20 USC 9562 - Commissioner for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance

Collapse to view only § 9562. Commissioner for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance

§ 9561. Establishment
§ 9562. Commissioner for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance
§ 9563. Evaluations
§ 9564. Regional educational laboratories for research, development, dissemination, and technical assistance

§ 9561. Establishment

(a) Establishment

(b) Mission

The mission of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance shall be—

(1) to provide technical assistance;

(2) 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);

(3) to support synthesis and wide dissemination of results of evaluation, research, and products developed; and

(4) to encourage the use of scientifically valid education research and evaluation throughout the United States.

(Pub. L. 107–279, title I, § 171, Nov. 5, 2002, 116 Stat. 1962.)

§ 9562. Commissioner for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance

(a) In generalThe National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance shall be headed by a Commissioner for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (in this part referred to as the “Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner”) who is highly qualified and has demonstrated a capacity to carry out the mission of the Center and shall—

(1) conduct evaluations pursuant to section 9563 of this title;

(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;

(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 November 5, 2002);

(3) make such information accessible in a user-friendly, timely, and efficient manner (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 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), and other sources of digital information on education research;

(6) assist the Director in the preparation of a biennial report, described in section 9519 of this title; and

(7) award a contract for a prekindergarten through grade 12 mathematics and science teacher clearinghouse.

(b) Additional dutiesIn carrying out subsection (a), the Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall—

(1) ensure that 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 November 5, 2002);

(2) describe prominently the type of scientific evidence that is used to support the findings that are disseminated;

(3) explain clearly the scientifically appropriate and inappropriate uses of—

(A) the findings that are disseminated; and

(B) the types of evidence used to support those findings; and

(4) respond, as appropriate, to inquiries from schools, educators, parents, administrators, policymakers, researchers, public and private entities, and entities responsible for carrying out technical assistance.

(d) National Library of Education

(1) EstablishmentThere is established within the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance a National Library of Education that shall—

(A) be headed by an individual who is highly qualified in library science;

(B) collect and archive information;

(D) provide comprehensive reference services on matters related to education to employees of the Department of Education and its contractors and grantees, other Federal employees, and members of the public; and

(E) promote greater cooperation and resource sharing among providers and repositories of education information in the United States.

(2) InformationThe information collected and archived by the National Library of Education shall include—

(A) products and publications developed through, or supported by, the Institute; and

(B) other relevant and useful education-related research, statistics, and evaluation materials and other information, projects, and publications that are—

(i) consistent with—(I) scientifically valid research; or(II) the priorities and mission of the Institute; and

(ii) developed by the Department, other Federal agencies, or entities (including entities supported under subchapter II of this chapter 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 November 5, 2002))).1

1 So in original. The third closing parenthesis probably should not appear.

(Pub. L. 107–279, title I, § 172, Nov. 5, 2002, 116 Stat. 1962.)

§ 9563. Evaluations

(a) In general

(1) Requirements

In carrying out its missions, the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance may—

(A) conduct or support evaluations consistent with the Center’s mission as described in section 9561(b) of this title;

(B) evaluate programs under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 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) 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) establish evaluation methodology; and

(G) assist the Director in the preparation of the biennial report, as described in section 9519 of this title.

(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.

(b) Administration of evaluations under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

(Pub. L. 107–279, title I, § 173, Nov. 5, 2002, 116 Stat. 1964; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(ff)(2), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2174.)

§ 9564. Regional educational laboratories for research, development, dissemination, and technical assistance

(a) Regional educational laboratories

(b) Regions

(d) Applications

(1) Submission

(2) Plan

(e) Entering into contracts

(1) In generalIn 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) CoordinationIn 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) OutreachIn 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 subchapter 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

(5) Standards

(f) Central mission and primary functionEach 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 span, and technology-enabled pedagogy.

(g) ActivitiesEach 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

(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 generalIn 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 November 5, 2002;

(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

(i) Duties of governing boardIn 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

(k) Rule of construction

(l) Advance payment system

(m) Additional projects

(n) Annual report and planNot 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.

(o) Construction

(Pub. L. 107–279, title I, § 174, Nov. 5, 2002, 116 Stat. 1965.)