
        providers in the region.
    (f) Comprehensive Center Advisory Board.--
            (1) Establishment.--Each comprehensive center 
        established under this section may establish an 
        advisory board that shall support the priorities of 
        such center.
            (2) Duties.--Each advisory board established under 
        paragraph (1) shall advise the comprehensive center--
                    (A) concerning the activities described in 
                subsection (e);
                    (B) on strategies for monitoring and 
                addressing the educational needs of the region 
                being served on an ongoing basis and, as 
                appropriate, national needs;
                    (C) on maintaining a high standard of 
                quality in the performance of the center's 
                activities, especially in meeting the 
                measurable performance indicators established 
                under subsection (b)(3);
                    (D) on carrying out the center's duties in 
                a manner that promotes progress toward 
                improving student academic achievement;
                    (E) on the activities undertaken by 
                regional educational laboratories of the region 
                being served, other regional educational 
                laboratories, as appropriate, and other 
                comprehensive centers to align the work of the 
                laboratories and centers, reduce redundancy, 
                and increase collaboration and resource-sharing 
                in such activities; and
                    (F) on joint activities, with other 
                comprehensive centers or regional educational 
                laboratories from other regions, that would 
                meet the needs of multiple regions.
            (3) Composition.--
                    (A) In general.--Each advisory board 
                shall--
                            (i) not exceed 25 members;
                            (ii) include the chief State school 
                        officer, or such officer's designee, or 
                        other State official, of States within 
                        the region served by the comprehensive 
                        center who have primary responsibility 
                        under State law for elementary and 
                        secondary education in the State;
                            (iii) include representatives of 
                        local educational agencies, including 
                        rural and urban local educational 
                        agencies, that represent the geographic 
                        diversity of the region;
                            (iv) include researchers; and
                            (v) include not less than 1 
                        representative from the advisory board 
                        of a regional educational laboratory in 
                        the region being served by the 
                        comprehensive center.
                    (B) Eligibility.--The membership of each 
                comprehensive center advisory board may include 
                the following:
                            (i) Representatives of institutions 
                        of higher education.
                            (ii) Parents.
                            (iii) Practicing educators, 
                        including classroom teachers, school 
                        leaders, administrators, school board 
                        members, and other local school 
                        officials.
                            (iv) Representatives of business.
                            (v) Policymakers.
            (4) Recommendations.--In choosing individuals for 
        membership on a comprehensive center advisory board, 
        the comprehensive center shall consult with, and 
        solicit recommendations from, the Secretary, chief 
        executive officers of States, chief State school 
        officers, local educational agencies, and other 
        education stakeholders within the applicable region.
            (5) Special rule.--The total number of members on 
        each board who are selected under clauses (ii) and 
        (iii) of paragraph (3)(A), in the aggregate, shall 
        exceed the total number of members who are selected 
        under paragraph (3)(B), collectively.
    (g) Report to the Secretary.--Each comprehensive center 
established under this section shall submit to the Secretary an 
annual report, at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require, which shall 
include the following:
            (1) A summary of the center's activities and 
        products developed during the previous year.
            (2) A listing of the State educational agencies, 
        local educational agencies, and schools the center 
        assisted during the previous year.
            (3) Using the measurable performance indicators 
        established under subsection (b)(3), a description of 
        how well the center is meeting educational needs of the 
        region served by the center.
            (4) Any changes to the center's plan under 
        subsection (c)(2) to improve its activities in the 
        remaining years of the grant, contract, or cooperative 
        agreement.
    [(g) Comprehensive Center Advisory Board.--
            [(1) Establishment.--Each comprehensive center 
        established under this section shall have an advisory 
        board that shall support the priorities of such center.
            [(2) Duties.--Each advisory board established under 
        paragraph (1) shall advise the comprehensive center--
                    [(A) concerning the activities described in 
                subsection (d);
                    [(B) on strategies for monitoring and 
                addressing the educational needs of the region, 
                on an ongoing basis;
                    [(C) on maintaining a high standard of 
                quality in the performance of the center's 
                activities; and
                    [(D) on carrying out the center's duties in 
                a manner that promotes progress toward 
                improving student academic achievement.
            [(3) Composition.--
                    [(A) In general.--Each advisory board shall 
                be composed of--
                            [(i) the chief State school 
                        officers, or such officers' designees 
                        or other State officials, in each State 
                        served by the comprehensive center who 
                        have primary responsibility under State 
                        law for elementary and secondary 
                        education in the State; and
                            [(ii) not more than 15 other 
                        members who are representative of the 
                        educational interests in the region 
                        served by the comprehensive center and 
                        are selected jointly by the officials 
                        specified in clause (i) and the chief 
                        executive officer of each State served 
                        by the comprehensive center, including 
                        the following:
                                    [(I) Representatives of 
                                local educational agencies and 
                                regional educational agencies, 
                                including representatives of 
                                local educational agencies 
                                serving urban and rural areas.
                                    [(II) Representatives of 
                                institutions of higher 
                                education.
                                    [(III) Parents.
                                    [(IV) Practicing educators, 
                                including classroom teachers, 
                                principals, and administrators.
                                    [(V) Representatives of 
                                business.
                                    [(VI) Policymakers, expert 
                                practitioners, and researchers 
                                with knowledge of, and 
                                experience using, the results 
                                of research, evaluation, and 
                                statistics.
                    [(B) Special rule.--In the case of a State 
                in which the chief executive officer has the 
                primary responsibility under State law for 
                elementary and secondary education in the 
                State, the chief executive officer shall 
                consult, to the extent permitted by State law, 
                with the State educational agency in selecting 
                additional members of the board under 
                subparagraph (A)(i).
    [(h) Report to Secretary.--Each comprehensive center 
established under this section shall submit to the Secretary an 
annual report, at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require, which shall 
include the following:
            [(1) A summary of the comprehensive center's 
        activities during the preceding year.
            [(2) A listing of the States, local educational 
        agencies, and schools the comprehensive center assisted 
        during the preceding year.]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

[SEC. 204. [20 U.S.C. 9603] EVALUATIONS.

    [The Secretary shall provide for ongoing independent 
evaluations by the National Center for Education Evaluation and 
Regional Assistance of the comprehensive centers receiving 
assistance under this title, the results of which shall be 
transmitted to the appropriate congressional committees and the 
Director of the Institute of Education Sciences. Such 
evaluations shall include an analysis of the services provided 
under this title, the extent to which each of the comprehensive 
centers meets the objectives of its respective plan, and 
whether such services meet the educational needs of State 
educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools 
in the region.]

SEC. 204. EVALUATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall--
            (1) provide for ongoing summative and interim 
        evaluations described in subsections (b) and (c), 
        respectively, of each of the comprehensive centers 
        established under this title in carrying out the full 
        range of duties of the center under this title; and
            (2) transmit the results of such evaluations, 
        through appropriate means, to the appropriate 
        congressional committees, the Director of the Institute 
        of Education Sciences, and the public.
    (b) Summative Evaluation.--The Secretary shall ensure each 
comprehensive center established under this title is evaluated 
by an independent entity at the end of the period of the grant, 
contract, or cooperative agreement that established such 
center, which shall--
            (1) be completed in a timely fashion;
            (2) assess how well the center is meeting the 
        measurable performance indicators established under 
        section 203(b)(3); and
            (3) consider the extent to which the center ensures 
        that the technical assistance of such center is 
        relevant and useful to the work of State and local 
        practitioners and policymakers.
    (c) Interim Evaluation.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
each comprehensive center established under this title is 
evaluated at the midpoint of the period of the grant, contract, 
or cooperative agreement that established such center, which 
shall--
            (1) assess how well such center is meeting the 
        measurable performance indicators established under 
        section 203(b)(3); and
            (2) be used to improve the effectiveness of such 
        center in carrying out its plan under section 
        203(c)(2).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 207. PRIORITIES.

    The Director and Secretary shall establish priorities for 
the regional educational laboratories (established under 
section 174 [of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002]) and 
comprehensive centers (established under section 203 [of this 
title]) [to address, taking onto account the regional 
assessments conducted under section 206 and other], 
respectively, using the results of [relevant regional surveys 
of educational needs, to the extent the Secretary deems 
appropriate]relevant regional and national surveys of 
educational needs.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 208. GRANT PROGRAM FOR STATEWIDE, LONGITUDINAL DATA SYSTEMS.

    (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to 
award grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational 
agencies to enable such agencies to design, develop, and 
implement statewide, longitudinal data systems to efficiently 
and accurately manage, analyze, disaggregate, and use 
individual student data, consistent with the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), and the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et 
seq.).
    State educational agencies receiving a grant under this 
section may provide subgrants to local educational agencies to 
improve the capacity of local educational agencies to carry out 
the activities authorized under this section.
    (b) Applications.-- * * *
    (c) Performance Management.--Before awarding a grant under 
this section, the Secretary shall establish measurable 
performance indicators--
            (1) to be used to assess the ongoing progress and 
        performance of State educational agencies receiving a 
        grant under this section; and
            (2) that address paragraphs (1) through (3) of the 
        performance management system described in section 185.
    [(c)](d) Awarding of Grants.--In awarding grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall use a peer review process that--
            (1) ensures technical quality (including validity 
        and reliability), [promotes linkages across States,] 
        and protects student privacy consistent with section 
        183;
            (2) promotes the generation and accurate and timely 
        use of data that supports school improvement and is 
        needed--
                    (A) for States and local educational 
                agencies to comply with the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 
                et seq.) [and other reporting requirements and 
                close achievement gaps; and]and other reporting 
                requirements, close achievement gaps, and 
                improve teaching and school leadership;
                    (B) to facilitate research to improve 
                student academic achievement [and close 
                achievement gaps; and], close achievement gaps, 
                and improve teaching and school leadership; and
                    (C) to align statewide, longitudinal data 
                systems from early education through 
                postsecondary education (including pre-service 
                preparation programs), and the workforce, 
                consistent with privacy protections under 
                section 183;
            [(3) gives priority to applications that meet the 
        voluntary standards and guidelines described in section 
        153(a)(5).]
            (3) ensures the protection of student privacy, and 
        includes a review of how State educational agencies, 
        local educational agencies, and others that will have 
        access to the statewide, longitudinal data systems 
        under this section will adhere to Federal privacy laws 
        and protections, consistent with section 183, in the 
        building, maintenance, and use of such data systems;
            (4) ensures State educational agencies receiving a 
        grant under this section support professional 
        development that builds the capacity of teachers and 
        school leaders to use data effectively; and
            (5) gives priority to State educational agencies 
        that leverage the use of statewide, longitudinal data 
        systems to improve student achievement and growth, 
        including such State educational agencies that--
                    (A) meet the voluntary standards and 
                guidelines described in section 153(a)(5);
                    (B) define the roles of State educational 
                agencies, local educational agencies, and 
                others in providing timely access to data under 
                the statewide, longitudinal data systems, 
                consistent with privacy protections in section 
                183; and
                    (C) demonstrate the capacity to share 
                teacher and school leader performance data, 
                including student achievement and growth data, 
                with local educational agencies and teacher and 
                school leader preparation programs.
    [(d)](e) Supplement Not Supplant.-- * * *
    (f) Renewal of Awards.--The Secretary may renew a grant 
awarded to a State educational agency under this section for a 
period not to exceed 3 years, if the State educational agency 
has demonstrated progress on the measurable performance 
indicators established under subsection (c).
    [[(e)](g) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002, 
and again 3 years after such date of enactment, the Secretary, 
in consultation with the National Academies Committee on 
National Statistics, shall make publicly available a report on 
the implementation and effectiveness of Federal, State, and 
local efforts related to the goals of this section, including--
            [(1) identifying and analyzing State practices 
        regarding the development and use of statewide, 
        longitudinal data systems;
            [(2) evaluating the ability of such systems to 
        manage individual student data consistent with the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), promote linkages across States, 
        and protect student privacy consistent with section 
        183; and
            [(3) identifying best practices and areas for 
        improvement.]
    (g) Reports.--
            (1) First report.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of the Strengthening Education 
        through Research Act, the Secretary shall prepare and 
        make publicly available a report on the implementation 
        and effectiveness of the activities carried out by 
        State educational agencies receiving a grant under this 
        section, including--
                    (A) information on progress in the 
                development and use of statewide, longitudinal 
                data systems described in this section;
                    (B) information on best practices and areas 
                for improvement in such development and use; 
                and
                    (C) how the State educational agencies are 
                adhering to Federal privacy laws and 
                protections in the building, maintenance, and 
                use of such data systems.
            (2) Succeeding reports.--Every succeeding 3 years 
        after the report is made publicly available under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prepare and make 
        publicly available a report on the implementation and 
        effectiveness of the activities carried out by State 
        educational agencies receiving a grant under this 
        section, including--
                    (A) information on the requirements of 
                subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); 
                and
                    (B) the progress, in the aggregate, State 
                educational agencies are making on the 
                measurable performance indicators established 
                under subsection (c).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

[SEC. 209. [20 U.S.C. 9608] AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    [There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
title $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and such sums as may be 
necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.]

SEC. 209. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
title--
            (1) for fiscal year 2015, $82,984,000;
            (2) for fiscal year 2016, $84,643,680;
            (3) for fiscal year 2017, $86,336,554;
            (4) for fiscal year 2018, $88,063,285;
            (5) for fiscal year 2019, $89,736,487; and
            (6) for fiscal year 2020, $90,633,852.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 302. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT GOVERNING BOARD.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the National 
Assessment Governing Board (hereafter in this title referred to 
as the ``Assessment Board''), which [shall formulate policy 
guidelines]shall oversee and set policies, in a manner 
consistent with subsection (e) and accepted professional 
standards, for the National Assessment (carried out under 
section 303).
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Appointment and composition.--The Assessment 
        Board shall be appointed by the Secretary and be 
        composed as follows:
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    (L) Two school [principals]leaders, of whom 
                one shall be an elementary school 
                [principal]leader and one shall be a secondary 
                school [principal]leader.
                    (M) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Terms.--
            (1) In general.-- * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            [(4) Conforming provision.--Members of the 
        Assessment Board previously granted 3 year terms, whose 
        terms are in effect on the date of enactment of the 
        Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2001, shall 
        have their terms extended by 1 year.]
    (d) Vacancies.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Organizations.--The Secretary shall 
                appoint new members to fill vacancies on the 
                Assessment Board from among individuals who are 
                nominated by the Assessment Board after 
                consultation with organizations representing 
                the type of individuals described in subsection 
                (b)(1) with respect to which the vacancy 
                exists.
                    (B) Nominations.--[Each organization 
                submitting nominations to the Secretary 
                with]With respect to a particular vacancy, the 
                Assessment Board shall nominate for such 
                vacancy six individuals who are qualified by 
                experience or training to fill the particular 
                Assessment Board vacancy.
                    (C) Maintenance of board.--* * *
            (2) Additional nominations.--The Secretary may 
        request [that each organization described in paragraph 
        (1)(A) submit additional nominations]additional 
        nominations from the Assessment Board or each 
        organization described in paragraph (1)(A) if the 
        Secretary determines that none of the individuals 
        nominated by [such organization]the Assessment Board 
        have appropriate knowledge or expertise.
    (e) Duties.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out its functions 
        under this section the Assessment Board shall--
                    (A) in consultation with the Commissioner 
                for Education Statistics, select the subject 
                areas and grades or ages to be assessed, and 
                determine the year in which such assessments 
                will be conducted (consistent with section 
                303(b));
                    (B) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    (D) develop a process for review of the 
                assessment which includes the active 
                participation of teachers, school leaders, 
                curriculum specialists, local school 
                administrators, parents, and concerned members 
                of the public;
                    (E) [design]provide input on the 
                methodology of the assessment to ensure that 
                assessment items are valid and reliable, in 
                consultation with appropriate technical experts 
                in measurement and assessment, content and 
                subject matter, sampling, and other technical 
                experts who engage in large scale surveys;
                    (F) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    (I) take appropriate actions needed to 
                improve the form, content, use, and reporting 
                of results of any assessment authorized by 
                section 303 consistent with the provisions of 
                this section and section 303; [and]
                    (J) provide input to the Director on annual 
                budget requests for the National Assessment of 
                Educational Progress; and
                    [(J)](K) [plan and execute the initial 
                public release of]release the initial National 
                Assessment of Educational Progress reports.
        The National Assessment of Educational Progress data 
        shall not be released prior to the release of the 
        reports described in [subparagraph (J)]subparagraph 
        (K).
            (2) Delegation.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 303. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.

    (a) Establishment.--The Commissioner for Education 
Statistics shall, [with the advice of the Assessment Board 
established under section 302]in a manner consistent with 
accepted professional standards and the policies set forth by 
the Assessment Board under section 302(a), carry out, through 
grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with one or more 
qualified organizations, or consortia thereof, a National 
Assessment of Educational Progress, which collectively refers 
to a national assessment, State assessments, and a long-term 
trend assessment in reading and mathematics.
    (b) Purpose; State Assessments.--
            (1) Purpose.--* * *
            (2) Measurement and reporting.--The Commissioner 
        for Education Statistics, in carrying out the 
        measurement and reporting described in paragraph (1), 
        shall--
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    (D) to the extent time and resources allow 
                and consistent with section 302(e)(1)(A), and 
                after the requirements described in 
                subparagraph (B) are implemented and the 
                requirements described in subparagraph (C) are 
                met, conduct additional national assessments 
                and collect and report assessment data, 
                including achievement data trends, in a valid 
                and reliable manner on student academic 
                achievement in grades 4, 8, and 12 in public 
                and private elementary schools and secondary 
                schools in regularly scheduled intervals in 
                additional subject matter, including writing, 
                science, history, geography, civics, economics, 
                foreign languages, and arts, and the trend 
                assessment described in subparagraph (F);

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    (G) include information on special groups, 
                including, whenever feasible, information 
                collected, cross tabulated, compared, and 
                reported by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic 
                status, gender, disability and [limited English 
                proficiency]English learner status; [and]
                    (H) ensure that achievement data are made 
                available on a timely basis following official 
                reporting, in a manner that facilitates further 
                analysis and that includes trend lines[.]; and
                    (I) determine, after taking into account 
                section 302(e)(1)(I), the content of initial 
                and subsequent reports of all assessments 
                authorized under this section and ensure that 
                such reports are valid and reliable.
            (3) State assessments.--
                    (A) In general.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (5) Requirement.--In carrying out any assessment 
        authorized under this section, the Commissioner for 
        Education Statistics, in a manner consistent with 
        subsection (c)(3), shall--
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    (C) collect information on race, ethnicity, 
                socioeconomic status, disability, [limited 
                English proficiency]English learner status, and 
                gender.
            (6) Technical assistance.--* * *
    (c) Access.--
            (1) Public access.--
                    (A) In general.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

            (2) Complaints.--
                    (A) In general.--* * *
                    (B) Forwarding of complaints.--The 
                Assessment Board shall forward such complaints 
                to the Commissioner for Education Statistics, 
                the Secretary [of Education], and the State and 
                local educational agency from within which the 
                complaint originated within 30 days of receipt 
                of such complaint.
                    (C) Review.--* * *
                    (D) Report.--The Secretary shall submit a 
                summary report of all complaints received 
                pursuant to subparagraph (A) and responses by 
                the Assessment Board pursuant to subparagraph 
                (C) to the [Chairman of the House] Committee on 
                Education and the Workforce of the House of 
                Representatives, and the [Chairman of the 
                Senate] Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
                and Pensions of the Senate.
                    (E) Cognitive questions.--
                            (i) In general.-- * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (d) Participation.--
            (1) Voluntary participation.--Participation in any 
        assessment authorized under this section shall be 
        voluntary for students, schools, and local educational 
        agencies, except as required under section 
        1112(b)(1)(F) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6312(b)(1)(F)).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (e) Student Achievement Levels.--
            (1) Achievement levels.--The Assessment Board shall 
        develop appropriate student achievement levels for each 
        grade [or age] in each subject area to be tested under 
        assessments authorized under this section, except the 
        trend assessment described in subsection (b)(2)(F).
            (2) Determination of levels.--
                    (A) In general.--Such levels [shall--
                            (i) be]shall be determined by--
                                    [(I)]
                            (i) identifying the knowledge that 
                        can be measured and verified 
                        objectively using widely accepted 
                        professional assessment standards; and
                                    [(II)]
                            (ii) developing achievement levels 
                        that are consistent with relevant 
                        widely accepted professional assessment 
                        standards and based on the appropriate 
                        level of subject matter knowledge for 
                        grade levels to be assessed[, or the 
                        age of the students, as the case may 
                        be].
                    (B) National consensus approach.--[After 
                the determinations described in subparagraph 
                (A), devising]The Assessment Board shall, in 
                making the determination described in 
                subparagraph (A), use a national consensus 
                approach, providing for the active 
                participation of teachers, school leaders, 
                curriculum specialists, local school 
                administrators, parents, and concerned members 
                of the general public.
                    (C) Trial basis.--* * *
                    (D) Status.--The Commissioner for Education 
                Statistics and the Assessment Board shall 
                ensure that reports using such levels on a 
                trial basis do so in a manner that makes clear 
                the status of such levels.
                    (E) Updates.--* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (g) Coverage Agreements.--
            (1) Department of defense schools.--* * *
            (2) Bureau of indian [affairs]education schools.--
        The Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior may 
        enter into an agreement, including such terms as are 
        mutually satisfactory, to include in the National 
        Assessment schools for Indian children operated or 
        supported by the Bureau of Indian [Affairs]Education.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 304. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            [(1) The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the Institute of Education Sciences.
            [(2) The term ``State'' means each of the 50 
        States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth 
        of Puerto Rico.]
            (1) In general.--The terms ``elementary school'', 
        ``local educational agency'', and ``secondary school'' 
        have the meanings given those terms in section 9101 of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 7801).
            (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the 
        Director of the Institute of Education Sciences.
            (3) School leader.--The term ``school leader'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 102.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of Education.
            (5) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 
        States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth 
        of Puerto Rico.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    [(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
            [(1) for fiscal year 2003--
                    [(A) $4,600,000 to carry out section 302, 
                as amended by section 401 of this Act (relating 
                to the National Assessment Governing Board); 
                and
                    [(B) $107,500,000 to carry out section 303, 
                as amended by section 401 of this Act (relating 
                to the National Assessment of Educational 
                Progress); and
            [(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the 
        5 succeeding fiscal years to carry out sections 302 and 
        303, as amended by section 401 of this Act.]
    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
            (1) for fiscal year 2015--
                    (A) $8,235,000 to carry out section 302 
                (relating to the National Assessment Governing 
                Board); and
                    (B) $132,000,000 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of 
                Educational Progress);
            (2) for fiscal year 2016--
                    (A) $8,399,700 to carry out section 302 
                (relating to the National Assessment Governing 
                Board); and
                    (B) $134,640,000 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of 
                Educational Progress);
            (3) for fiscal year 2017--
                    (A) $8,567,694 to carry out section 302 
                (relating to the National Assessment Governing 
                Board); and
                    (B) $137,332,800 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of 
                Educational Progress);
            (4) for fiscal year 2018--
                    (A) $8,739,048 to carry out section 302 
                (relating to the National Assessment Governing 
                Board); and
                    (B) $140,079,456 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of 
                Educational Progress);
            (5) for fiscal year 2019--
                    (A) $8,905,090 to carry out section 302 
                (relating to the National Assessment Governing 
                Board); and
                    (B) $142,740,966 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of 
                Educational Progress); and
            (6) for fiscal year 2020--
                    (A) $8,994,141 to carry out section 302 
                (relating to the National Assessment Governing 
                Board); and
                    (B) $144,168,376 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of 
                Educational Progress).
    (b) Availability.--Amounts made available under this 
section shall remain available until expended.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

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