H. R. 1804—85
SEC. 707. NATIONAL COOPERATIVE EDUCATION STATISTICS SYSTEM.
Subparagraph (A) of section 406(h)(2) of the General Education
Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1221e–1(h)(2)(A)) is amended—
(1) in clause (vi), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon;
and
(2) by adding after clause (vii) the following new clause:
‘‘(viii) school safety policy, and statistics on the
incidents of school violence; and’’.
SEC. 708. REPORTS.
(a) REPORT TO SECRETARY.—Each local educational agency that
receives funds under this title shall submit to the Secretary a
report not later than March 1, 1995, that describes progress
achieved in carrying out the plan described in section 704(b).
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate
a report not later than October 1, 1995, which shall contain a
detailed statement regarding grant awards, activities of grant
recipients, a compilation of statistical information submitted by
applicants under section 704(a), and an evaluation of programs
assisted under this title.
SEC. 709. COORDINATION OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.
The Secretary, as a member of the Coordinating Council on
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department
of Justice, shall coordinate the programs and activities carried
out under this title with the programs and activities carried out
by the departments and offices represented within the Council
that provide assistance under other Federal law for purposes that
are determined by the Secretary to be similar to the purpose of
this title, in order to avoid redundancy and coordinate Federal
assistance, research, and programs for youth violence prevention.
TITLE VIII—MINORITY-FOCUSED CIVICS
EDUCATION
SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Minority-Focused Civics Edu-
cation Act of 1994’’.
SEC. 802. PURPOSES.
It is the purpose of this title—
(1) to encourage improved instruction for minorities and
Native Americans in American government and civics through
a national program of accredited summer teacher training and
staff development seminars or institutes followed by academic
year inservice training programs conducted on college and
university campuses or other appropriate sites, for—
(A) social studies and other teachers responsible for
American history, government, and civics classes; and
(B) other educators who work with minority and Native
American youth; and
(2) through such improved instruction to improve minority
and Native American student knowledge and understanding
of the American system of government.
H. R. 1804—86
SEC. 803. GRANTS AUTHORIZED; AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA-
TIONS.
(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to make
grants to eligible entities for the development and implementa-
tion of seminars in American government and civics for
elementary and secondary school teachers and other educators
who work with minority and Native American students.
(2) AWARD
RULE.—In awarding grants under this title,
the Secretary shall ensure that there is wide geographic dis-
tribution of such grants.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized
to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal 1995, and such sums as
may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1996, 1997, and
1998, to carry out this title.
SEC. 804. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this title—
(1) the term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means a State educational
agency, an institution of higher education or a State higher
education agency, or a public or private nonprofit organization,
with experience in coordinating or conducting teacher training
seminars in American government and civics education, or a
consortium thereof; and
(2) the term ‘‘State higher education agency’’ means the
officer or agency primarily responsible for the State supervision
of higher education.
SEC. 805. APPLICATIONS.
(a) APPLICATION REQUIRED.—Each eligible entity desiring a
grant under this title shall submit an application to the Secretary,
at such time, in such manner and containing or accompanied by
such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
(b) CONTENTS
OF APPLICATION.—Each application submitted
pursuant to subsection (a) shall—
(1) define the learning objectives and course content of
each seminar to be held and describe the manner in which
seminar participants shall receive substantive academic
instruction in the principles, institutions and processes of Amer-
ican government;
(2) provide assurances that educators successfully partici-
pating in each seminar will qualify for either graduate credit
or professional development or advancement credit according
to the criteria established by a State or local educational agency;
(3) describe the manner in which seminar participants
shall receive exposure to a broad array of individuals who
are actively involved in the political process, including political
party representatives drawn equally from the major political
parties, as well as representatives of other organizations
involved in the political process;
(4) provide assurances that the seminars will be conducted
on a nonpartisan basis;
(5) describe the manner in which the seminars will address
the role of minorities or Native Americans in the American
political process, including such topics as—
(A) the history and current political state of minorities
or Native Americans;
H. R. 1804—87
(B) recent research on minority or Native American
political socialization patterns and cognitive learning styles;
and
(C) studies of political participation patterns of minori-
ties or Native Americans;
(6) describe the pedagogical elements for teachers that
will enable teachers to develop effective strategies and lesson
plans for teaching minorities or Native American students at
the elementary and secondary school levels;
(7) identify the eligible entities which will conduct the
seminars for which assistance is sought;
(8) in the case that the eligible entity is an institution
of higher education, describe the plans for collaborating with
national organizations in American government and civics edu-
cation;
(9) provide assurances that during the academic year edu-
cators participating in the summer seminars will provide
inservice training programs based upon what such educators
have learned and the curricular materials such educators have
developed or acquired for their peers in their school systems
with the approval and support of their school administrators;
and
(10) describe the activities or services for which assistance
is sought, including activities and services such as—
(A) development of seminar curricula;
(B) development and distribution of instructional mate-
rials;
(C) scholarships for participating teachers; and
(D) program assessment and evaluation.
(c) PRIORITY.—The Secretary, in approving applications for
assistance under this title, shall give priority to applications which
demonstrate that—
(1) the applicant will serve teachers who teach in schools
with a large number or concentration of economically disadvan-
taged students;
(2) the applicant has demonstrated national experience
in conducting or coordinating accredited summer seminars in
American government or civics education for elementary and
secondary school teachers;
(3) the applicant will coordinate or conduct seminars on
a national or multistate basis through a collaboration with
an institution of higher education, State higher education
agency or a public or private nonprofit organization, with
experience in coordinating or conducting teacher training pro-
grams in American government and civics education;
(4) the applicant will coordinate or conduct seminars
designed for more than one minority student population and
for Native Americans; and
(5) the applicant will coordinate or conduct seminars that
offer a combination of academic instruction in American govern-
ment, exposure to the practical workings of the political system,
and training in appropriate pedagogical techniques for working
with minority and Native American students.
H. R. 1804—88
TITLE IX—EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
AND IMPROVEMENT
SEC. 901. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Educational Research, Develop-
ment, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994’’.
SEC. 902. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows with respect to improving edu-
cation in the United States:
(1) A majority of public schools in the United States are
failing to prepare students to achieve the National Education
Goals. The Federal Government should support an extensive
program of educational research, development, dissemination,
replication and assistance to identify and support the best
responses for the challenges ahead. A significant investment
in attaining a deeper understanding of the processes of learning
and schooling and developing new ideas holds the best hope
of making a substantial difference to the lives of every student
in the United States. The Office of Educational Research and
Improvement within the Department of Education should be
at the center of this campaign in order to coordinate such
efforts.
(2) The Federal role in educational research has been
closely identified with youths who are socioeconomically dis-
advantaged, are minorities, belong to a language minority, or
have a disability. The Federal commitment to education was
sufficient to serve not more than—
(A) in 1993, 1 out of every 6 low-income children in
need of preschool education;
(B) in 1990, 3 out of every 5 children in need of remedi-
ation;
(C) in 1991, 1 out of every 5 children in need of bilin-
gual education; and
(D) in 1992, 1 out of every 20 youths eligible for assist-
ance under the Job Training Partnership Act.
(3) The failure of the Federal Government to adequately
invest in educational research and development has denied
the United States a sound foundation of knowledge on which
to design school improvements. The educational achievement
of minority children is of particular concern because at least
half of the public school students in 25 of the largest cities
of the United States are minority children, and demographers
project that, by the year 2005, almost all urban public school
students will be minority children or other children in poverty.
(4) The investment goal of the Federal research, develop-
ment, and dissemination function should be at least 1 percent
of the total amount of funds spent on education.
(5) Nationwide model programs and reliable interventions
should be demonstrated and replicated, and for such purposes,
programs should be established to conduct research and evalua-
tions, and to disseminate information.
(6) The Office should develop a national dissemination
policy that will advance the goal of placing a national treasure
chest of research results, models, and materials at the disposal
of the education decisionmakers of the United States.
H. R. 1804—89
(7) A National Educational Research Policy and Priorities
Board should be established to work collaboratively with the
Assistant Secretary to forge a national consensus with respect
to a long-term agenda for educational research, development,
dissemination, and the activities of the Office.
(8) Existing research and development entities should adopt
expanded, proactive roles and new institutions should be cre-
ated to promote knowledge development necessary to accelerate
the application of research findings to high priority areas.
(9) Greater use should be made of existing technologies
in efforts to improve the educational system of the United
States, including efforts to disseminate research findings.
(10) Minority educational researchers are inadequately
represented throughout the Department of Education, but
particularly in the Office. The Office therefore should assume
a leadership position in the recruitment, retention, and pro-
motion of qualified minority educational researchers.
(11) The coordination of the mission of the Office with
that of other components of the Department of Education is
critical. The Office should improve the coordination of the edu-
cational research, development, and dissemination function
with those of other Federal agencies.
PART A—GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING
THE OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
AND IMPROVEMENT
SEC. 911. REPEAL.
(a) REPEAL.—Section 405 of the General Education Provisions
Act (20 U.S.C. 1221e) is repealed.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The second sentence of section
209 of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C.
3419) is amended by inserting ‘‘and such functions as set forth
in the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and
Improvement Act of 1994’’ after ‘‘delegate’’.
SEC. 912. OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT.
(a) DECLARATION OF POLICY REGARDING EDUCATIONAL OPPOR-
TUNITY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Congress declares it to be the policy
of the United States to provide to every individual an equal
opportunity to receive an education of high quality regardless
of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, or
social class. Although the American educational system has
pursued this objective, it has not been attained. Inequalities
of opportunity to receive high quality education remain pro-
nounced. To achieve the goal of quality education requires
the continued pursuit of knowledge about education through
research, development, improvement activities, data collection,
synthesis, technical assistance, and information dissemination.
While the direction of American education remains primarily
the responsibility of State and local governments, the Federal
Government has a clear responsibility to provide leadership
in the conduct and support of scientific inquiry into the edu-
cational process.
(2) MISSION OF OFFICE.—
H. R. 1804—90
(A) The mission of the Office shall be to provide
national leadership in—
(i) expanding fundamental knowledge and under-
standing of education;
(ii) promoting excellence and equity in education;
and the achievement of the National Educational Goals
by spurring reform in the school systems of the United
States;
(iii) promoting the use and application of research
and development to improve practice in the classroom;
and
(iv) monitoring the state of education.
(B) The mission of the Office shall be accomplished
in collaboration with researchers, teachers, school adminis-
trators, parents, students, employers, and policymakers.
(b) PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE OF OFFICE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Office,
shall carry out the policies set forth in subsection (a). In carry-
ing out such policies, the Office shall be guided by the Research
Priorities Plan developed by the Assistant Secretary working
collaboratively with the Board and which has been approved
by the Board.
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE
STRUCTURE.—The Office shall be
administered by the Assistant Secretary and shall include—
(A) the National Educational Research Policy and
Priorities Board established by section 921;
(B) the national research institutes established by sec-
tion 931;
(C) the national education dissemination system estab-
lished by section 941;
(D) the National Center for Education Statistics; and
(E) such other units as the Secretary deems appro-
priate to carry out the purposes of the Office.
(3) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—
(A) OFFICE.—In fulfilling its purposes under this sec-
tion, the Office is authorized to—
(i) conduct and support education-related research
activities, including basic and applied research, devel-
opment, planning, surveys, assessments, evaluations,
investigations, experiments, and demonstrations of
national significance;
(ii) disseminate the findings of education research,
and provide technical assistance to apply such informa-
tion to specific problems at school sites;
(iii) collect, analyze, and disseminate data related
to education, and to library and information services;
(iv) promote the use of knowledge gained from
research and statistical findings in schools, other edu-
cational institutions, and communities;
(v) provide training in education research; and
(vi) promote the coordination of education research
and research support within the Federal Government,
and otherwise assist and foster such research.
(c) APPOINTMENT OF EMPLOYEES.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary may appoint,
for terms not to exceed three years (without regard to the
provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointment
H. R. 1804—91
in the competitive service) and may compensate (without regard
to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter
53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule
pay rates) such scientific or technical employees of the Office
as the Assistant Secretary considers necessary to accomplish
its functions, provided that—
(A) at least 30 days prior to the appointment of any
such employee, public notice is given of the availability
of such position and an opportunity is provided for qualified
individuals to apply and compete for such position;
(B) the rate of basic pay for such employees does not
exceed the maximum rate of basic pay payable for positions
at GS–15, as determined in accordance with section 5376
of title 5, United States Code;
(C) the appointment of such employee is necessary
to provide the Office with scientific or technical expertise
which could not otherwise be obtained by the Office through
the competitive service; and
(D) the total number of such employees does not exceed
one-fifth of the number of full-time, regular scientific or
professional employees of the Office.
(2) REAPPOINTMENT
OF
EMPLOYEES.—The Assistant Sec-
retary may reappoint employees described in paragraph (1)
upon presentation of a clear and convincing justification of
need, for one additional term not to exceed 3 years. All such
employees shall work on activities of the Office and shall not
be reassigned to other duties outside the Office during their
term.
(d) AUTHORITY TO PUBLISH.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary is authorized
to prepare and publish such information, reports, and docu-
ments as may be of value in carrying out the purposes of
this title without further clearance or approval by the Secretary
or any other office of the Department of Education.
(2) QUALITY ASSURANCE.—In carrying out such authority,
the Assistant Secretary shall—
(A) establish such procedures as may be necessary
to assure that all reports and publications issued by the
Office are of the highest quality; and
(B) provide other offices of the Department of Edu-
cation with an opportunity to comment upon any report
or publication prior to its publication when its contents
relate to matters for which such office has responsibility.
(e) BIENNIAL REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF OFFICE.—The Assistant
Secretary shall transmit to the President and the Congress by
not later than December 30 of every other year a report which
shall consist of—
(1) a description of the activities carried out by and through
each research institute during the fiscal years for which such
report is prepared and any recommendations and comments
regarding such activities as the Assistant Secretary considers
appropriate;
(2) a description of the activities carried out by and through
the national education dissemination system established by
section 941 during the fiscal years for which such report is
prepared and any recommendations and comments regarding
such activities as the Assistant Secretary considers appropriate;
H. R. 1804—92
(3) such written comments and recommendations as may
be submitted by the Board concerning the activities carried
out by and through each of the institutes and the national
education dissemination system during the fiscal years for
which such report is prepared;
(4) a description of the coordination activities undertaken
pursuant to subsection (g) during the fiscal years for which
such report is prepared;
(5) recommendations for legislative and administrative
changes necessary to improve the coordination of all educational
research, development, and dissemination activities carried out
within the Federal Government; and
(6) such additional comments, recommendations, and mate-
rials as the Assistant Secretary considers appropriate.
(f) RESEARCH PRIORITIES PLAN.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Working collaboratively with the Board,
the Assistant Secretary shall—
(A) survey and assess the state of knowledge in edu-
cation research, development and dissemination to identify
disciplines and areas of inquiry in which the state of knowl-
edge is insufficient and which warrant further investiga-
tion, taking into account the views of both education
researchers and practicing educators;
(B) consult with the National Education Goals Panel
and other authorities on education to identify national
priorities for the improvement of education;
(C) actively solicit recommendations from education
researchers, teachers, school administrators, cultural lead-
ers, parents, and others throughout the United States
through such means as periodic regional forums;
(D) provide recommendations for the development,
maintenance, and assurance of a strong infrastructure for
education, research, and development in the United States;
and
(E) on the basis of such recommendations, develop
a research priorities program which shall recommend prior-
ities for the investment of the resources of the Office over
the next 5-, 10-, and 15-year periods, including as priorities
those areas of inquiry in which further research, develop-
ment and dissemination—
(i) is necessary to attain the National Education
Goals;
(ii) promises to yield the greatest practical benefits
to teachers and other educators in terms of improving
education; and
(iii) will not be undertaken in sufficient scope or
intensity by the other Federal and non-Federal entities
engaged in education research and development.
(2) CONTENTS OF PLAN.—(A) The research and priorities
plan described in paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum—
(i) set forth specific objectives which can be expected
to be achieved as a result of a Federal investment in
the priorities set forth in the plan;
(ii) include recommendations with respect to research
and development on cross-cutting issues which should be
carried out jointly by 2 or more of the research institutes;
and
H. R. 1804—93
(iii) include an evaluative summary of the educational
research and development activities undertaken by the Fed-
eral Government during the preceding 2 fiscal years, which
shall describe—
(I) what has been learned as a result of such
activities;
(II) how such new knowledge or understanding
extends or otherwise relates to what had been pre-
viously known or understood;
(III) the implications of such new knowledge or
understanding for educational practice and school
reform; and
(IV) any development, reform, and other assistance
activities which have utilized such knowledge or under-
standing and the effects of such efforts.
(B) REPORT.—(i) Not later than 6 months after the first
meeting of the Board and by October 1 of every second year
thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall publish a report speci-
fying the proposed research priorities of the Office and allow
a 60-day period beginning on the date of the publication of
the report for public comment and suggestions.
(ii) Not later than 90 days after the expiration of the
60-day period referred to in clause (i), the Assistant Secretary
shall submit to the Board a report specifying the proposed
research priorities of the Office and any public comment and
suggestions obtained under such subparagraph for the Board’s
review and approval.
(g) COORDINATION.—With the advice and assistance of the
Board, the Assistant Secretary shall work cooperatively with the
Secretary and the other Assistant Secretaries of the Department
of Education to establish and maintain an ongoing program of
activities designed to improve the coordination of education
research, development, and dissemination and activities within such
Department and within the Federal Government to—
(1) minimize duplication in education research, develop-
ment, and dissemination carried out by the Federal Govern-
ment;
(2) maximize the value of the total Federal investment
in education research, development, and dissemination; and
(3) enable entities engaged in education research, develop-
ment, and dissemination within the Federal Government to
interact effectively as partners and take full advantage of the
diverse resources and proficiencies which each entity has
available.
(h) ACTIVITIES REQUIRED WITH RESPECT TO COORDINATION.—
In carrying out such program of coordination, the Assistant Sec-
retary shall compile (and thereafter regularly maintain) and make
available a comprehensive inventory of education research, develop-
ment, dissemination activities, and expenditures being carried out
by the Federal Government.
(i) STANDARDS
FOR
THE
CONDUCT
AND
EVALUATION
OF
RESEARCH.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In consultation with the Board, the
Assistant Secretary shall develop such standards as may be
necessary to govern the conduct and evaluation of all research,
development, and dissemination activities carried out by the
Office to assure that such activities meet the highest standards
H. R. 1804—94
of professional excellence. In developing such standards, the
Assistant Secretary shall review the procedures utilized by
the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Founda-
tion, and other Federal departments or agencies engaged in
research and development and shall also actively solicit rec-
ommendations from research organizations and members of
the general public.
(2) CONTENTS OF STANDARDS.—Such standards shall at a
minimum—
(A) require that a process of open competition be used
in awarding or entering into all grants, contracts, and
cooperative agreements under this title;
(B) require that a system of peer review be utilized
by the Office—
(i) for reviewing and evaluating all applications
for grants and cooperative agreements and bids for
those contracts which exceed $100,000;
(ii) for evaluating and assessing the performance
of all recipients of grants from and cooperative agree-
ments and contracts with the Office; and
(iii) for reviewing and designating exemplary and
promising programs in accordance with section 941(d);
(C) describe the general procedures which shall be
used by each peer review panel in its operations;
(D)(i) describe the procedures which shall be utilized
in evaluating applications for grants, proposed cooperative
agreements, and contract bids; and
(ii) specify the criteria and factors which shall be
considered in making such evaluations;
(E) describe the procedures which shall be utilized
in reviewing educational programs which have been identi-
fied by or submitted to the Secretary for evaluation in
accordance with section 941(d); and
(F) require that the performance of all recipients of
grants from and contracts and cooperative agreements with
the Office shall be periodically evaluated, both during and
at the conclusion of their receipt of assistance.
(3) PUBLICATION AND PROMULGATION OF STANDARDS.—
(A) The Assistant Secretary shall publish proposed
standards—
(i) which meet the requirements of subparagraphs
(A), (B), (C), and (D) of paragraph (2) not later than
1 year after the date of the enactment of this title;
(ii) which meet the requirements of paragraph
(2)(E) not later than 2 years after such date; and
(iii) which meet the requirements of subparagraph
(F) of paragraph (2) not later than 3 years after such
date.
(B) Following the publication of such proposed stand-
ards, the Assistant Secretary shall solicit comments from
interested members of the public with respect to such pro-
posed standards for a period of not more than 120 days.
After giving due consideration to any comments which
may have been received, the Assistant Secretary shall
transmit such standards to the Board for its review and
approval.
H. R. 1804—95
(C) Upon the approval of the Board, the Assistant
Secretary shall transmit final standards to the Secretary
which meet the requirements of the particular subpara-
graphs of paragraph (2) for which such standards were
developed. Such standards shall be binding upon all activi-
ties carried out with funds appropriated pursuant to sub-
section (m).
(j) ADDITIONAL
RESPONSIBILITIES
OF
THE
ASSISTANT
SEC-
RETARY.—In carrying out the activities and programs of the Office,
the Assistant Secretary—
(1) shall be guided by the Research Priorities Plan devel-
oped by the Assistant Secretary working collaboratively with
the Board and which has been approved by the Board;
(2) shall ensure that there is broad and regular public
and professional involvement from the educational field in the
planning and carrying out of the Office’s activities, including
establishing teacher advisory boards for any program office,
program or project of the Office as the Assistant Secretary
deems necessary and involving Indian and Alaska Native
researchers and educators in activities that relate to the edu-
cation of Indian and Alaska Native people;
(3) shall ensure that the selection of research topics and
the administration of the program are free from undue partisan
political influence;
(4) shall ensure that all statistics and other data collected
and reported by the Office shall be collected, cross-tabulated,
analyzed, and reported by sex within race or ethnicity and
socioeconomic status whenever feasible (and when such data
collection or analysis is not feasible, ensure that the relevant
report or document includes an explanation as to why such
data collection or analysis is not feasible);
(5) is authorized to administer funds to support a single
project when more than 1 Federal agency uses funds to support
such project, and the Assistant Secretary may act for all such
agencies in administering such funds; and
(6) is authorized to offer information and technical assist-
ance to State and local educational agencies, school boards,
and schools, including schools funded by the Bureau, to ensure
that no student is—
(A) denied access to the same rigorous, challenging
curriculum that such student’s peers are offered; or
(B) grouped or otherwise labeled in such a way that
may impede such student’s achievement.
(k) INDEPENDENT EVALUATIONS.—The Secretary shall enter into
one or more contracts for the conduct of an independent evaluation
of the effectiveness of the implementation of the provisions of this
title. Such evaluations shall be transmitted to the Congress, the
President, and the Assistant Secretary not later than 54 months
after the date of the enactment of this title.
(l) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this title, the following defini-
tions apply:
(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Assistant Secretary’’
means the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and
Improvement established by section 202 of the Department
of Education Organization Act.
(2) AT-RISK STUDENT.—The term ‘‘at-risk student’’ means
a student who, because of limited English proficiency, poverty,
H. R. 1804—96
race, geographic location, or economic disadvantage, faces a
greater risk of low educational achievement or reduced aca-
demic expectations.
(3) BOARD.—The term ‘‘Board’’ means the National Edu-
cational Research Policy and Priorities Board.
(4) DEVELOPMENT.—The term ‘‘development’’—
(A) means the systematic use, adaptation, and trans-
formation of knowledge and understanding gained from
research to create alternatives, policies, products, methods,
practices, or materials which can contribute to the improve-
ment of educational practice; and
(B) includes the design and development of prototypes
and the testing of such prototypes for the purposes of
establishing their feasibility, reliability, and cost-effective-
ness.
(5) DISSEMINATION.—The term ‘‘dissemination’’ means the
communication and transfer, through the provision of technical
assistance and other means, of the results of research and
proven practice in forms that are understandable, easily acces-
sible and usable or adaptable for use in the improvement of
educational practice by teachers, administrators, librarians,
other practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and the public.
(6) 
EDUCATIONAL
RESEARCH.—The 
term 
‘‘educational
research’’ includes basic and applied research, inquiry with
the purpose of applying tested knowledge gained to specific
educational settings and problems, development, planning, sur-
veys, assessments, evaluations, investigations, experiments,
and demonstrations in the field of education and other fields
relating to education.
(7) FIELD-INITIATED RESEARCH.—The term ‘‘field-initiated
research’’ means education research in which topics and meth-
ods of study are generated by investigators, including teachers
and other practitioners, not by the source of funding.
(8) NATIONAL
EDUCATION
DISSEMINATION
SYSTEM.—The
term ‘‘national education dissemination system’’ means the
activities carried out by the Office of Reform Assistance and
Dissemination established by section 941.
(9) OFFICE.—The term ‘‘Office’’, unless otherwise specified,
means the Office of Educational Research and Improvement
established in section 209 of the Department of Education
Organization Act.
(10) NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE.—The term ‘‘national
research institute’’ means an institute established in section
931.
(11) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The term ‘‘technical assist-
ance’’ means assistance in identifying, selecting, or designing
solutions based on research to address educational problems,
planning, and design that leads to adapting research knowledge
to school practice, training to implement such solutions, and
other assistance necessary to encourage adoption or application
of research.
(12) UNITED STATES; STATE.—The terms ‘‘United States’’
and ‘‘State’’ means each of the 50 States, the District of Colum-
bia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, Palau (until the effective date of the Compact
H. R. 1804—97
of Free Association with the Government of Palau), the Republic
of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
(m) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
(1) NATIONAL INSTITUTES.—
(A) For the purpose of carrying out section 931, there
is authorized to be appropriated $68,000,000 for fiscal year
1995.
(B)(i) For the purpose of carrying out the provisions
of section 931 relating to the National Institute on Student
Achievement, Curriculum, and Assessment and the
National Institute on the Education of At-Risk Students,
there are authorized to be appropriated $60,000,000 for
fiscal year 1996, and such sums as are necessary for each
of fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999.
(ii) Of the total amounts appropriated pursuant to
clause (i)—
(I) 50 percent shall be used by the Assistant Sec-
retary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions
of section 931 relating to the National Institute on
the Education of At-Risk Students; and
(II) 50 percent shall be used for the purpose of
carrying out the provisions of section 931 relating to
the National Institute on Student Achievement,
Curriculum, and Assessment.
(C) For the purpose of carrying out the provisions
of section 931 relating to the National Institute on Edu-
cational Governance, Finance, Policy-Making, and Manage-
ment, there are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000
for fiscal year 1996, and such sums as are necessary for
each of fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999.
(D) For the purpose of carrying out the provisions
of section 931 relating to the National Institute on Early
Childhood Development and Education, there are author-
ized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1996,
and such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years
1997, 1998, and 1999.
(E) For the purpose of carrying out the provisions
of section 931 relating to the National Institute on Post-
secondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning,
there are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for
fiscal year 1996, and such sums as are necessary for each
of fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999.
(F) COORDINATION AND SYNTHESIS.—The Assistant Sec-
retary is authorized to reserve not more than 10 percent
of the total amounts appropriated in any fiscal year pursu-
ant to subparagraphs (A) through (E) (but not more than
33 percent of the amount appropriated for any single
institute in any fiscal year) for the purposes of supporting
coordination and synthesis activities described in section
931(i) or to address other priorities which are consistent
with the Research Priorities Plan developed by the Assist-
ant Secretary and approved by the Board.
(2) NATIONAL EDUCATION DISSEMINATION SYSTEM.—
(A)(i) For the purpose of carrying out paragraph (2)
of subsection (b) and subsections (c) through (g) of section
941, there are authorized to be appropriated $23,000,000
H. R. 1804—98
for fiscal year 1995, and such sums as are necessary for
each of the fiscal years 1996 through 1999.
(ii) Of the amount appropriated under clause (i) for
any fiscal year, the Secretary shall make available not
less than $8,000,000 to carry out subsection (f) of section
941 (relating to Educational Resources Information Center
Clearinghouses).
(B) For the purpose of carrying out subsection (h) of
section 941 (relating to regional educational laboratories),
there are authorized to be appropriated $41,000,000 for
fiscal year 1995, and such sums as are necessary for each
of the fiscal years 1996 through 1999. Of the amounts
appropriated under the preceding sentence for a fiscal year,
the Secretary shall obligate not less than 25 percent to
carry out such purpose with respect to rural areas (includ-
ing schools funded by the Bureau which are located in
rural areas).
(C) For the purpose of carrying out subsection (j) of
section 941 (relating to the teacher research dissemination
demonstration program) there are authorized to be appro-
priated $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and such sums
as are necessary for each of the fiscal years 1996 through
1999.
(D) For the purpose of carrying out subsection (i) of
section 941 (relating to the Goals 2000 Community Partner-
ships program), there are authorized to be appropriated
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, $50,000,000 for fiscal year
1996, and such sums as are necessary for each of the
fiscal years 1997 and 1999.
(3) NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH POLICY AND PRIOR-
ITIES BOARD.—Of the amounts appropriated under paragraphs
(1) and (2) for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall make avail-
able 2 percent of such amounts, or $1,000,000, whichever is
less, for the purpose of supporting the activities and expenses
of the Board and the collaborative development of the Research
Priorities Plan by the Assistant Secretary and the Board.
(4) ALLOCATIONS FOR GRANTS, COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS,
AND CONTRACTS.—Of the amounts appropriated under para-
graph (1) or (2) for any fiscal year, not less than 95 percent
shall be expended to carry out the purposes described in such
paragraphs through grants, cooperative agreements, or con-
tracts.
(5) LIMITATIONS
ON
APPROPRIATIONS.—No amounts are
authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1) or (2) for
fiscal year 1996 or any fiscal year thereafter unless the Board
has been appointed in accordance with section 921.
(6) GRANT AUTHORIZED.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—From the amounts appropriated
pursuant to paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, the Secretary
is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this
paragraph, to award a grant of not more than $5,000,000
to a public or private institution, agency or organization
for a period not to exceed 5 years for the purpose of conduct-
ing a State-by-State poll to determine the perceptions of
recent graduates of secondary schools, their instructors
in institutions of higher education, parents of recent such
graduates, and employers of recent such graduates on how
H. R. 1804—99
well schools have prepared students for further education
or employment.
(B) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—The grant described in
subparagraph (A) shall be awarded on a competitive basis
and shall be matched on a two-to-one basis by the recipient.
SEC. 913. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND
IMPROVEMENT.
Subsection (b) of section 202 of the Department of Education
Organization Act is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(A) by striking subparagraph (E); and
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as
subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(3) There shall be in the Department an Assistant Secretary
for Educational Research and Improvement who shall be—
‘‘(A) appointed by the President, by and with the consent
of the Senate; and
‘‘(B) selected (giving due consideration to recommendations
from the National Educational Research Policy and Priorities
Board) from among individuals who—
‘‘(i) are distinguished educational researchers or
practitioners;
‘‘(ii) have proven management ability; and
‘‘(iii) have substantial knowledge of education within
the United States.’’.
SEC. 914. SAVINGS PROVISION.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, contracts for the
regional educational laboratories, Educational Resources Informa-
tion Center Clearinghouses and research and development centers
and regional educational laboratories assisted under section 405
of the General Education Provisions Act, as such section was in
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this title,
shall remain in effect until the termination date of such contracts.
SEC. 915. EXISTING GRANTS AND CONTRACTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
grants and contracts for the research and development centers
assisted under section 405 of the General Education Provisions
Act, as such section was in effect on the day before the date
of enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect until the termination
date of such grants or contracts, as the case may be, except that
such grants and contracts may be extended to implement the provi-
sions of this title.
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall use funds appropriated pursuant to section 912(m)(1).
PART B—NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
POLICY AND PRIORITIES BOARD
SEC. 921. ESTABLISHMENT 
WITHIN 
OFFICE 
OF 
EDUCATIONAL
RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established within the Office a
National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board.
H. R. 1804—100
(b) FUNCTIONS.—It shall be the responsibility of the Board
to—
(1) work collaboratively with the Assistant Secretary to
determine priorities that should guide the work of the Office
and provide guidance to the Congress in its oversight of the
Office;
(2) review and approve the Research Priorities Plan devel-
oped by the Assistant Secretary in collaboration with the Board;
(3) review and approve standards for the conduct and
evaluation of all research, development, and dissemination car-
ried out under the auspices of the Office pursuant to this
title; and
(4) review regularly, evaluate, and publicly comment upon,
the implementation of its recommended priorities and policies
by the Department and the Congress.
(c) ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD.—It shall also
be the responsibility of the Board to—
(1) provide advice and assistance to the Assistant Secretary
in carrying out the coordination activities described in section
912;
(2) make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary of
persons qualified to fulfill the responsibilities of the Director
of each research institute established by section 931 after mak-
ing special efforts to identify qualified women and minorities
and soliciting and giving due consideration to recommendations
from professional associations and interested members of the
public;
(3) advise and make recommendations to the President
with respect to individuals who are qualified to fulfill the
responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for the Office;
(4) review and comment upon proposed contract grant,
and cooperative agreement proposals in accordance with section
931(c)(4);
(5) advise the United States on the Federal educational
research and development effort;
(6) recommend ways for strengthening active partnerships
among researchers, educational practitioners, librarians, and
policymakers;
(7) recommend ways to strengthen interaction and
collaboration between the various program offices and compo-
nents;
(8) solicit advice and information from the educational field,
to define research needs and suggestions for research topics,
and shall involve educational practitioners, particularly teach-
ers, in this process;
(9) solicit advice from practitioners, policymakers, and
researchers, and recommend missions for the national research
centers assisted under this title by identifying topics which
require long-term, sustained, systematic, programmatic, and
integrated research and dissemination efforts;
(10) provide recommendations for translating research find-
ings into workable, adaptable models for use in policy and
in practice across different settings, and recommendations for
other forms of dissemination; and
(11) provide recommendations for creating incentives to
draw talented young people into the field of educational
H. R. 1804—101
research, including scholars from disadvantaged and minority
groups.
(d) STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES.—The Board may establish a
standing subcommittee for each of the Institutes established by
section 931 and for the Office of Reform Assistance and Dissemina-
tion established by section 941(b) which shall advise, assist, consult
with and make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary, the
Board, the Director of such entity and the Congress on matters
related to the activities carried out by and through such entities.
(e) POWERS OF THE BOARD.—In carrying out its functions, pow-
ers, and responsibilities, the Board—
(1) shall, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United
States Code, relating to the appointment and compensation
of officers or employees of the United States, appoint a director
to be paid at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable
for level V of the Executive Schedule who shall assist in carry-
ing out and managing the activities of the Board and perform
such other functions the Board determines to be necessary
and appropriate;
(2) shall utilize such additional staff as may be appointed
or assigned by the Assistant Secretary;
(3) may arrange for the detail of staff personnel and utilize
the services and facilities of any department or agency of the
Federal Government;
(4) may enter into contracts, or make other arrangements
as may be necessary to carry out its functions;
(5) shall participate in any public meetings or other activi-
ties carried out by the Assistant Secretary in the development
of the Research Priorities Plan;
(6) may review any grant, contract, or cooperative agree-
ment made or entered into by the Office;
(7) may, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, obtain
directly from any department or agency of the United States
such information as the Board deems necessary to carry out
its responsibilities;
(8) may convene workshops and conferences, collect data,
and establish subcommittees which may be composed of mem-
bers of the Board and nonmember consultants (including
employees of the Department of Education) with expertise in
the particular area addressed by such subcommittees; and
(9) shall establish such rules and procedures to govern
its operations as it considers appropriate, to the extent other-
wise permitted by law.
(f) MEMBERSHIP IN GENERAL.—
(1) QUALIFICATIONS.—The members of the Board shall be
individuals who, by virtue of their training, experience, and
background in educational research and the education profes-
sions, are exceptionally qualified to appraise the educational
research and development effort of the United States and to
fulfill the responsibilities described in subsections (b) and (c).
(2) BROAD REPRESENTATION.—Due consideration shall be
given to the gender, race, and ethnicity of appointees to assure
that the Board is broadly representative of the diversity of
the United States.
(3) LIMITATION.—A voting member of the Board may not
serve on any other governing or advisory board within the
H. R. 1804—102
Department of Education or as a paid consultant of such
Department.
(4) CONFLICT OF INTEREST.—A voting member of the Board
shall be considered a special Government employee for the
purposes of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
(g) SECRETARIAL APPOINTMENTS.—The Board shall consist of
15 members appointed by the Secretary. Of the members of the
Board—
(1) five shall be appointed from among researchers in the
field of education who have been nominated by the National
Academy of Sciences;
(2) five shall be outstanding school-based professional edu-
cators; and
(3) five shall be individuals who are knowledgeable about
the educational needs of the United States and may include
parents with experience in promoting parental involvement
in education, Chief State School Officers, local educational
agency superintendents, 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.
(h) REQUIREMENTS FOR NOMINATIONS BY THE NATIONAL ACAD-
EMY OF SCIENCES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—In making nominations for the members
of the Board described in subsection (g)(1), the National Acad-
emy of Sciences—
(A) shall give due consideration to recommendations
from research and education organizations;
(B) may not nominate any individual who is an elected
officer or employee of such organization; and
(C) shall nominate not less than 5 individuals for each
of the positions on the Board for which such organization
has responsibility for making nominations.
(2) REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS.—In the event
that the Secretary determines that none of the individuals
nominated by the National Academy of Sciences meets the
qualifications for membership on the Board specified in sub-
section (g), the Secretary may request that such organization
make additional nominations.
(i) NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP.—Prior to appointing
any member of the Board, the Secretary shall actively solicit and
give due consideration to recommendations from organizations such
as the National Education Association, the American Federation
of Teachers, the National Parent-Teachers Association, the Amer-
ican Library Association, the American Association of School
Administrators, the National Association of State Boards of Edu-
cation, the National Indian School Board Association, the Associa-
tion of Community Tribal Schools, the National Indian Education
Association, 
and 
other 
education-related 
organizations 
and
interested members of the public.
(j) EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.—The ex officio, nonvoting members
of the Board shall include the Assistant Secretary and may also
include—
(1) the Director of Research for the Department of Defense;
(2) the Director of Research for the Department of Labor;
(3) the Director of the National Science Foundation;
(4) the Director of the National Institutes of Health;
H. R. 1804—103
(5) the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts;
(6) the chair of the National Endowment for the Human-
ities;
(7) the Librarian of Congress; and
(8) the Director of the Office of Indian Education Programs
of the Department of the Interior.
(k) CHAIR.—The Board shall select a Chair from among its
appointed members who shall serve for a renewable term of 2
years.
(l) TERMS OF OFFICE.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraphs (2)
and (3), the term of office of each voting member of the Board
shall be 6 years.
(2) EXCEPTIONS.—(A) Any individual appointed to fill a
vacancy occurring on the Board prior to the expiration of the
term for which the predecessor of the individual was appointed
shall be appointed for the remainder of the term. A vacancy
shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appoint-
ment was made.
(B) The terms of office of the members of the Board who
first take office after the date of the enactment of this title
shall, as designated by a random selection process at the time
of appointment, be as follows:
(i) 3 years for each of 5 members of the Board.
(ii) 4 years for each of 5 members of the Board.
(iii) 6 years for each of 5 members of the Board.
(3) PROHIBITION
ON
CERTAIN
CONSECUTIVE
TERMS.—An
individual who has been a member of the Board for 12 consecu-
tive years shall thereafter be ineligible for appointment during
the 6-year period beginning on the date of the expiration of
the 12th year.
(4) PROHIBITION REGARDING REMOVAL.—The Secretary shall
neither remove nor encourage the departure of a member of
the Board before the expiration of such member’s term.
(m) MEETINGS OF BOARD.—
(1) INITIAL MEETING.—The Secretary shall ensure that the
first meeting of the Board is held not later than May 15,
1995.
(2) SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS.—The Board shall meet quar-
terly, at the call of the Chair, and when at least one-third
of the members of the Board make a written request to meet.
(3) QUORUM.—A majority of the Board shall constitute
a quorum.
(4) OPEN
MEETINGS.—The Government in the Sunshine
Act (5 U.S.C. 552b) shall apply to meetings of the Board.
PART C—NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES
SEC. 931. ESTABLISHMENT WITHIN THE OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL
RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF INSTITUTES.—In order to fulfill the
research and development purposes of the Office, and to carry
out a program of high-quality and rigorously evaluated research
and development that is capable of improving Federal, State, Indian
tribal, and local education policies and practices, there are estab-
lished within the Office the following Institutes: