I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4043
To establish a national leadership initiative to promote and coordinate knowl-
edge utilization in education, thereby increasing student achievement 
consistent with the objectives of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 25, 2004
Mr. HOLT (for himself, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Ms. 
WOOLSEY, and Mr. HINOJOSA) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To establish a national leadership initiative to promote and 
coordinate knowledge utilization in education, thereby in-
creasing student achievement consistent with the objec-
tives of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and 
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Knowledge Utilization 
in Education Act of 2004’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) Knowledge utilization allows information 
generated by scientifically valid research to be avail-
able to, and usable by, educators in the classroom. 
(2) Limited knowledge utilization has impeded 
the progress of schools in increasing academic 
achievement of students. 
(3) Research shows that student achievement 
increases when education practices based on scientif-
ically valid research are used by classroom teachers. 
(4) To facilitate the coordination and use of re-
search-based practices by classroom teachers, effec-
tive knowledge utilization is essential, including the 
development and use of products and strategies 
based on scientifically valid research. 
(5) The active involvement of teachers, prin-
cipals, district administrators, and chief State school 
officers in knowledge utilization activities is essential 
to the effective application of research-based knowl-
edge to policy and practice. 
(6) Although the No Child Left Behind Act of 
2001 (which amended the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et 
seq.)) requires educators to use instructional prac-
tices and innovations supported by scientifically valid 
research, such practices and innovations are in short
supply and not widely available and coordinated for 
use in classrooms. 
(7) Given that a significant percentage of public 
schools in the United States are not making ade-
quate yearly progress under the No Child Left Be-
hind Act of 2001, steps must be taken to coordinate 
the use of knowledge utilization by classroom edu-
cators. 
(8) Particular subgroups of students are not 
making adequate yearly progress, as defined by the 
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, including eco-
nomically disadvantaged students, students from 
major racial and ethnic groups, students with dis-
abilities, and students with limited English pro-
ficiency. Such students require targeted efforts to 
ensure that they are receiving instruction supported 
by scientifically valid research. 
(9) More instructional activities and practices 
supported by scientifically valid research need to be 
developed to meet the current and expected demands 
of educators in schools. 
(10) Although existing federal research, devel-
opment, dissemination, and technical assistance pro-
grams have been proven to be effective, these pro-
grams need to be brought to national scale and co-
ordinated through a national, knowledge utilization 
initiative. 
(11) Effective knowledge utilization in edu-
cation brings together the professional wisdom of 
practitioners and the best available empirical evi-
dence generated through scientifically valid research. 
(12) Too often exemplary innovations in teach-
ing, curriculum, and assessment are demonstrated to 
be effective, but have minimal impact because they 
are not brought to scale. 
(13) Educational practices that are supported 
by scientifically valid research need to be brought to 
greater scale in school districts across the country in 
order to have broad influence on student achieve-
ment. 
(14) National leadership is needed to provide 
targeted initiatives, collaboration, and coordination 
of knowledge utilization programs to ensure that 
classroom educators have access to, and utilize prac-
tices supported by, scientifically valid research. 
(15) A national leadership office intended to co-
ordinate Department of Education programs and 
promote knowledge utilization in education will fa-
cilitate the effective implementation of the No Child 
Left Behind Act of 2001.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP OFFICE FOR KNOWLEDGE 
UTILIZATION IN EDUCATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There shall be in the Depart-
ment of Education the National Leadership Office for 
Knowledge Utilization in Education (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Office’’), to be headed by a Director ap-
pointed under subsection (c). 
(b) DUTIES.—The duties of the Office shall be the 
following: 
(1) Promoting the use of scientifically valid re-
search in education practice and innovation. 
(2) Providing leadership to the Nation in devel-
oping and promoting policies, practices, and invest-
ments that result in the provision of instruction sup-
ported by scientifically valid research to elementary 
and secondary school students. 
(3) Developing and promoting policies, prac-
tices, and investments that result in bringing to 
scale successful educational practices that are based 
on scientifically valid research. 
(4) Informing the public about the significance 
of using scientifically valid research in education. 
(5) Encouraging the use of new technologies in 
appropriate knowledge utilization efforts. 
(6) Supporting the effective coordination of cur-
rent federally supported knowledge utilization pro-
grams, including regional educational laboratories, 
research and development centers, technical assist-
ance centers and consortia, national clearinghouses, 
and other entities involved in research, development, 
dissemination, technical assistance, and evaluation. 
(7) Administering the partnership established 
pursuant to subsection (e). 
(8) Producing the biennial report required by 
subsection (f). 
(9) Using the expertise of existing knowledge 
utilization programs to assist in the implementation 
of this section. 
(c) DIRECTOR; STAFF.—
(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Secretary of Edu-
cation shall appoint the Director of the Office. 
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Director of the Of-
fice shall be selected from among individuals who 
are experts in—
(A) knowledge utilization, including pro-
moting the effective implementation of the re-
sults of research in the classroom; and 
(B) managing large institutions or con-
sortia that conduct a broad array of research 
applications.
(3) DUTIES.—The Director of the Office 
shall—
(A) report directly to the Secretary; 
(B) be responsible for the duties of the Of-
fice described in subsection (b); and 
(C) perform such additional functions as 
the Secretary may prescribe. 
(4) COMPENSATION.—Section 5315 of title 5, 
United States Code, relating to level IV of the Exec-
utive Schedule, is amended by adding at the end of 
the list in such section the following new item: 
‘‘Director of the National Leadership Office for 
Knowledge Utilization in Education.’’. 
(5) STAFF.—The Director of the Office may se-
lect, appoint, and employ such officers and employ-
ees as may be necessary to carry out the functions 
of the Office, subject 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, relat-
ing to classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(d) INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—To promote coordina-
tion and cooperation among Federal departments 
and agencies administering knowledge utilization
programs and activities, the Director of the Office 
shall convene the Interagency Task Force on Knowl-
edge Utilization in Education (in this subsection re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’). 
(2) DUTIES.—The Task Force shall—
(A) identify and review Federal programs, 
activities, and projects with respect to knowl-
edge utilization in education (including any 
plans for 
such 
programs, 
activities, 
and 
projects); and 
(B) prepare, for inclusion in the biennial 
report under subsection (f), recommendations 
on ways to improve the coordination and col-
laboration of such programs, activities, and 
projects. 
(3) MEMBERSHIP.—The Task Force shall be 
composed of the following members: 
(A) The Director of the Institute of Edu-
cation Sciences. 
(B) The Director of the National Institute 
of Child Health and Human Development. 
(C) The Director of the National Science 
Foundation. 
(D) The Director of the Office.
(E) Such Assistant Secretaries and other 
officials from the Department of Education as 
the Secretary may designate. 
(F) Such other members as the President, 
the Secretary, or the Director of the Office may 
invite. 
(4) CHAIRPERSON.—The Director of the Office 
shall serve as the Chairperson of the Task Force. 
(5) TERMINATION.—The Task Force shall ter-
minate 2 years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, subject to renewal at the discretion of the 
Director of the Office. 
(e) KNOWLEDGE
UTILIZATION
PARTNERSHIP
IN 
EDUCATION.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the Of-
fice shall establish a network of private and public 
entities throughout the Nation, to be known as the 
Knowledge Utilization Partnership in Education (in 
this subsection referred to as the ‘‘Partnership’’). 
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Partnership 
is to promote and advance knowledge utilization in 
education in conjunction with private and public or-
ganizations and entities throughout the Nation. 
(3) DUTIES.—The Partnership shall—
(A) encourage private-public venture part-
nerships for knowledge utilization; 
(B) identify needs in relation to knowledge 
utilization programs, activities, and projects 
supported by the Federal Government; 
(C) provide general advice to the Office; 
and 
(D) provide ambassadors to the elementary 
and secondary education community to encour-
age the adoption of education practices sup-
ported by scientifically valid research. 
(4) ADVISORY PANEL.—
(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of 
the Office may establish a Partnership Advisory 
Panel (in this paragraph referred to as the 
‘‘Panel’’). 
(B) MEMBERSHIP.—The Director shall se-
lect the members of the Panel from among indi-
viduals who represent entities participating in 
the Partnership and have expertise in knowl-
edge utilization. 
(C) DUTIES.—The duties of the Panel 
shall be the following: 
(i) To provide advice to the Director 
regarding the opportunities and challenges
of promoting knowledge utilization activi-
ties at the local, State, and Federal levels 
through the Partnership. 
(ii) To offer suggestions to the Direc-
tor for promoting knowledge utilization 
policies and strategies in the future 
through the Partnership. 
(f) BIENNIAL REPORT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Office 
shall—
(A) conduct a biennial analysis of the state 
of knowledge utilization in education practice 
and innovation; and 
(B) submit a report on the results of each 
such analysis to the Committee on Education 
and the Workforce of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. 
(2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted under 
this subsection shall—
(A) include an assessment of efforts to in-
crease the use of education practices supported 
by scientifically valid research; 
(B) include the recommendations of the 
Interagency Task Force on Knowledge Utiliza-
tion in Education prepared pursuant to sub-
section (d)(2); and 
(C) recommend changes in policies to fur-
ther promote progress in knowledge utilization. 
(3) INITIAL REPORT.—The Director of the Of-
fice shall submit the first report under this sub-
section not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 4. GRANTS TO PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE UTILIZATION IN 
EDUCATION. 
(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Edu-
cation shall make competitive grants to, and enter into 
contracts with, eligible entities to support projects that 
promote knowledge utilization in education. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—The Secretary may not make 
a grant to an eligible entity under this section unless the 
entity agrees to use the grant for 1 or more of the fol-
lowing: 
(1) Helping educators become more informed 
consumers of research-based knowledge utilization 
programs and services through sustained profes-
sional development activities, including annual con-
ferences, summer teacher academies, on-line semi-
nars, and school-based workshops.
(2) Creating incentives for States and districts 
to expand and coordinate their investments in 
knowledge utilization initiatives. 
(3) Focusing special knowledge utilization ef-
forts on high-need, low-capacity areas such as rural 
schools. 
(4) Developing a national corps of regionally 
based research-to-practice coordinators to work in 
schools on the effective implementation, utilization, 
and dissemination of education practices supported 
by scientifically valid research. 
(5) Targeting efforts to classroom educators 
working with subgroups whose test scores indicate 
that they need improvement under the adequate 
yearly progress calculation required by section 
1111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311(b)(2)), includ-
ing economically disadvantaged students, students 
from major racial and ethnic groups, students with 
disabilities, and students with limited English pro-
ficiency. 
(6) Conducting research on knowledge utiliza-
tion. 
(7) Coordinating and enhancing existing feder-
ally supported knowledge utilization programs, in-
cluding regional educational laboratories, research 
and development centers, technical assistance cen-
ters and consortia, national clearinghouses, and 
other entities involved in research, development, dis-
semination, technical assistance, and evaluation. 
(8) Supporting efforts to identify and dissemi-
nate promising practices in the implementation of 
education innovation that are supported by scientif-
ically valid research. 
(9) Promoting entrepreneurship in developing 
new solutions, innovations, and choices in education 
for consumers that are supported by scientifically 
valid research. 
(10) Establishing fellowship programs to en-
courage expert capacity in knowledge utilization. 
(11) Using Internet-based technology to enable 
classroom teachers to access, in all content areas, in-
structional practice and innovation that are ground-
ed in scientifically valid research. 
(12) Developing means and methods for making 
the information from the What Works Clearinghouse 
and other clearinghouses available to, and accessible 
by, classroom teachers. 
(13) Developing strategies to support the use of 
scientifically valid research by classroom teachers
and school administrators in managing and improv-
ing student behavior and school climate. 
(c) APPLICATIONS.—To seek a grant or a contract 
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an appli-
cation to the Secretary at such time and in such manner 
as the Secretary may reasonably require. 
(d) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—In this section, the term 
‘‘eligible entity’’—
(1) means a private or public, for-profit or non-
profit organization, institution, agency, institution of 
higher education, or partnership of such entities, 
that has demonstrated expertise in knowledge utili-
zation in education; and 
(2) includes existing federally supported knowl-
edge utilization programs, such as regional edu-
cational laboratories, research and development cen-
ters, technical assistance centers and consortia, na-
tional clearinghouses, and other entities involved in 
research, development, dissemination, technical as-
sistance, and evaluation. 
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) APPLIED
RESEARCH.—The term ‘‘applied 
research’’ has the meaning given to that term in sec-
tion 102 of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 
2002 (20 U.S.C. 9501). 
(2) 
KNOWLEDGE
UTILIZATION.—The 
term 
‘‘knowledge utilization’’—
(A) means the interactive processes involv-
ing research, development, dissemination, tech-
nical assistance, and evaluation in which re-
search-based knowledge is applied to improving 
instructional practice; and 
(B) includes such activities essential to 
school improvement as—
(i) development and evaluation of 
practical applications of research, such as 
procedures, policies, practices, programs, 
materials, and training; 
(ii) the use of research-based technical 
assistance and professional development 
for policymakers, practitioners, and other 
stakeholders; 
(iii) collection and dissemination of in-
formation, data, and statistics; 
(iv) initiatives for building linkages 
among research, policy, and practice; and
(v) an infrastructure for increasing 
capacity for the use of research and its ap-
plications. 
(3) OFFICE.—The term ‘‘Office’’ means the 
National Leadership Office for Knowledge Utiliza-
tion in Education established by section 3. 
(4) SCIENTIFICALLY
VALID
RESEARCH.—The 
term ‘‘scientifically valid research’’ has the meaning 
given to that term in section 102 of the Education 
Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9501). 
(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Education. 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out this Act for each of fiscal 
years 2005 through 2008.
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