[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 227 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]

<DOC>
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 227

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
 To strengthen the Federal education research system to make research 
 and evaluations more timely and relevant to State and local needs in 
                 order to increase student achievement.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening Education through 
Research Act''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Nonduplication.
                   TITLE I--EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM

Sec. 101. References.
Sec. 102. Definitions.
              Part A--The Institute of Education Sciences

Sec. 111. Establishment.
Sec. 112. Functions.
Sec. 113. Delegation.
Sec. 114. Office of the Director.
Sec. 115. Priorities.
Sec. 116. National Board for Education Sciences.
Sec. 117. Commissioners of the National Education Centers.
Sec. 118. Transparency.
Sec. 119. Competitive awards.
             Part B--National Center for Education Research

Sec. 131. Establishment.
Sec. 132. Duties.
Sec. 133. Standards for conduct and evaluation of research.
            Part C--National Center for Education Statistics

Sec. 151. Establishment.
Sec. 152. Duties.
Sec. 153. Performance of duties.
Sec. 154. Reports.
Sec. 155. Dissemination.
Sec. 156. Cooperative education statistics partnerships.
     Part D--National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional 
                               Assistance

Sec. 171. Establishment.
Sec. 172. Commissioner for Education Evaluation and Regional 
                            Assistance.
Sec. 173. Evaluations.
Sec. 174. Regional educational laboratories for research, development, 
                            dissemination, and evaluation.
         Part E--National Center for Special Education Research

Sec. 175. Establishment.
Sec. 176. Commissioner for Special Education Research.
Sec. 177. Duties.
                       Part F--General Provisions

Sec. 181. Prohibitions.
Sec. 182. Confidentiality.
Sec. 183. Availability of data.
Sec. 184. Performance management.
Sec. 185. Authority to publish.
Sec. 186. Repeals.
Sec. 187. Fellowships.
Sec. 188. Authorization of appropriations.
              Part G--Technical and Conforming Amendments

Sec. 191. Technical and conforming amendments to other laws.
               TITLE II--EDUCATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Sec. 201. References.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Sec. 203. Comprehensive centers.
Sec. 204. Evaluations.
Sec. 205. Existing technical assistance providers.
Sec. 206. Regional advisory committees.
Sec. 207. Priorities.
Sec. 208. Grant program for statewide, longitudinal data systems.
Sec. 209. Authorization of appropriations.
         TITLE III--NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

Sec. 301. References.
Sec. 302. National Assessment Governing Board.
Sec. 303. National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Sec. 304. Definitions.
Sec. 305. Authorization of appropriations.
                       TITLE IV--EVALUATION PLAN

Sec. 401. Research and evaluation.

SEC. 3. NONDUPLICATION.

    (a) In General.--The Act of November 5, 2002 (Public Law 107-279; 
116 Stat. 1940), is amended by inserting after section 1 the following:

``SEC. 2. NONDUPLICATION.

    ``In collecting information and data under this Act, including 
requiring the reporting of information and data, the Secretary of 
Education shall, to the extent appropriate, not duplicate other 
requirements and shall use information and data that are available from 
existing Federal, State, and local sources, in order to reduce burden 
and cost to the Department of Education, States, local educational 
agencies (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)), and other entities.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of 
the Act of November 5, 2002 (Public Law 107-279; 116 Stat. 1940), is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1 the 
following:

``Sec. 2. Nonduplication.''.

                   TITLE I--EDUCATION SCIENCES REFORM

SEC. 101. REFERENCES.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this title an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of the Education Sciences 
Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9501 et seq.).

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 102 (20 U.S.C. 9501) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (13) and (18);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (11), (12), 
        (14), (15), (16), (17), and (19) through (23), as paragraphs 
        (3) through (12), (14), (15), (16), (18), (20), and (22) 
        through (26), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Adult education; adult education and literacy 
        activities.--The terms `adult education' and `adult education 
        and literacy activities' have the meanings given the terms in 
        section 203 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act.'';
            (4) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
        striking ``Affairs'' and inserting ``Education'';
            (5) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or other information, in a 
                timely manner and'' after ``evaluations,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``school leaders,'' after 
                ``teachers,'';
            (6) by inserting after paragraph (12), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), the following:
            ``(13) English learner.--The term `English learner' means 
        an individual who is limited English proficient, as defined in 
        section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) or section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 
        U.S.C. 9832).'';
            (7) in paragraph (14), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
        inserting ``, school leaders,'' after ``teachers'';
            (8) by inserting after paragraph (16), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), the following:
            ``(17) Minority-serving institution.--The term `minority-
        serving institution' means an institution of higher education 
        described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).'';
            (9) in paragraph (18), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
        striking ``section 133(c)'' and inserting ``section 133(d)'';
            (10) by inserting after paragraph (18), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), the following:
            ``(19) Principles of scientific research.--The term 
        `principles of scientific research' means principles of 
        research that--
                    ``(A) apply rigorous, systematic, and objective 
                methodology to obtain reliable and valid knowledge 
                relevant to education activities and programs;
                    ``(B) present findings and make claims that are 
                appropriate to, and supported by, the methods that have 
                been employed; and
                    ``(C) include, appropriate to the research being 
                conducted--
                            ``(i) use of systematic, empirical methods 
                        that draw on observation or experiment;
                            ``(ii) use of data analyses that are 
                        adequate to support the general findings;
                            ``(iii) reliance on measurements or 
                        observational methods that provide reliable and 
                        generalizable findings;
                            ``(iv) strong claims of causal 
                        relationships, only with research designs that 
                        eliminate plausible competing explanations for 
                        observed results, such as, but not limited to, 
                        random-assignment experiments;
                            ``(v) presentation of studies and methods 
                        in sufficient detail and clarity to allow for 
                        replication or, at a minimum, to offer the 
                        opportunity to build systematically on the 
                        findings of the research;
                            ``(vi) acceptance by a peer-reviewed 
                        journal or critique by a panel of independent 
                        experts through a comparably rigorous, 
                        objective, and scientific review; and
                            ``(vii) consistency of findings across 
                        multiple studies or sites to support the 
                        generality of results and conclusions.'';
            (11) by inserting after paragraph (20), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), the following:
            ``(21) School leader.--The term `school leader' means a 
        principal, assistant principal, or other individual who is--
                    ``(A) an employee or officer of--
                            ``(i) an elementary school or secondary 
                        school;
                            ``(ii) a local educational agency serving 
                        an elementary school or secondary school; or
                            ``(iii) another entity operating the 
                        elementary school or secondary school; and
                    ``(B) responsible for the daily instructional 
                leadership and managerial operations of the elementary 
                school or secondary school.''; and
            (12) in paragraph (23), as redesignated by paragraph (2), 
        by striking ``scientifically based research standards'' and 
        inserting ``the principles of scientific research''.

              PART A--THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

SEC. 111. ESTABLISHMENT.

    Section 111(b) (20 U.S.C. 9511(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
        (A), by inserting ``including adult education,'' after 
        ``postsecondary study,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``and wide dissemination 
                        activities'' and inserting ``and, consistent 
                        with section 114(j), wide dissemination and 
                        utilization activities''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``(including in technology 
                        areas)''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
                ``disability,'' after ``gender,''.

SEC. 112. FUNCTIONS.

    Section 112 (20 U.S.C. 9512) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(including evaluations of impact 
                and implementation)'' after ``education evaluation''; 
                and
                    (B) by inserting ``and utilization'' before the 
                semicolon; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by inserting ``, consistent with section 
                114(j),'' after ``disseminate''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and scientifically valid 
                education evaluations carried out under this title'' 
                before the semicolon.

SEC. 113. DELEGATION.

    Section 113 (20 U.S.C. 9513) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1); and
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as 
                paragraphs (1) through (4), respectively;
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``Secretary may assign 
        the Institute responsibility for administering'' and inserting 
        ``Director may accept requests from the Secretary for the 
        Institute to administer''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Contract Acquisition.--With respect to any contract entered 
into under this title, the Director shall be consulted--
            ``(1) during the procurement process; and
            ``(2) in the management of such contract's performance, 
        which shall be consistent with the requirements of the 
        performance management system described in section 185.''.

SEC. 114. OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR.

    Section 114 (20 U.S.C. 9514) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Except as provided in 
        subsection (b)(2), the'' and inserting ``The'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the 
                period the following: ``, except that if a successor to 
                the Director has not been appointed as of the date of 
                expiration of the Director's term, the Director may 
                serve for an additional 1-year period, beginning on the 
                day after the date of expiration of the Director's 
                term, or until a successor has been appointed under 
                subsection (a), whichever occurs first'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) Reappointment.--A Director may be reappointed under 
        subsection (a) for one additional term.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking 
                        ``Subsequent directors'' and inserting 
                        ``Recommendations''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``, other than a Director 
                        appointed under paragraph (2)'';
            (3) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by inserting before the 
                period the following: ``, and, as appropriate, with 
                such research and activities carried out by public and 
                private entities, to avoid duplicative or overlapping 
                efforts'';
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``, and the use 
                of evidence'' after ``statistics activities'';
                    (C) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) by inserting ``and maintain'' after 
                        ``establish''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``and subsection (h)'' 
                        after ``section 116(b)(3)'';
                    (D) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``disability,'' 
                after ``gender,'';
                    (E) in paragraph (8), by striking ``historically 
                Black colleges or universities'' and inserting 
                ``minority-serving institutions'';
                    (F) by striking paragraph (9) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(9) To coordinate with the Secretary to ensure that the 
        results of the Institute's work are coordinated with, and 
        utilized by, the Department's technical assistance providers 
        and dissemination networks.'';
                    (G) by striking paragraphs (10) and (11); and
                    (H) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph 
                (10);
            (4) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i);
            (5) by inserting after subsection (g), the following:
    ``(h) Peer-review System.--The Director shall establish and 
maintain a peer-review system involving highly qualified individuals, 
including practitioners, as appropriate, with an in-depth knowledge of 
the subject to be investigated, including, in the case of special 
education research, an understanding of special education, for--
            ``(1) reviewing and evaluating each application for a grant 
        or cooperative agreement under this title that exceeds 
        $100,000; and
            ``(2) evaluating and assessing all reports and other 
        products that exceed $100,000 to be published and publicly 
        released by the Institute.'';
            (6) in subsection (i), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking ``the products and''; and
                    (B) by striking ``certify that evidence-based 
                claims about those products and'' and inserting 
                ``determine whether evidence-based claims in those''; 
                and
            (7) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Relevance, Dissemination, and Utilization.--To ensure all 
activities authorized under this title are rigorous, relevant, and 
useful for researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and the public, 
the Director shall--
            ``(1) ensure such activities address significant challenges 
        faced by practitioners, and increase knowledge in the field of 
        education;
            ``(2) ensure that the information, products, and 
        publications of the Institute are--
                    ``(A) prepared and widely disseminated--
                            ``(i) in a timely fashion; and
                            ``(ii) in forms that are understandable, 
                        easily accessible, and usable, or adaptable for 
                        use in, the improvement of educational 
                        practice; and
                    ``(B) widely disseminated through electronic 
                transfer, and other means, such as posting to the 
                Institute's website or other relevant place;
            ``(3) promote the utilization of the information, products, 
        and publications of the Institute, including through the use of 
        dissemination networks and technical assistance providers, 
        within the Institute and the Department; and
            ``(4) monitor and manage the performance of all activities 
        authorized under this title in accordance with section 185.''.

SEC. 115. PRIORITIES.

    Section 115 (20 U.S.C. 9515) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``(taking into 
                        consideration long-term research and 
                        development on core issues conducted through 
                        the national research and development 
                        centers)'' and inserting ``at least once every 
                        6 years''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``such as'' and inserting 
                        ``including'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``ensuring that all 
                        students have the ability to obtain a high-
                        quality education, particularly by'' before 
                        ``closing'';
                            (ii) by striking ``low-performing 
                        children'' and inserting ``low-performing 
                        students'';
                            (iii) by striking ``especially achievement 
                        gaps between'';
                            (iv) by striking ``nonminority children'' 
                        and inserting ``nonminority students, students 
                        with disabilities and students without 
                        disabilities,'';
                            (v) by striking ``and between disadvantaged 
                        children and such children's'' and inserting 
                        ``and disadvantaged students and such 
                        students'''; and
                            (vi) by striking ``and'' after the 
                        semicolon;
                    (C) by striking paragraph (2); and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) improving access to and the quality of early 
        childhood education;
            ``(3) improving education in elementary schools and 
        secondary schools, particularly among low-performing students 
        and schools; and
            ``(4) improving access to, opportunities for, and 
        completion of postsecondary education and adult education.''; 
        and
            (2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``by means of the 
        Internet'' and inserting ``by electronic means such as posting 
        in an easily accessible manner on the Institute's website''.

SEC. 116. NATIONAL BOARD FOR EDUCATION SCIENCES.

    Section 116 (20 U.S.C. 9516) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``to guide the 
                work of the Institute'' and inserting ``, and to 
                advise, and provide input to, the Director on the 
                activities of the Institute on an ongoing basis'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``under section 
                114(h)'' after ``procedures'';
                    (C) in paragraph (8), by inserting ``disability,'' 
                after ``gender,'';
                    (D) in paragraph (9)--
                            (i) by striking ``To solicit'' and 
                        inserting ``To ensure all activities of the 
                        Institute are relevant to education policy and 
                        practice by soliciting, on an ongoing basis,''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``consistent with'' and 
                        inserting ``consistent with section 114(j) 
                        and'';
                    (E) in paragraph (11)--
                            (i) by inserting ``the Institute's'' after 
                        ``enhance''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``among other Federal and 
                        State research agencies'' and inserting ``with 
                        public and private entities to improve the work 
                        of the Institute''; and
                    (F) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(13) To conduct the evaluations required under subsection 
        (d).'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by inserting ``Board,'' before 
                        ``National Academy''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``and the National Science 
                        Advisor'' and inserting ``the National Science 
                        Advisor, and other entities and organizations 
                        that have knowledge of individuals who are 
                        highly qualified to appraise education 
                        research, statistics, evaluations, or 
                        development'';
                    (B) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in clause (i), by striking ``, 
                                which may include those researchers 
                                recommended by the National Academy of 
                                Sciences'';
                                    (II) by redesignating clause (ii) 
                                as clause (iii);
                                    (III) by inserting after clause 
                                (i), the following:
                            ``(ii) Not fewer than 2 practitioners who 
                        are knowledgeable about the education needs of 
                        the United States, who may include school-based 
                        professional educators, teachers, school 
                        leaders, local educational agency 
                        superintendents, and members of local boards of 
                        education or Bureau-funded school boards.''; 
                        and
                                    (IV) in clause (iii), as 
                                redesignated by subclause (II)--
                                            (aa) by striking ``school-
                                        based professional 
                                        educators,'';
                                            (bb) by inserting ``State 
                                        leaders in adult education,'' 
                                        after ``executives,'';
                                            (cc) by striking ``local 
                                        educational agency 
                                        superintendents,'';
                                            (dd) by striking 
                                        ``principals,'';
                                            (ee) by striking ``or 
                                        local''; and
                                            (ff) by striking ``or 
                                        Bureau-funded school boards'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding clause 
                                (i), by inserting ``beginning on the 
                                date of appointment of the member,'' 
                                after ``4 years,'';
                                    (II) by striking clause (i);
                                    (III) by redesignating clause (ii) 
                                as clause (i);
                                    (IV) in clause (i), as redesignated 
                                by subclause (III), by striking the 
                                period and inserting ``; and''; and
                                    (V) by adding at the end the 
                                following:
                            ``(ii) in a case in which a successor to a 
                        member has not been appointed as of the date of 
                        expiration of the member's term, the member may 
                        serve for an additional 1-year period, 
                        beginning on the day after the date of 
                        expiration of the member's term, or until a 
                        successor has been appointed under paragraph 
                        (1), whichever occurs first.'';
                            (iii) by striking subparagraph (C); and
                            (iv) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
                        subparagraph (C); and
                    (C) in paragraph (8)--
                            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
                        through (E) as subparagraphs (B) through (F), 
                        respectively;
                            (ii) by inserting before subparagraph (B), 
                        as redesignated by clause (i), the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--In the exercise of its duties 
                under subsection (b) and in accordance with the Federal 
                Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Board shall 
                be independent of the Director and the other offices 
                and officers of the Institute.'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated 
                        by clause (i), by inserting before the period 
                        at the end the following: ``for a term of not 
                        more than 6 years, and who may be reappointed 
                        by the Board for 1 additional term of not more 
                        than 6 years''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(G) Subcommittees.--The Board may establish 
                standing or temporary subcommittees to make 
                recommendations to the Board for carrying out 
                activities authorized under this title.'';
            (3) by striking subsection (d);
            (4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d);
            (5) in subsection (d), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Annual'' and inserting ``Evaluation'';
                    (B) by striking ``The Board'' and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Board'';
                    (C) by striking ``not later than July 1 of each 
                year, a report'' and inserting ``and make widely 
                available to the public (including by electronic means 
                such as posting in an easily accessible manner on the 
                Institute's website), a report once every 5 years''; 
                and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Requirements.--An evaluation report described in 
        paragraph (1) shall include--
                    ``(A) subject to paragraph (3), an evaluation of 
                the activities authorized for each of the National 
                Education Centers, which--
                            ``(i) uses the performance management 
                        system described in section 185; and
                            ``(ii) is conducted by an independent 
                        entity;
                    ``(B) a review of the Institute to ensure its work, 
                consistent with the requirements of section 114(j), is 
                timely, rigorous, and relevant;
                    ``(C) any recommendations regarding actions that 
                may be taken to enhance the ability of the Institute 
                and the National Education Centers to carry out their 
                priorities and missions;
                    ``(D) a summary of the major research findings of 
                the Institute and the activities carried out under 
                section 113(b) during the 3 preceding fiscal years; and
                    ``(E) interim findings made widely available to the 
                public (including by electronic means such as posting 
                in an easily accessible manner on the Institute's 
                website) 3 years after the independent entity has begun 
                reviewing the work of the Institute.
            ``(3) National center for education evaluation and regional 
        assistance.--With respect to the National Center for Education 
        Evaluation and Regional Assistance, an evaluation report 
        described in paragraph (1) shall contain--
                    ``(A) an evaluation described in paragraph (2)(A) 
                of the activities authorized for such Center, except 
                for the regional educational laboratories established 
                under section 174; and
                    ``(B) a summative or interim evaluation, whichever 
                is most recent, for each such laboratory conducted 
                under section 174(i) on or after the date of enactment 
                of the Strengthening Education through Research Act or, 
                in a case in which such an evaluation is not available 
                for a laboratory, the most recent evaluation for the 
                laboratory conducted prior to the date of enactment of 
                such Act.''; and
            (6) by striking subsection (f).

SEC. 117. COMMISSIONERS OF THE NATIONAL EDUCATION CENTERS.

    Section 117 (20 U.S.C. 9517) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Except as 
                provided in subsection (b), each'' and inserting 
                ``Each'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``Except as provided in 
                        subsection (b), each'' and inserting ``Each''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by inserting ``, statistics,'' after 
                        ``research''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Except as 
                provided in subsection (b), each'' and inserting 
                ``Each'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b);
            (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (b) and (c), respectively; and
            (4) in subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph (3), by 
        striking ``, except the Commissioner for Education 
        Statistics,''.

SEC. 118. TRANSPARENCY.

    (a) In General.--Section 119 (20 U.S.C. 9519) is amended to read as 
follows:

``SEC. 119. TRANSPARENCY.

    ``Not later than 120 days after awarding a grant, contract, or 
cooperative agreement under this title in excess of $100,000, the 
Director shall make publicly available (including through electronic 
means such as posting in an easily accessible manner on the Institute's 
website) a description of the grant, contract, or cooperative 
agreement, including, at a minimum, the amount, duration, recipient, 
and the purpose of the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of 
the Act of November 5, 2002 (Public Law 107-279; 116 Stat. 1940), is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 119 and inserting the 
following:

``Sec. 119. Transparency.''.

SEC. 119. COMPETITIVE AWARDS.

    Section 120 (20 U.S.C. 9520) is amended by striking ``when 
practicable'' and inserting ``consistent with section 114(h)''.

             PART B--NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION RESEARCH

SEC. 131. ESTABLISHMENT.

    Section 131(b) (20 U.S.C. 9531(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) to sponsor sustained research that will lead to the 
        accumulation of knowledge and understanding of education, 
        consistent with the priorities described in section 115;'';
            (2) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
            (3) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) consistent with section 114(j), to widely disseminate 
        and promote utilization of the work of the Research Center.''.

SEC. 132. DUTIES.

    Section 133 (20 U.S.C. 9533) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``peer-review 
                standards and'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (2);
                    (D) by striking paragraph (4);
                    (E) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (9) as 
                paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively;
                    (F) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E), by inserting ``in the implementation 
                of programs carried out by the Department and other 
                agencies'' before ``within the Federal Government'';
                    (G) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E), by striking ``disseminate, through 
                the National Center for Education Evaluation and 
                Regional Assistance,'' and inserting ``widely 
                disseminate, consistent with section 114(j),'';
                    (H) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E)--
                            (i) by striking ``Director'' and inserting 
                        ``Board''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``of a biennial report, as 
                        described in section 119'' and inserting ``and 
                        dissemination of each evaluation report under 
                        section 116(d)'';
                    (I) in paragraph (7), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E), by inserting ``and which may include 
                research on social and emotional learning, and the 
                acquisition of competencies and skills, including the 
                ability to think critically, solve complex problems, 
                evaluate evidence, and communicate effectively,'' after 
                ``gap,'';
                    (J) by inserting after paragraph (7), as 
                redesignated by subparagraph (E), the following:
            ``(8) to the extent time and resources allow, when findings 
        from previous research under this part provoke relevant follow 
        up questions, carry out research initiatives on such follow up 
        questions;'';
                    (K) by redesignating paragraphs (10) and (11) as 
                paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively;
                    (L) by striking paragraph (9), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (K), and inserting the following:
            ``(9) carry out research initiatives, including rigorous, 
        peer-reviewed, large-scale, long-term, and broadly applicable 
        empirical research, regarding the impact of technology on 
        education, including online education and hybrid learning;'';
                    (M) in paragraph (10), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (N) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) to the extent feasible, carry out research on the 
        quality of implementation of practices and strategies 
        determined to be effective through scientifically valid 
        research.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Plan.--The Research Commissioner shall propose to the 
Director and, subject to the approval of the Director, implement a 
research plan for the activities of the Research Center that--
            ``(1) is consistent with the priorities and mission of the 
        Institute and the mission of the Research Center described in 
        section 131(b), and includes the activities described in 
        subsection (a);
            ``(2) is carried out and, as appropriate, updated and 
        modified, including through the use of the results of the 
        Research Center's most recent evaluation report under section 
        116(d);
            ``(3) describes how the Research Center will use the 
        performance management system described in section 185 to 
        assess and improve the activities of the Center;
            ``(4) meets the procedures for peer review established and 
        maintained by the Director under section 114(f)(5) and the 
        standards of research described in section 134; and
            ``(5) includes both basic research and applied research, 
        which shall include research conducted through field-initiated 
        research and ongoing research initiatives.'';
            (3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d);
            (4) by inserting after subsection (b), the following:
    ``(c) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Research Commissioner may award 
        grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements 
        with, eligible applicants to carry out research under 
        subsection (a).
            ``(2) Eligibility.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term `eligible applicant' means an applicant that has the 
        ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research.
            ``(3) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible applicant that 
                wishes to receive a grant, or enter into a contract or 
                cooperative agreement, under this section shall submit 
                an application to the Research Commissioner at such 
                time, in such manner, and containing such information 
                as the Research Commissioner may require.
                    ``(B) Content.--An application submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall describe how the eligible 
                applicant will address and demonstrate progress on the 
                requirements of the performance management system 
                described in section 185, with respect to the 
                activities that will be carried out under the grant, 
                contract, or cooperative agreement.''; and
            (5) in subsection (d), as redesignated by paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) Support.--In carrying out activities under subsection 
        (a)(2), the Research Commissioner shall support national 
        research and development centers that address topics of 
        importance and relevance in the field of education across the 
        country and are consistent with the Institute's priorities 
        under section 115.'';
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (2), (3), and (5);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (6), and (7) 
                as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively;
                    (D) in paragraph (2), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``5 additional'' 
                                and inserting ``2 additional''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``notwithstanding 
                                section 134(b),'' and inserting 
                                ``notwithstanding section 114(h),'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) demonstrates progress on the requirements of 
                the performance management system described in section 
                185.'';
                    (E) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (C), by striking ``paragraphs (4) and 
                (5)'' and inserting ``paragraph (2)''; and
                    (F) by striking paragraph (4), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (C), and inserting the following:
            ``(4) Disaggregation.--To the extent feasible and when 
        relevant to the research being conducted, research conducted 
        under this subsection shall be disaggregated and cross-
        tabulated by age, race, gender, disability status, English 
        learner status, socioeconomic background, and other population 
        characteristics as determined by the Research Commissioner, so 
        long as any reported information does not reveal individually 
        identifiable information.''.

SEC. 133. STANDARDS FOR CONDUCT AND EVALUATION OF RESEARCH.

    Section 134 (20 U.S.C. 9534) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``based'' and 
                inserting ``valid''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and wide 
                dissemination activities'' and inserting ``and, 
                consistent with section 114(j), wide dissemination and 
                utilization activities'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b); and
            (3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).

            PART C--NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS

SEC. 151. ESTABLISHMENT.

    Section 151(b) (20 U.S.C. 9541(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and consistent with 
        the privacy protections under section 183'' after ``manner''; 
        and
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
                ``disability,'' after ``cultural,''; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(B) is consistent with section 114(j), is 
                relevant, timely, and widely disseminated.''.

SEC. 152. DUTIES.

    Section 153 (20 U.S.C. 9543) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                inserting ``, consistent with the privacy protections 
                under section 183,'' after ``Center shall'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking subparagraph (D) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(D) secondary school graduation and completion 
                rates, including the four-year adjusted cohort 
                graduation rate (as defined in section 
                200.19(b)(1)(i)(A) of title 34, Code of Federal 
                Regulations, as such section was in effect on November 
                28, 2008) and the extended-year adjusted cohort 
                graduation rate (as defined in section 
                200.19(b)(1)(v)(A) of title 34, Code of Federal 
                Regulations, as such section was in effect on November 
                28, 2008), and school dropout rates, and adult 
                literacy;'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and 
                        opportunity for,'' and inserting ``opportunity 
                        for, and completion of'';
                            (iii) by striking subparagraph (F) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(F) teaching and school leadership, including 
                information on teacher and school leader pre-service 
                preparation, professional development, teacher 
                distribution, and teacher and school leader 
                evaluation;'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (G), by inserting 
                        ``and school leaders'' before the semicolon;
                            (v) in subparagraph (H), by inserting ``, 
                        climate, and in- and out-of-school suspensions 
                        and expulsions'' before ``, including 
                        information regarding'';
                            (vi) by striking subparagraph (K) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(K) the access to, and use of, technology to 
                improve elementary schools and secondary schools;'';
                            (vii) in subparagraph (L), by striking 
                        ``and opportunity for,'' and inserting 
                        ``opportunity for, and quality of'';
                            (viii) in subparagraph (M), by striking 
                        ``such programs during school recesses'' and 
                        inserting ``summer school'';
                            (ix) in subparagraph (N)--
                                    (I) by striking ``vocational'' and 
                                inserting ``career''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``and'' after the 
                                semicolon;
                            (x) in subparagraph (O), by inserting 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon; and
                            (xi) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(P) access to, and opportunity for, adult 
                education and literacy activities;'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by striking ``when such disaggregated 
                        information will facilitate educational and 
                        policy decisionmaking'' and inserting ``so long 
                        as any reported information does not reveal 
                        individually identifiable information''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``limited English 
                        proficiency'' and inserting ``English learner 
                        status'';
                    (D) in paragraph (4), by inserting before the 
                semicolon the following: ``, and the implementation 
                (with the assistance of the Department and other 
                Federal officials who have statutory authority to 
                provide assistance on applicable privacy laws, 
                regulations, and policies) of appropriate privacy 
                protections'';
                    (E) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) by striking ``determining voluntary 
                        standards and guidelines to assist'' and 
                        inserting ``providing technical assistance 
                        to''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``promote linkages across 
                        States,'';
                    (F) in paragraph (6)--
                            (i) by striking ``Third'' and inserting 
                        ``Trends in''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``and the Program for 
                        International Student Assessment'' after 
                        ``Science Study'';
                    (G) in paragraph (7), by striking the semicolon and 
                inserting the following: ``and ensuring such 
                collections protect student privacy consistent with 
                section 183; and'';
                    (H) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(8) assisting the Board in the preparation and 
        dissemination of each evaluation report under section 
        116(d).''; and
                    (I) by striking paragraph (9);
            (2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b) Plan.--The Statistics Commissioner shall develop a plan in 
consultation with the Director and implement a plan for activities of 
the Statistics Center that--
            ``(1) is consistent with the priorities and mission of the 
        Institute and the mission of the Statistics Center described in 
        section 151(b);
            ``(2) is carried out and, as appropriate, updated and 
        modified, including through the use of the results of the 
        Statistic Center's most recent evaluation report under section 
        116(d); and
            ``(3) describes how the Statistics Center will use the 
        performance management system described in section 185 to 
        assess and improve the activities of the Center.''.

SEC. 153. PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES.

    Section 154 (20 U.S.C. 9544) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``In carrying'' and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying'';
                    (B) by inserting ``to eligible applicants'' after 
                ``technical assistance''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Eligibility.--For purposes of this section, the term 
        `eligible applicant' means an applicant that has the ability 
        and capacity to carry out activities under this part.
            ``(3) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible applicant that 
                wishes to receive a grant, or enter into a contract or 
                cooperative agreement, under this section shall submit 
                an application to the Statistics Commissioner at such 
                time, in such manner, and containing such information 
                as the Statistics Commissioner may require.
                    ``(B) Contents.--An application submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall describe how the eligible 
                applicant will address and demonstrate progress on the 
                requirements of the performance management system 
                described in section 185, with respect to the 
                activities that will be carried out under the grant, 
                contract, or cooperative agreement.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking ``vocational and'' 
        and inserting ``career and technical education programs,''; and
            (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``5 years'' the second 
        place it appears and inserting ``2 years if the recipient 
        demonstrates progress on the requirements of the performance 
        management system described in section 185, with respect to the 
        activities carried out under the grant, contract, or 
        cooperative agreement received under this section''.

SEC. 154. REPORTS.

    Section 155 (20 U.S.C. 9545) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``(consistent with 
        section 114(h))'' after ``review''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``2003'' and inserting 
        ``2016''.

SEC. 155. DISSEMINATION.

    Section 156 (20 U.S.C. 9546) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following: 
        ``Such projects shall adhere to student privacy requirements 
        under section 183.''; and
            (2) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the 
                following: ``Before receiving access to educational 
                data under this paragraph, a Federal agency shall 
                describe to the Statistics Center the specific research 
                intent for use of the data, how access to the data may 
                meet such research intent, and how the Federal agency 
                will protect the confidentiality of the data consistent 
                with the requirements of section 183.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by inserting ``and consistent with 
                        section 183'' after ``may prescribe''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following: 
                        ``Before receiving access to data under this 
                        paragraph, an interested party shall describe 
                        to the Statistics Center the specific research 
                        intent for use of the data, how access to the 
                        data may meet such research intent, and how the 
                        party will protect the confidentiality of the 
                        data consistent with the requirements of 
                        section 183.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Denial authority.--The Statistics Center shall have 
        the authority to deny any requests for access to data under 
        paragraph (1) or (2) if the data requested would be unnecessary 
        for or unrelated to the proposed research design or research 
        intent, or if the request would introduce risk of a privacy 
        violation or misuse of data.
            ``(4) Applicability of requirements.--The requirements 
        described under the second sentence of paragraph (1) and the 
        second sentence of paragraph (2) and the authority under 
        paragraph (3) shall not apply to public use data sets.''.

SEC. 156. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION STATISTICS PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) In General.--Section 157 (20 U.S.C. 9547) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``systems'' and 
        inserting ``partnerships'';
            (2) by striking ``national cooperative education statistics 
        systems'' and inserting ``cooperative education statistics 
        partnerships'';
            (3) by striking ``producing and maintaining, with the 
        cooperation'' and inserting ``reviewing and improving, with the 
        voluntary participation'';
            (4) by striking ``comparable and uniform'' and inserting 
        ``data quality standards, which may include establishing 
        voluntary guidelines to standardize'';
            (5) by striking ``adult education, and libraries,'' and 
        inserting ``and adult education''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following: ``No student data 
        shall be collected by the partnerships established under this 
        section, nor shall such partnerships establish a national 
        student data system.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of 
the Act of November 5, 2002 (Public Law 107-279; 116 Stat. 1940), is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 157 and inserting the 
following:

``Sec. 157. Cooperative education statistics partnerships.''.

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

SEC. 171. ESTABLISHMENT.

    Section 171 (20 U.S.C. 9561) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1);
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) 
                as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively;
                    (C) in paragraph (1), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B), by striking ``of such programs'' and 
                all that follows through ``science)'' and inserting 
                ``and to evaluate the implementation of such 
                programs''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (2), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (B), by striking ``and wide dissemination 
                of results of'' and inserting ``and, consistent with 
                section 114(j), the wide dissemination and utilization 
                of results of all''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (c).

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

    Section 172 (20 U.S.C. 9562) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) widely disseminate, consistent with section 114(j), 
        all information on scientifically valid research and statistics 
        supported by the Institute and all scientifically valid 
        education evaluations supported by the Institute, particularly 
        to State educational agencies and local educational agencies, 
        to institutions of higher education, and to the public, the 
        media, voluntary organizations, professional associations, and 
        other constituencies, especially with respect to the priorities 
        described in section 115;'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, consistent with 
                        section 114(j)'' after ``timely, and efficient 
                        manner''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``that shall include all 
                        topics covered in paragraph (2)(E)'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by striking ``development and 
                        dissemination'' and inserting ``development, 
                        dissemination, and utilization''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``the provision of 
                        technical assistance,'';
                    (D) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) by striking ``subsection (d)'' and 
                        inserting ``subsection (e)''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``and'' after the 
                        semicolon;
                    (E) in paragraph (6)--
                            (i) by striking ``Director'' and inserting 
                        ``Board'';
                            (ii) by striking ``preparation of a 
                        biennial report,'' and inserting ``preparation 
                        and dissemination of each evaluation report''; 
                        and
                            (iii) by striking ``119; and'' and 
                        inserting ``116(d).''; and
                    (F) by striking paragraph (7);
            (2) in subsection (b)(1)--
                    (A) by inserting ``all'' before ``information 
                disseminated''; and
                    (B) by striking ``, which may include'' and all 
                that follows through ``of this Act)'';
            (3) by striking subsection (c);
            (4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e);
            (5) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Plan.--The Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner 
shall propose to the Director and, subject to the approval of the 
Director, implement a plan for the activities of the National Center 
for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance that--
            ``(1) is consistent with the priorities and mission of the 
        Institute and the mission of the Center described in section 
        171(b);
            ``(2) is carried out and, as appropriate, updated and 
        modified, including through the use of the results of the 
        Center's most recent evaluation report under section 116(d); 
        and
            ``(3) describes how the Center will use the performance 
        management system described in section 185 to assess and 
        improve the activities of the Center.
    ``(d) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the duties under this 
        part, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner may--
                    ``(A) award grants, contracts, or cooperative 
                agreements to eligible applicants to carry out the 
                activities under this part; and
                    ``(B) provide technical assistance.
            ``(2) Eligibility.--For purposes of this section, the term 
        `eligible applicant' means an applicant that has the ability 
        and capacity to carry out activities under this part.
            ``(3) Entities to conduct evaluations.--In awarding grants, 
        contracts, or cooperative agreements under paragraph (1) to 
        carry out activities under section 173, the Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance Commissioner shall make such awards to 
        eligible applicants with the ability and capacity to conduct 
        scientifically valid education evaluations.
            ``(4) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible applicant that 
                wishes to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative 
                agreement under paragraph (1) shall submit an 
                application to the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
                Commissioner at such time, in such manner, and 
                containing such information as the Commissioner may 
                require.
                    ``(B) Contents.--An application submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall describe how the eligible 
                applicant will address and demonstrate progress on the 
                requirements of the performance management system 
                described in section 185, with respect to the 
                activities carried out under such grant, contract, or 
                cooperative agreement.
            ``(5) Duration.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, the grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under 
        paragraph (1) may be awarded, on a competitive basis, for a 
        period of not more than 5 years, and may be renewed at the 
        discretion of the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
        Commissioner for an additional period of not more than 2 years 
        if the recipient demonstrates progress on the requirements of 
        the performance management system described in section 185, 
        with respect to the activities carried out under the grant, 
        contract, or cooperative agreement.''; and
            (6) in subsection (e), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``There is 
                established'' and all that follows through ``Regional 
                Assistance'' and inserting ``The Evaluation and 
                Regional Assistance Commissioner may establish'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``all'' 
                before ``products''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), by striking ``2002'' 
                and all that follows through the period and inserting 
                ``2002).''.

SEC. 173. EVALUATIONS.

    Section 173 (20 U.S.C. 9563) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by striking ``may'' and inserting 
                        ``shall'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``evaluations'' and inserting ``high-quality 
                        evaluations, including impact evaluations that 
                        use rigorous methodologies that permit the 
                        strongest possible causal inferences,'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
                        before the semicolon at the end the following: 
                        ``, including programs under part A of such 
                        title (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.)'';
                            (iv) by striking subparagraph (C);
                            (v) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
                        subparagraph (C);
                            (vi) by striking subparagraphs (E) and (G);
                            (vii) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as 
                        subparagraph (D);
                            (viii) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated 
                        by clause (vii), by striking ``and'' at the 
                        end; and
                            (ix) by inserting after subparagraph (D), 
                        as redesignated by clause (vii), the following:
                    ``(E) provide evaluation findings in an 
                understandable, easily accessible, and usable format to 
                support program improvement;
                    ``(F) support the evaluation activities described 
                in section 401 of the Strengthening Education through 
                Research Act that are carried out by the Director; and
                    ``(G) to the extent feasible--
                            ``(i) examine evaluations conducted or 
                        supported by others to determine the quality 
                        and relevance of the evidence of effectiveness 
                        generated by those evaluations, with the 
                        approval of the Director;
                            ``(ii) review and supplement Federal 
                        education program evaluations, particularly 
                        such evaluations by the Department, to 
                        determine or enhance the quality and relevance 
                        of the evidence generated by those evaluations;
                            ``(iii) conduct implementation evaluations 
                        that promote continuous improvement and inform 
                        policymaking;
                            ``(iv) evaluate the short- and long-term 
                        effects and cost efficiencies across programs 
                        assisted or authorized under Federal law and 
                        administrated by the Department; and
                            ``(v) synthesize the results of evaluation 
                        studies for and across Federal education 
                        programs, policies, and practices.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
                        period and inserting ``under section 114(h); 
                        and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) be widely disseminated, consistent with 
                section 114(j).''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``contracts'' and 
        inserting ``grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements''.

SEC. 174. REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, 
              DISSEMINATION, AND EVALUATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 174 (20 U.S.C. 9564) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``technical 
        assistance'' and inserting ``evaluation'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Director'' and inserting 
                ``Except as provided in subsection (e)(8), the 
                Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner''; and
                    (B) by striking ``contracts'' and inserting 
                ``grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Director'' and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
        Commissioner'';
                    (B) by striking ``contracts under this section with 
                research organizations, institutions, agencies, 
                institutions of higher education,'' and inserting 
                ``grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under 
                this section with public or private, nonprofit or for-
                profit research organizations, other organizations, or 
                institutions of higher education,'';
                    (C) by striking ``or individuals,'';
                    (D) by striking ``, including regional entities'' 
                and all that follows through ``107-110))''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
        `eligible applicant' means an entity described in paragraph 
        (1).'';
            (4) by striking subsections (d) through (j) and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(d) Applications.--
            ``(1) Submission.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each eligible applicant desiring 
                a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this 
                section shall submit an application at such time, in 
                such manner, and containing such information as the 
                Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner may 
                reasonably require.
                    ``(B) Input.--To ensure that applications submitted 
                under this paragraph are reflective of the needs of the 
                regions to be served, each eligible applicant 
                submitting such an application shall seek input from 
                State educational agencies and local educational 
                agencies in the region that the award will serve, and 
                other individuals with knowledge of the region's needs.
            ``(2) Plan.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each application submitted under 
                paragraph (1) shall contain a plan for the activities 
                of the regional educational laboratory to be 
                established under this section, which shall be updated, 
                modified, and improved, as appropriate, on an ongoing 
                basis, including by using the results of the 
                laboratory's interim evaluation under subsection 
                (i)(3).
                    ``(B) Contents.--A plan described in subparagraph 
                (A) shall address--
                            ``(i) the priorities for applied research, 
                        development, evaluations, and wide 
                        dissemination established under section 207;
                            ``(ii) the needs of State educational 
                        agencies and local educational agencies, on an 
                        ongoing basis, using available State and local 
                        data; and
                            ``(iii) if available, demonstrated support 
                        from State educational agencies and local 
                        educational agencies in the region, such as 
                        letters of support or signed memoranda of 
                        understanding.
            ``(3) Non-federal support.--In conducting a competition for 
        grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under subsection 
        (a), the Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall 
        give priority to eligible applicants that will provide a 
        portion of non-Federal funds to maximize support for activities 
        of the regional educational laboratories to be established 
        under this section.
    ``(e) Awarding Grants, Contracts, or Cooperative Agreements.--
            ``(1) Assurances.--In awarding grants, contracts, or 
        cooperative agreements under this section, the Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance Commissioner shall--
                    ``(A) make such an award for not more than a 5-year 
                period;
                    ``(B) ensure that regional educational laboratories 
                established under this section have strong and 
                effective governance, organization, management, and 
                administration, and employ qualified staff; and
                    ``(C) ensure that each such laboratory has the 
                flexibility to respond in a timely fashion to the needs 
                of the laboratory's region, including--
                            ``(i) through using the results of the 
                        laboratory's interim evaluation under 
                        subsection (i)(3) to improve and modify the 
                        activities of the laboratory before the end of 
                        the award period; and
                            ``(ii) through sharing preliminary results 
                        of the laboratory's research, as appropriate, 
                        to increase the relevance and usefulness of the 
                        research.
            ``(2) Coordination.--To ensure coordination and prevent 
        unnecessary duplication of activities among the regions, the 
        Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall--
                    ``(A) share information about the activities of 
                each regional educational laboratory with each other 
                regional educational laboratory, the Department, the 
                Director, and the National Board for Education 
                Sciences;
                    ``(B) ensure, where appropriate, that the 
                activities of each regional educational laboratory 
                established under this section also serve national 
                interests;
                    ``(C) ensure each such regional educational 
                laboratory establishes strong partnerships among 
                practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and others, 
                so that such partnerships are continued in the absence 
                of Federal support; and
                    ``(D) enable, where appropriate, for such a 
                laboratory to work in a region being served by another 
                laboratory or to carry out a project that extends 
                beyond the region served by the laboratory.
            ``(3) Collaboration with technical assistance providers.--
        Each regional educational laboratory established under this 
        section shall, on an ongoing basis, coordinate its activities, 
        collaborate, and regularly exchange information with the 
        comprehensive centers (established in section 203) in the 
        region in which the laboratory is located, and with 
        comprehensive centers located outside of its region, as 
        appropriate.
            ``(4) Outreach.--In conducting competitions for grants, 
        contracts, or cooperative agreements under this section, the 
        Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall--
                    ``(A) by making information and technical 
                assistance relating to the competition widely 
                available, actively encourage eligible applicants to 
                compete for such an award; and
                    ``(B) seek input from the chief executive officers 
                of States, chief State school officers, educators, 
                parents, superintendents, and other individuals with 
                knowledge of the needs of the regions to be served by 
                the awards, regarding--
                            ``(i) the needs in the regions for applied 
                        research, evaluation, development, and wide-
                        dissemination activities authorized by this 
                        title; and
                            ``(ii) how such needs may be addressed most 
                        effectively.
            ``(5) Performance management.--Before the Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance Commissioner awards a grant, contract, or 
        cooperative agreement under this section, the Director shall 
        establish measurable performance indicators for assessing the 
        ongoing progress and performance of the regional educational 
        laboratories established with such awards that address the 
        requirements of the performance management system described in 
        section 185.
            ``(6) Standards.--The Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
        Commissioner shall adhere to the Institute's system for 
        technical and peer review under section 114(h) in reviewing the 
        applied research activities and research-based reports of the 
        regional educational laboratories.
            ``(7) Required consideration.--In determining whether to 
        award a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this 
        section--
                    ``(A) to an eligible applicant that previously 
                established a regional educational laboratory under 
                this section, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
                Commissioner shall--
                            ``(i) consider the results of such 
                        laboratory's summative evaluation under 
                        subsection (i)(2), or, if not available, any 
                        interim evaluation findings under subsection 
                        (i)(3); and
                            ``(ii) ensure that only such laboratories 
                        determined effective in their relevant interim 
                        or summative evaluations, as described in 
                        subsection (i), are eligible to receive a new 
                        grant, contract, or cooperative agreement; and
                    ``(B) to any eligible applicant, the Evaluation and 
                Regional Assistance Commissioner shall ensure that such 
                applicant has--
                            ``(i) a history of effectiveness in 
                        conducting high-quality applied research; and
                            ``(ii) the capacity to meet the measurable 
                        performance indicators established under 
                        paragraph (5).
            ``(8) Flexibility in laboratory number.--
                    ``(A) Determination.--The Evaluation and Regional 
                Assistance Commissioner, in consultation with the 
                regional educational laboratory advisory boards 
                described in subsection (h), may determine that 
                establishing 10 regional educational laboratories is 
                unnecessary, as required in subsection (a), and grant 
                an alternative number of awards or reorganize such 
                laboratories, which may include not basing the awards 
                on the regions described in subsection (b), if--
                            ``(i) an insufficient number of regional 
                        educational laboratories are meeting the needs 
                        of the regions described in subsection (b), as 
                        determined by the Commissioner;
                            ``(ii) an insufficient number of 
                        laboratories are meeting the measurable 
                        performance indicators established under 
                        paragraph (5), as determined by the 
                        Commissioner and the most recent interim or 
                        summative evaluation under subsection (i); or
                            ``(iii) an insufficient number of eligible 
                        applicants have the capacity to meet the 
                        measurable performance indicators established 
                        under paragraph (5), as determined by the 
                        Commissioner.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--If the Evaluation and Regional 
                Assistance Commissioner uses the determination 
                authority described in subparagraph (A), there shall be 
                no more than 10 regional educational laboratories 
                established.
    ``(f) Mission.--Each regional educational laboratory established 
under this section shall--
            ``(1) conduct applied research, development, data analysis, 
        and evaluation activities with State educational agencies, 
        local educational agencies, and, as appropriate, schools funded 
        by the Bureau;
            ``(2) widely disseminate such work, consistent with section 
        114(j); and
            ``(3) develop the capacity of State educational agencies, 
        local educational agencies, and, as appropriate, schools funded 
        by the Bureau to carry out the activities described in 
        paragraphs (1) and (2).
    ``(g) Activities.--To carry out the mission described in subsection 
(f), each regional educational laboratory established under this 
section shall carry out the following activities:
            ``(1) Conduct, widely disseminate, and promote utilization 
        of applied research, development activities, evaluations, data 
        analysis, and other scientifically valid research.
            ``(2) Develop and improve the plan for the laboratory under 
        subsection (d)(2) for serving the region of the laboratory, and 
        as appropriate, national needs, on an ongoing basis, which 
        shall include seeking input and incorporating feedback from the 
        representatives of State educational agencies and local 
        educational agencies in the region, and other individuals with 
        knowledge of the region's needs.
            ``(3) Ensure research and related products are relevant and 
        responsive to the needs of the region.
    ``(h) Regional Educational Laboratory Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Each regional educational laboratory 
        established under this section may establish an advisory board 
        that shall support the priorities of such laboratory.
            ``(2) Duties.--Each advisory board established under 
        paragraph (1) shall advise the regional educational 
        laboratory--
                    ``(A) concerning the activities described in 
                subsection (g);
                    ``(B) on strategies for monitoring and addressing 
                the educational needs of the region, on an ongoing 
                basis, and as appropriate, national needs;
                    ``(C) on maintaining a high standard of quality in 
                the performance of the laboratory's activities, 
                especially in meeting the measurable performance 
                indicators established under subsection (e)(5);
                    ``(D) on carrying out the laboratory's duties in a 
                manner that promotes progress toward improving student 
                academic achievement;
                    ``(E) on the activities undertaken by the 
                comprehensive center in the region, other centers, as 
                appropriate, and other laboratories to align the work 
                of such entities, reduce redundancy, and increase 
                collaboration and resource-sharing in such activities; 
                and
                    ``(F) on joint activities with other comprehensive 
                centers or laboratories that would meet the needs of 
                multiple regions.
            ``(3) Composition.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each advisory board shall--
                            ``(i) not exceed 25 members;
                            ``(ii) include the chief State school 
                        officer, or such officer's designee, or other 
                        State official, of States within the region of 
                        the laboratory who have primary responsibility 
                        under State law for elementary and secondary 
                        education in the State;
                            ``(iii) include representatives of local 
                        educational agencies, including rural and urban 
                        local educational agencies, that represent the 
                        geographic diversity of the region;
                            ``(iv) include researchers; and
                            ``(v) include not less than 1 
                        representative from an advisory board of a 
                        comprehensive center serving the region, if 
                        applicable.
                    ``(B) Eligibility.--The membership of each regional 
                educational laboratory advisory board may include the 
                following:
                            ``(i) Representatives of institutions of 
                        higher education.
                            ``(ii) Parents.
                            ``(iii) Practicing educators, including 
                        classroom teachers, school leaders, 
                        administrators, school board members, and other 
                        local school officials.
                            ``(iv) Representatives of business.
                            ``(v) Policymakers.
            ``(4) Recommendations.--In choosing individuals for 
        membership on a regional educational laboratory advisory board, 
        the regional educational laboratory shall consult with, and 
        solicit recommendations from, the Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner, the chief executive officers of 
        States, chief State school officers, local educational 
        agencies, and other education stakeholders within the 
        applicable region.
            ``(5) Special rule.--The total number of members on each 
        regional educational laboratory advisory board who are selected 
        under clauses (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (3)(A), in the 
        aggregate, shall exceed the total number of members who are 
        selected under paragraph (3)(B), collectively.
    ``(i) Evaluations.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
        Commissioner shall--
                    ``(A) provide for ongoing summative and interim 
                evaluations described in paragraphs (2) and (3), 
                respectively, of each of the regional educational 
                laboratories established under this section in carrying 
                out the full range of duties described in this section; 
                and
                    ``(B) transmit the results of such evaluations, 
                through appropriate means, to the appropriate 
                congressional committees, the Director, and the public.
            ``(2) Summative evaluations.--The Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner shall ensure each regional educational 
        laboratory established under this section is evaluated by an 
        independent entity at the end of the period of the grant, 
        contract, or cooperative agreement that established such 
        laboratory, and such evaluation shall--
                    ``(A) be completed in a timely fashion;
                    ``(B) assess how well the laboratory is meeting the 
                measurable performance indicators established under 
                subsection (e)(5); and
                    ``(C) consider the extent to which the laboratory 
                ensures that the activities of such laboratory are 
                relevant and useful to the work of State and local 
                practitioners and policymakers.
            ``(3) Interim evaluations.--The Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner shall ensure each regional educational 
        laboratory established under this section is evaluated at the 
        midpoint of the period of the grant, contract, or cooperative 
        agreement that established such laboratory, and such evaluation 
        shall--
                    ``(A) assess how well such laboratory is meeting 
                the performance indicators described in subsection 
                (e)(5); and
                    ``(B) be used to improve the effectiveness of such 
                laboratory in carrying out its plan under subsection 
                (d)(2).
    ``(j) Continuation of Awards; Recompetition.--
            ``(1) Continuation of awards.--The Evaluation and Regional 
        Assistance Commissioner shall continue awards made to each 
        eligible applicant for the support of regional educational 
        laboratories established under this section prior to the date 
        of enactment of the Strengthening Education through Research 
        Act, as such awards were in effect on the day before the date 
        of enactment of such Act, for the duration of those awards, in 
        accordance with the terms and agreements of such awards.
            ``(2) Recompetition.--Not later than the end of the period 
        of the awards described in paragraph (1), the Evaluation and 
        Regional Assistance Commissioner shall--
                    ``(A) hold a competition to make grants, contracts, 
                or cooperative agreements under this section to 
                eligible applicants, which may include eligible 
                applicants that held awards described in paragraph (1); 
                and
                    ``(B) in determining whether to select an eligible 
                applicant that held an award described in paragraph (1) 
                for an award under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, 
                consider the results of the summative evaluation under 
                subsection (i)(2) of the laboratory established with 
                the eligible applicant's award described in paragraph 
                (1).'';
            (5) by striking subsection (l);
            (6) by redesignating subsections (m), (n), and (o) as 
        subsections (l), (m), and (n), respectively;
            (7) in subsection (l), as redesignated by paragraph (6), by 
        inserting ``and local'' after ``achieve State'';
            (8) by striking subsection (m), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (6), and inserting the following:
    ``(m) Annual Report.--Each regional educational laboratory 
established under this section shall submit to the Evaluation and 
Regional Assistance Commissioner an annual report containing such 
information as the Commissioner may require, but which shall include, 
at a minimum, the following:
            ``(1) A summary of the laboratory's activities and products 
        developed during the previous year.
            ``(2) A listing of the State educational agencies, local 
        educational agencies, and schools the laboratory assisted 
        during the previous year.
            ``(3) Using the measurable performance indicators 
        established under subsection (e)(5), a description of how well 
        the laboratory is meeting educational needs of the region 
        served by the laboratory.
            ``(4) Any changes to the laboratory's plan under subsection 
        (d)(2) to improve its activities in the remaining years of the 
        grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.''; and
            (9) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(o) Appropriations Reservation.--Of the amounts appropriated 
under section 194(a), the Evaluation and Regional Assistance 
Commissioner shall reserve 16.13 percent of such funds to carry out 
this section, of which the Commissioner shall use not less than 25 
percent to serve rural areas (including schools funded by the Bureau 
which are located in rural areas).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of 
the Act of November 5, 2002 (Public Law 107-279; 116 Stat. 1940), is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 174 and inserting the 
following:

``Sec. 174. Regional educational laboratories for research, 
                            development, dissemination, and 
                            evaluation.''.

         PART E--NATIONAL CENTER FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION RESEARCH

SEC. 175. ESTABLISHMENT.

    Section 175(b) (20 U.S.C. 9567(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and children'' and 
        inserting ``children, and youth'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (3) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) to promote quality and integrity through the use of 
        accepted practices of scientific inquiry to obtain knowledge 
        and understanding of the validity of education theories, 
        practices, or conditions with respect to special education 
        research and evaluation described in paragraphs (1) through 
        (3); and
            ``(5) to promote scientifically valid research findings in 
        special education that may provide the basis for improving 
        academic instruction and lifelong learning.''.

SEC. 176. COMMISSIONER FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION RESEARCH.

    Section 176 (20 U.S.C. 9567a) is amended by inserting ``and youth'' 
after ``children''.

SEC. 177. DUTIES.

    Section 177 (20 U.S.C. 9567b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``and youth'' 
                after ``children'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``scientifically 
                based educational practices'' and inserting 
                ``educational practices, including the use of 
                technology based on scientifically valid research,'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by striking ``scientifically based''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by inserting ``are based on 
                        scientifically valid research and'' after 
                        ``interventions that'';
                    (D) in paragraph (10), by inserting before the 
                semicolon the following: ``, including how secondary 
                school credentials are related to postsecondary and 
                employment outcomes'';
                    (E) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (15) 
                and paragraphs (16) and (17) as paragraphs (12) through 
                (16), respectively, and paragraphs (18) and (19), 
                respectively;
                    (F) by inserting after paragraph (10), the 
                following:
            ``(11) examine the participation and outcomes of students 
        with disabilities in secondary and postsecondary career and 
        technical education programs;'';
                    (G) in paragraph (14), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E), by inserting ``and professional 
                development'' after ``preparation'';
                    (H) in paragraph (16), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E), by striking ``help parents'' and 
                inserting ``examine the methods by which parents may'';
                    (I) by inserting after paragraph (16), as 
                redesignated by subparagraph (E), the following:
            ``(17) assist the Board in the preparation and 
        dissemination of each evaluation report under section 
        116(d);'';
                    (J) in paragraph (18), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (K) by striking paragraph (19), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E), and inserting the following:
            ``(19) examine the needs of children with disabilities who 
        are English learners, are gifted and talented, or have other 
        unique learning needs; and''; and
                    (L) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(20) examine innovations in the field of special 
        education, such as multi-tiered systems of support.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``for the activities of 
                        the Special Education Research Center'' after 
                        ``a research plan''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``Services, that--'' and 
                        inserting ``Services, and, subject to the 
                        approval of the Director, implement the 
                        research plan. The research plan shall be a 
                        plan that--'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``described in 
                section 175(b)'' after ``Center'';
                    (C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) is carried out, and, as appropriate, updated and 
        modified, including by using the results of the Special 
        Education Research Center's most recent evaluation report under 
        section 116(d);'';
                    (D) by striking paragraph (5);
                    (E) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (6) 
                as paragraphs (4), (5), and (7), respectively;
                    (F) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) provides for research that addresses significant 
        questions of practice where such research is lacking;'';
                    (G) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E), by striking ``and types of children 
                with'' and inserting ``, student subgroups, and types 
                of''; and
                    (H) by inserting after paragraph (5), as 
                redesignated by subparagraph (E), the following:
            ``(6) describes how the Special Education Research Center 
        will use the performance management system described in section 
        185 to assess and improve the activities of the Center; and'';
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Director'' and 
                inserting ``Special Education Research Commissioner'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(3) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible applicant that 
                wishes to receive a grant, or enter into a contract or 
                cooperative agreement, under this section shall submit 
                an application to the Special Education Research 
                Commissioner at such time, in such manner, and 
                containing such information as the Special Education 
                Research Commissioner may require.
                    ``(B) Contents.--An application submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall describe how the eligible 
                applicant will address and demonstrate progress on the 
                requirements of the performance management system 
                described in section 185, with respect to the 
                activities that will be carried out under such grant, 
                contract, or cooperative agreement.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Duration.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, the grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under 
        this section may be awarded or entered into, on a competitive 
        basis, for a period of not more than 5 years, and may be 
        renewed at the discretion of the Special Education Research 
        Commissioner for an additional period of not more than 2 years 
        if the recipient demonstrates progress on the requirements of 
        the performance management system described in section 185, 
        with respect to the activities carried out under the grant, 
        contract, or cooperative agreement received or entered into 
        under this section.'';
            (4) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
    ``(e) Dissemination.--The Special Education Research Center shall 
synthesize and, consistent with section 114(j), widely disseminate and 
promote utilization of the findings and results of special education 
research conducted or supported by the Special Education Research 
Center.''; and
            (5) in subsection (f), by striking ``part such sums as may 
        be necessary for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010.'' and 
        inserting the following: ``part--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2016, $54,000,000;
            ``(2) for fiscal year 2017, $55,242,000;
            ``(3) for fiscal year 2018, $56,512,566;
            ``(4) for fiscal year 2019, $57,812,355;
            ``(5) for fiscal year 2020, $59,142,039; and
            ``(6) for fiscal year 2021, $66,922,118.''.

                       PART F--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 181. PROHIBITIONS.

    Section 182 (20 U.S.C. 9572) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``specific academic 
        achievement or content standards or assessments,'' after ``the 
        curriculum,''; and
            (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``an elementary school 
        or secondary school'' and inserting ``early education, or in an 
        elementary school, secondary school, or institution of higher 
        education''.

SEC. 182. CONFIDENTIALITY.

    Section 183 (20 U.S.C. 9573) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``their families, and information 
                with respect to individual schools,'' and inserting 
                ``and their families''; and
                    (B) by inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``, and that any disclosed information with 
                respect to individual schools not reveal such 
                individually identifiable information'';
            (2) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ``, including 
        voluntary and uncompensated services under section 190'' after 
        ``providing services''; and
            (3) in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and Director'' after 
        ``Secretary''.

SEC. 183. AVAILABILITY OF DATA.

    Section 184 (20 U.S.C. 9574) is amended by striking ``use of the 
Internet'' and inserting ``electronic means, such as posting in an 
easily accessible manner on the Institute's website''.

SEC. 184. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT.

    Section 185 (20 U.S.C. 9575) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 185. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT.

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

SEC. 185. AUTHORITY TO PUBLISH.

    Section 186(b) (20 U.S.C. 9576(b)) is amended by striking ``any 
information to be published under this section before publication'' and 
inserting ``any publication under this section before the public 
release of such publication''.

SEC. 186. REPEALS.

    (a) Repeals.--Sections 187 (20 U.S.C. 9577) and 193 (20 U.S.C. 
9583) are repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--The table of contents in section 1 of 
the Act of November 5, 2002 (Public Law 107-279; 116 Stat. 1940), is 
amended by striking the items relating to sections 187 and 193.

SEC. 187. FELLOWSHIPS.

    Section 189 (20 U.S.C. 9579) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and the mission of each National 
        Education Center authorized under this title'' after ``related 
        to education''; and
            (2) by striking ``historically Black colleges and 
        universities'' and inserting ``minority-serving institutions''.

SEC. 188. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 194 (20 U.S.C. 9584) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
administer and carry out this title (except part E)--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2016, $337,343,000;
            ``(2) for fiscal year 2017, $345,101,889;
            ``(3) for fiscal year 2018, $353,039,232;
            ``(4) for fiscal year 2019, $361,159,135;
            ``(5) for fiscal year 2020, $369,465,795; and
            ``(6) for fiscal year 2021, $376,225,846.''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Reservations.--Of the amounts appropriated under subsection 
(a) for each fiscal year--
            ``(1) not less than the amount provided to the National 
        Center for Education Statistics (as such Center was in 
        existence on the day before the date of enactment of the 
        Strengthening Education through Research Act) for fiscal year 
        2015 shall be provided to the National Center for Education 
        Statistics, as authorized under part C; and
            ``(2) not more than the lesser of 2 percent of such 
        appropriated amounts or $2,000,000 shall be made available to 
        carry out section 116 (relating to the National Board for 
        Education Sciences).''.

              PART G--TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS

SEC. 191. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO OTHER LAWS.

    (a) Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.--
Section 3(25) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act 
of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302(25)) is amended by striking ``using 
scientifically based research standards, as defined in section 102'' 
and inserting ``in accordance with the principles of scientific 
research, as defined in section 102''.
    (b) Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.--Section 
9529(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7909(b)) is amended by striking ``section 153(a)(5)'' and 
inserting ``section 153(a)(6)''.
    (c) Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.--Section 681(a)(1) 
of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
1481(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``section 178(c)'' and inserting 
``section 177(c)''.

               TITLE II--EDUCATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

SEC. 201. REFERENCES.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this title an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of the Educational Technical 
Assistance Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 202 (20 U.S.C. 9601) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) School leader.--The term `school leader' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 102.''.

SEC. 203. COMPREHENSIVE CENTERS.

    Section 203 (20 U.S.C. 9602) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Authorization.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3) and except as 
        provided in subsection (b)(5), the Secretary shall award 17 
        grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible 
        applicants to establish comprehensive centers.
            ``(2) Mission.--The mission of the comprehensive centers is 
        to provide State educational agencies and local educational 
        agencies technical assistance, analysis, and training to build 
        their capacity in implementing the requirements of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 
        et seq.) and other Federal education laws, and research-based 
        practices.
            ``(3) Regions.--In awarding grants, contracts, or 
        cooperative agreements under paragraph (1), the Secretary--
                    ``(A) shall establish at least one comprehensive 
                center for each of the 10 geographic regions served by 
                the regional educational laboratories established under 
                section 941(h) of the Educational Research, 
                Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994 
                (20 U.S.C. 6041(h)) (as such provision existed on the 
                day before the date of enactment of this Act);
                    ``(B) may establish additional comprehensive 
                centers--
                            ``(i) for one or more of the regions 
                        described in subparagraph (A); or
                            ``(ii) to serve the Nation as a whole by 
                        providing technical assistance on a particular 
                        content area of importance to the Nation, as 
                        determined by the Secretary; and
                    ``(C) may make such arrangements as the Secretary 
                determines necessary to ensure that the Bureau of 
                Indian Education and States or local educational 
                agencies serving significant numbers of American 
                Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian students have 
                access to services provided under this section.
            ``(4) Nation.--In the case of a comprehensive center 
        established to serve the Nation as described in paragraph 
        (3)(B)(ii), the Nation shall be considered to be a region 
        served by such Center.
            ``(5) Award period.--A grant, contract, or cooperative 
        agreement under this section may be awarded, on a competitive 
        basis, for a period of not more than 5 years.
            ``(6) Responsiveness.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
        comprehensive center established under this section has the 
        ability to respond in a timely fashion to the needs of State 
        educational agencies and local educational agencies, including 
        through using the results of the center's interim evaluation 
        under section 204(c), to improve and modify the activities of 
        the center before the end of the award period.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, contracts, or 
                        cooperative agreements'' after ``Grants'';
                            (ii) by striking ``research organizations, 
                        institutions, agencies, institutions of higher 
                        education,'' and inserting ``public or private, 
                        nonprofit or for-profit research organizations, 
                        other organizations, or institutions of higher 
                        education,'';
                            (iii) by striking ``, or individuals,'';
                            (iv) by striking ``subsection (f)'' and 
                        inserting ``subsection (e)''; and
                            (v) by striking ``, including regional'' 
                        and all that follows through ``107-110))''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(2) Outreach.--In conducting competitions for grants, 
        contracts, or cooperative agreements under this section, the 
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) by making widely available information and 
                technical assistance relating to the competition, 
                actively encourage eligible applicants to compete for 
                such awards; and
                    ``(B) seek input from chief executive officers of 
                States, chief State school officers, educators, 
                parents, superintendents, and other individuals with 
                knowledge of the needs of the regions to be served by 
                the awards, regarding--
                            ``(i) the needs in the regions for 
                        technical assistance authorized under this 
                        title; and
                            ``(ii) how such needs may be addressed most 
                        effectively.
            ``(3) Performance management.--Before awarding a grant, 
        contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, the 
        Secretary shall establish measurable performance indicators to 
        be used to assess the ongoing progress and performance of the 
        comprehensive centers to be established under this title that 
        address paragraphs (1) through (3) of the performance 
        management system described in section 185.
            ``(4) Required consideration.--In determining whether to 
        award or enter into a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement 
        under this section--
                    ``(A) to an eligible applicant that previously 
                established a comprehensive center under this section, 
                the Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) consider the results of such center's 
                        summative evaluation under section 204(b) or, 
                        if not available, any interim evaluation 
                        results under section 204(c); and
                            ``(ii) ensure that only centers determined 
                        effective in the centers' relevant interim or 
                        summative evaluations, as described in section 
                        204, are eligible to receive a new grant, 
                        contract, or cooperative agreement; and
                    ``(B) to any eligible applicant, the Secretary 
                shall ensure that such applicant has--
                            ``(i) a history of effectiveness in 
                        providing high-quality technical assistance; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) the capacity to meet the measurable 
                        performance indicators established under 
                        paragraph (3).
            ``(5) Flexibility in comprehensive center number.--
                    ``(A) Determination.--The Secretary, in 
                consultation with the comprehensive center advisory 
                boards described in subsection (f), may determine that 
                establishing 17 comprehensive centers under this 
                section is unnecessary, as required in subsection 
                (a)(1), and grant an alternative number of awards or 
                reorganize such centers, which may include organizing 
                the centers around content area instead of by the 
                regions described in subsection (a)(3), if--
                            ``(i) an insufficient number of such 
                        comprehensive centers are meeting the needs of 
                        the regions described in paragraphs (3) and (4) 
                        of subsection (a), as determined by the 
                        Secretary;
                            ``(ii) an insufficient number of such 
                        comprehensive centers are meeting the 
                        measurable performance indicators established 
                        under paragraph (3), as determined by the 
                        Secretary and the most recent interim or 
                        summative evaluation under section 204; or
                            ``(iii) an insufficient number of eligible 
                        applicants have the capacity to meet the 
                        measurable performance indicators established 
                        under paragraph (3), as determined by the 
                        Secretary.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not use the 
                determination authority described in subparagraph (A) 
                to establish more than 17 comprehensive centers under 
                this section.
            ``(6) Continuation of awards.--
                    ``(A) Continuation of awards.--The Secretary shall 
                continue awards made to each eligible applicant for the 
                support of comprehensive centers established under this 
                section prior to the date of enactment of the 
                Strengthening Education through Research Act, as such 
                awards were in effect on the day before the date of 
                enactment of such Act, for the duration of those 
                awards, in accordance with the terms and agreements of 
                such awards.
                    ``(B) Recompetition.--Not later than the end of the 
                period of the awards described in subparagraph (A), the 
                Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) hold a competition to make grants, 
                        contracts, or cooperative agreements under this 
                        section to eligible applicants, which may 
                        include eligible applicants that held awards 
                        described in subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) in determining whether to select an 
                        eligible applicant that held an award described 
                        in subparagraph (A) for an award under clause 
                        (i) of this subparagraph, consider the results 
                        of the summative evaluation under section 
                        204(b) of the center established with the 
                        eligible applicant's award described in 
                        subparagraph (A).
            ``(7) Eligible applicant defined.--For purposes of this 
        section, the term `eligible applicant' means an entity 
        described in paragraph (1).'';
            (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Applications.--
            ``(1) Submission.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each eligible applicant seeking 
                a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this 
                section shall submit an application at such time, in 
                such manner, and containing such additional information 
                as the Secretary may reasonably require.
                    ``(B) Input.--To ensure that applications submitted 
                under this paragraph are reflective of the needs of the 
                regions to be served, each eligible applicant 
                submitting such an application shall seek input from--
                            ``(i) State educational agencies and local 
                        educational agencies in the region that the 
                        award will serve; and
                            ``(ii) other individuals with knowledge of 
                        the region's needs.
            ``(2) Plan.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each application submitted under 
                paragraph (1) shall contain a plan for the 
                comprehensive center to be established under this 
                section, which shall be updated, modified, and 
                improved, as appropriate, on an ongoing basis, 
                including by using the results of the center's interim 
                evaluation under section 204(c).
                    ``(B) Contents.--A plan described in subparagraph 
                (A) shall address--
                            ``(i) the priorities for technical 
                        assistance established under section 207;
                            ``(ii) the needs of State educational 
                        agencies and local educational agencies, on an 
                        ongoing basis, using available State and local 
                        data, including how the needs of schools 
                        identified for improvement and schools and 
                        local educational agencies with a high 
                        percentage or number of low-income students 
                        will be prioritized and served; and
                            ``(iii) if available, demonstrated support 
                        from State educational agencies and local 
                        educational agencies, such as letters of 
                        support or signed memoranda of understanding.
            ``(3) Non-federal support.--In conducting a competition for 
        grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under subsection 
        (a), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible applicants 
        that will provide a portion of non-Federal funds to maximize 
        support for activities of the comprehensive centers to be 
        established under this section.'';
            (4) in subsection (d), by inserting ``the number of low-
        performing schools in the region,'' after ``economically 
        disadvantaged students,'';
            (5) by striking subsections (e), (g), and (h);
            (6) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e);
            (7) in subsection (e), as redesignated by paragraph (6)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by striking ``support dissemination and 
                        technical assistance activities by'' and 
                        inserting ``support State educational agencies 
                        and local educational agencies, including by'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in clause (i), by inserting 
                                ``and other Federal education laws'' 
                                before the semicolon;
                                    (II) in clause (ii)--
                                            (aa) in the matter 
                                        preceding subclause (I), by 
                                        striking ``and assessment 
                                        tools'' and inserting ``, 
                                        assessment tools, and other 
                                        educational strategies'';
                                            (bb) in subclause (I), by 
                                        striking ``mathematics, 
                                        science,'' and inserting 
                                        ``mathematics and science, 
                                        which may include computer 
                                        science or engineering,''; and
                                            (cc) in subclause (III), by 
                                        inserting ``, including 
                                        innovative tools and methods'' 
                                        before the semicolon; and
                                    (III) by striking clause (iii) and 
                                inserting the following:
                            ``(iii) the replication and adaptation of 
                        exemplary practices and innovative methods that 
                        have an evidence base of effectiveness; and'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``, consistent 
                                with section 114(j),'' after 
                                ``disseminating''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``(as described'' 
                                and all that follows through ``is 
                                located''; and
                            (iv) by striking subparagraph (C) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(C) ensuring activities carried out under this 
                section are relevant and responsive to the needs of the 
                region being served.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, on an ongoing basis,'' 
                        after ``this section shall''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``in which the center is 
                        located'' and inserting ``served by the center 
                        or other regional educational laboratories or 
                        comprehensive centers, as appropriate''; and
            (8) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Comprehensive Center Advisory Board.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Each comprehensive center established 
        under this section may establish an advisory board that shall 
        support the priorities of such center.
            ``(2) Duties.--Each advisory board established under 
        paragraph (1) shall advise the comprehensive center--
                    ``(A) concerning the activities described in 
                subsection (e);
                    ``(B) on strategies for monitoring and addressing 
                the educational needs of the region being served on an 
                ongoing basis and, as appropriate, national needs;
                    ``(C) on maintaining a high standard of quality in 
                the performance of the center's activities, especially 
                in meeting the measurable performance indicators 
                established under subsection (b)(3);
                    ``(D) on carrying out the center's duties in a 
                manner that promotes progress toward improving student 
                academic achievement;
                    ``(E) on the activities undertaken by regional 
                educational laboratories of the region being served, 
                other regional educational laboratories, as 
                appropriate, and other comprehensive centers to align 
                the work of the laboratories and centers, reduce 
                redundancy, and increase collaboration and resource-
                sharing in such activities; and
                    ``(F) on joint activities, with other comprehensive 
                centers or regional educational laboratories from other 
                regions, that would meet the needs of multiple regions.
            ``(3) Composition.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Each advisory board shall--
                            ``(i) not exceed 25 members;
                            ``(ii) include the chief State school 
                        officer, or such officer's designee, or other 
                        State official, of States within the region 
                        served by the comprehensive center who have 
                        primary responsibility under State law for 
                        elementary and secondary education in the 
                        State;
                            ``(iii) include representatives of local 
                        educational agencies, including rural and urban 
                        local educational agencies, that represent the 
                        geographic diversity of the region;
                            ``(iv) include researchers; and
                            ``(v) include not less than 1 
                        representative from the advisory board of a 
                        regional educational laboratory in the region 
                        being served by the comprehensive center.
                    ``(B) Eligibility.--The membership of each 
                comprehensive center advisory board may include the 
                following:
                            ``(i) Representatives of institutions of 
                        higher education.
                            ``(ii) Parents.
                            ``(iii) Practicing educators, including 
                        classroom teachers, school leaders, 
                        administrators, school board members, and other 
                        local school officials.
                            ``(iv) Representatives of business.
                            ``(v) Policymakers.
            ``(4) Recommendations.--In choosing individuals for 
        membership on a comprehensive center advisory board, the 
        comprehensive center shall consult with, and solicit 
        recommendations from, the Secretary, chief executive officers 
        of States, chief State school officers, local educational 
        agencies, and other education stakeholders within the 
        applicable region.
            ``(5) Special rule.--The total number of members on each 
        board who are selected under clauses (ii) and (iii) of 
        paragraph (3)(A), in the aggregate, shall exceed the total 
        number of members who are selected under paragraph (3)(B), 
        collectively.
    ``(g) Report to the Secretary.--Each comprehensive center 
established under this section shall submit to the Secretary an annual 
report, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require, which shall include the following:
            ``(1) A summary of the center's activities and products 
        developed during the previous year.
            ``(2) A listing of the State educational agencies, local 
        educational agencies, and schools the center assisted during 
        the previous year.
            ``(3) Using the measurable performance indicators 
        established under subsection (b)(3), a description of how well 
        the center is meeting educational needs of the region served by 
        the center.
            ``(4) Any changes to the center's plan under subsection 
        (c)(2) to improve its activities in the remaining years of the 
        grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.''.

SEC. 204. EVALUATIONS.

    Section 204 (20 U.S.C. 9603) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 204. EVALUATIONS.

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

SEC. 205. EXISTING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 205 (20 U.S.C. 9604) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of 
the Act of November 5, 2002 (Public Law 107-279; 116 Stat. 1940), is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 205.

SEC. 206. REGIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 206 (20 U.S.C. 9605) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of 
the Act of November 5, 2002 (Public Law 107-279; 116 Stat. 1940), is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 206.

SEC. 207. PRIORITIES.

    Section 207 (20 U.S.C. 9606) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``Director and'' before ``Secretary shall 
        establish'';
            (2) by striking ``of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 
        2002'';
            (3) by striking ``of this title'';
            (4) by striking ``to address, taking onto account the 
        regional assessments conducted under section 206 and other'' 
        and inserting ``, respectively, using the results of''; and
            (5) by striking ``relevant regional'' and all that follows 
        through ``Secretary deems appropriate'' and inserting 
        ``relevant regional and national surveys of educational 
        needs''.

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

    Section 208 (20 U.S.C. 9607) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``, the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), and the Individuals with 
                Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.)''; 
                and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following: ``State 
                educational agencies receiving a grant under this 
                section may provide subgrants to local educational 
                agencies to improve the capacity of local educational 
                agencies to carry out the activities authorized under 
                this section.'';
            (2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as 
        subsections (d), (e), and (g), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after subsection (b), the following:
    ``(c) Performance Management.--Before awarding a grant under this 
section, the Secretary shall establish measurable performance 
indicators--
            ``(1) to be used to assess the ongoing progress and 
        performance of State educational agencies receiving a grant 
        under this section; and
            ``(2) that address paragraphs (1) through (3) of the 
        performance management system described in section 185.'';
            (4) in subsection (d), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, promotes 
                linkages across States,'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by inserting ``supports school improvement 
                        and'' after ``data that'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and 
                        other reporting requirements and close 
                        achievement gaps; and'' and inserting ``and 
                        other reporting requirements, close achievement 
                        gaps, and improve teaching and school 
                        leadership;'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``and close achievement gaps; and'' and by 
                        inserting ``, close achievement gaps, and 
                        improve teaching and school leadership; and''; 
                        and
                            (iv) by inserting after subparagraph (B) 
                        the following:
                    ``(C) to align statewide, longitudinal data systems 
                from early education through postsecondary education 
                (including pre-service preparation programs), and the 
                workforce, consistent with privacy protections under 
                section 183;''; and
                    (C) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(3) ensures the protection of student privacy, and 
        includes a review of how State educational agencies, local 
        educational agencies, and others that will have access to the 
        statewide, longitudinal data systems under this section will 
        adhere to Federal privacy laws and protections, consistent with 
        section 183, in the building, maintenance, and use of such data 
        systems;
            ``(4) ensures State educational agencies receiving a grant 
        under this section support professional development that builds 
        the capacity of teachers and school leaders to use data 
        effectively; and
            ``(5) gives priority to State educational agencies that 
        leverage the use of statewide, longitudinal data systems to 
        improve student achievement and growth, including such State 
        educational agencies that--
                    ``(A) are carrying out the activities described in 
                section 153(a)(5);
                    ``(B) define the roles of State educational 
                agencies, local educational agencies, and others in 
                providing timely access to data under the statewide, 
                longitudinal data systems, consistent with privacy 
                protections in section 183; and
                    ``(C) demonstrate the capacity to share teacher and 
                school leader performance data, including student 
                achievement and growth data, with local educational 
                agencies and teacher and school leader preparation 
                programs.'';
            (5) by inserting after subsection (e), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), the following:
    ``(f) Renewal of Awards.--The Secretary may renew a grant awarded 
to a State educational agency under this section for a period not to 
exceed 3 years, if the State educational agency has demonstrated 
progress on the measurable performance indicators established under 
subsection (c).''; and
            (6) by striking subsection (g), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), and inserting the following:
    ``(g) Reports.--
            ``(1) First report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of the Strengthening Education through Research 
        Act, the Secretary shall prepare and make publicly available a 
        report on the implementation and effectiveness of the 
        activities carried out by State educational agencies receiving 
        a grant under this section, including--
                    ``(A) information on progress in the development 
                and use of statewide, longitudinal data systems 
                described in this section;
                    ``(B) information on best practices and areas for 
                improvement in such development and use; and
                    ``(C) how the State educational agencies are 
                adhering to Federal privacy laws and protections in the 
                building, maintenance, and use of such data systems.
            ``(2) Succeeding reports.--Every succeeding 3 years after 
        the report is made publicly available under paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall prepare and make publicly available a report on 
        the implementation and effectiveness of the activities carried 
        out by State educational agencies receiving a grant under this 
        section, including--
                    ``(A) information on the requirements of 
                subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); and
                    ``(B) the progress, in the aggregate, State 
                educational agencies are making on the measurable 
                performance indicators established under subsection 
                (c).''.

SEC. 209. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 209 (20 U.S.C. 9608) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 209. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2016, $82,984,000;
            ``(2) for fiscal year 2017, $84,892,632;
            ``(3) for fiscal year 2018, $86,845,163;
            ``(4) for fiscal year 2019, $88,842,601;
            ``(5) for fiscal year 2020, $90,885,981; and
            ``(6) for fiscal year 2021, $92,548,906.''.

         TITLE III--NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS

SEC. 301. REFERENCES.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this title an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of the National Assessment of 
Educational Progress Authorization Act (20 U.S.C. 9621 et seq.).

SEC. 302. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT GOVERNING BOARD.

    Section 302 (20 U.S.C. 9621) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``shall formulate policy 
        guidelines'' and inserting ``shall oversee and set policies, in 
        a manner consistent with subsection (e) and accepted 
        professional standards,'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(1)(L)--
                    (A) by striking ``principals'' and inserting 
                ``leaders''; and
                    (B) by striking ``principal'' both places it 
                appears and inserting ``leader'';
            (3) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (4);
            (4) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``the 
                        Assessment Board after consultation with'' 
                        before ``organizations''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) by striking ``Each organization 
                                submitting nominations to the Secretary 
                                with'' and inserting ``With''; and
                                    (II) by inserting ``, the 
                                Assessment Board'' after ``particular 
                                vacancy''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``that each organization 
                        described in paragraph (1)(A) submit additional 
                        nominations'' and inserting ``additional 
                        nominations from the Assessment Board or each 
                        organization described in paragraph (1)(A)''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``such organization'' and 
                        inserting ``the Assessment Board''; and
            (5) in subsection (e)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by inserting ``in consultation with the 
                        Commissioner for Education Statistics,'' before 
                        ``select'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``and grades or ages'' 
                        before ``to be''; and
                            (iii) by inserting ``, and determine the 
                        year in which such assessments will be 
                        conducted'' after ``assessed'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``school 
                leaders,'' after ``teachers,'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``design'' and 
                inserting ``provide input on'';
                    (D) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (I);
                    (E) by redesignating subparagraph (J) as 
                subparagraph (K);
                    (F) by inserting after subparagraph (I), the 
                following:
                    ``(J) provide input to the Director on annual 
                budget requests for the National Assessment of 
                Educational Progress; and'';
                    (G) in subparagraph (K), as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (E)--
                            (i) by striking ``plan and execute the 
                        initial public release of''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``release the initial'' 
                        before ``National''; and
                    (H) in the matter following subparagraph (K), as 
                redesignated by subparagraph (E), by striking 
                ``subparagraph (J)'' and inserting ``subparagraph 
                (K)''.

SEC. 303. NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.

    Section 303 (20 U.S.C. 9622) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``with the advice of the 
        Assessment Board established under section 302'' and inserting 
        ``in a manner consistent with accepted professional standards 
        and the policies set forth by the Assessment Board under 
        section 302(a)'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``and 
                        consistent with section 302(e)(1)(A)'' after 
                        ``resources allow'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (G)--
                                    (I) by striking ``limited English 
                                proficiency'' and inserting ``English 
                                learner status''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``and'' at the end 
                                of subparagraph (G);
                            (iii) in subparagraph (H), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(I) determine, after taking into account section 
                302(e)(1)(I), the content of initial and subsequent 
                reports of all assessments authorized under this 
                section and ensure that such reports are valid and 
                reliable.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (5)(C), by striking ``limited 
                English proficiency'' and inserting ``English learner 
                status'';
            (3) in subsection (c)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``of 
                Education'' after ``Secretary''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (D)--
                            (i) by striking ``Chairman of the House'' 
                        before ``Committee on Education'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``of the House of 
                        Representatives'' after ``Workforce'';
                            (iii) by striking ``Chairman of the 
                        Senate'' before ``Committee on Health''; and
                            (iv) by inserting ``of the Senate'' after 
                        ``Pensions'';
            (4) in subsection (d)(1), by inserting before the period, 
        the following: ``, except as required under section 
        1112(b)(1)(F) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 6312(b)(1)(F))'';
            (5) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or age''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``shall'' and all 
                                that follows through ``be'' and insert 
                                ``shall be'';
                                    (II) by redesignating subclauses 
                                (I) and (II) as clauses (i) and (ii), 
                                respectively (and by moving the margins 
                                2 ems to the left); and
                                    (III) in clause (ii), as 
                                redesignated by subclause (II), by 
                                striking ``, or the age of the 
                                students, as the case may be'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) by striking ``After the 
                                determinations described in 
                                subparagraph (A), devising'' and 
                                inserting ``The Assessment Board shall, 
                                in making the determination described 
                                in subparagraph (A), use''; and
                                    (II) by inserting ``, providing for 
                                the active participation of teachers, 
                                school leaders, curriculum specialists, 
                                local school administrators, parents, 
                                and concerned members of the general 
                                public'' after ``approach''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting 
                        ``Assessment'' before ``Board''; and
            (6) in subsection (g)(2)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``affairs'' and 
                inserting ``education''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Affairs'' and inserting 
                ``Education''.

SEC. 304. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 304 (20 U.S.C. 9623) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) 
and (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The terms `elementary school', `local 
        educational agency', and `secondary school' have the meanings 
        given those terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            ``(2) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
        the Institute of Education Sciences.
            ``(3) School leader.--The term `school leader' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 102.
            ``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
        of Education.
            ``(5) State.--The term `State' means each of the 50 States, 
        the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico.''.

SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 305(a) (20 U.S.C. 9624(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
            ``(1) for fiscal year 2016--
                    ``(A) $8,235,000 to carry out section 302 (relating 
                to the National Assessment Governing Board); and
                    ``(B) $129,000,000 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of Educational 
                Progress);
            ``(2) for fiscal year 2017--
                    ``(A) $8,424,405 to carry out section 302 (relating 
                to the National Assessment Governing Board); and
                    ``(B) $131,967,000 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of Educational 
                Progress);
            ``(3) for fiscal year 2018--
                    ``(A) $8,618,166 to carry out section 302 (relating 
                to the National Assessment Governing Board); and
                    ``(B) $135,002,241 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of Educational 
                Progress);
            ``(4) for fiscal year 2019--
                    ``(A) $8,816,384 to carry out section 302 (relating 
                to the National Assessment Governing Board); and
                    ``(B) $138,107,293 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of Educational 
                Progress);
            ``(5) for fiscal year 2020--
                    ``(A) $9,019,161 to carry out section 302 (relating 
                to the National Assessment Governing Board); and
                    ``(B) $141,283,760 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of Educational 
                Progress); and
            ``(6) for fiscal year 2021--
                    ``(A) $9,184,183 to carry out section 302 (relating 
                to the National Assessment Governing Board); and
                    ``(B) $143,868,805 to carry out section 303 
                (relating to the National Assessment of Educational 
                Progress).''.

                       TITLE IV--EVALUATION PLAN

SEC. 401. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION.

    (a) In General.--The Institute of Education Sciences shall be the 
primary entity for conducting research on and evaluations of Federal 
education programs within the Department of Education to ensure the 
rigor and independence of such research and evaluation.
    (b) Flexible Authority.--
            (1) Reservation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) related to evaluation, the Secretary of 
        Education, in consultation with the Director of the Institute 
        of Education Sciences--
                    (A) may, for purposes of carrying out the 
                activities described in paragraph (2)(B)--
                            (i) reserve not more than 0.5 percent of 
                        the total amount of funds appropriated for each 
                        program authorized under the Elementary and 
                        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 
                        et seq.), other than part A of title I of such 
                        Act (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) and section 1501 
                        of such Act (20 U.S.C. 6491); and
                            (ii) reserve, in the manner described in 
                        subparagraph (B), an amount equal to not more 
                        than 0.1 percent of the total amount of funds 
                        appropriated for--
                                    (I) part A of title I of the 
                                Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); and
                                    (II) section 1501 of such Act (20 
                                U.S.C. 6491); and
                    (B) in reserving the amount described in 
                subparagraph (A)(ii)--
                            (i) shall reserve not more than the total 
                        amount of funds appropriated for section 1501 
                        of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6491); and
                            (ii) may, in a case in which the total 
                        amount of funds appropriated for such section 
                        1501 (20 U.S.C. 6491) is less than the amount 
                        described in subparagraph (A)(ii), reserve the 
                        amount of funds appropriated for part A of 
                        title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) 
                        that is needed for the sum of the total amount 
                        of funds appropriated for such section 1501 (20 
                        U.S.C. 6491) and such amount of funds 
                        appropriated for such part A of title I (20 
                        U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) to equal the amount 
                        described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
            (2) Authorized activities.--If funds are reserved under 
        paragraph (1)--
                    (A) neither the Secretary of Education nor the 
                Director of the Institute of Education Sciences shall--
                            (i) carry out evaluations under section 
                        1501 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6491); or
                            (ii) reserve funds for evaluation 
                        activities under section 3111(c)(1)(C) of such 
                        Act (20 U.S.C. 6821(c)(1)(C)); and
                    (B) the Secretary of Education, in consultation 
                with the Director of the Institute of Education 
                Sciences--
                            (i) shall use the funds reserved under 
                        paragraph (1) to carry out high-quality 
                        evaluations (consistent with the requirements 
                        of section 173(a) of the Education Sciences 
                        Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9563(a)), as 
                        amended by this Act, and the evaluation plan 
                        described in subsection (c) of this section) of 
                        programs authorized under the Elementary and 
                        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 
                        et seq.); and
                            (ii) may use the funds reserved under 
                        paragraph (1) to--
                                    (I) increase the usefulness of the 
                                evaluations conducted under clause (i) 
                                to promote continuous improvement of 
                                programs under the Elementary and 
                                Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                                U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); or
                                    (II) assist grantees of such 
                                programs in collecting and analyzing 
                                data and other activities related to 
                                conducting high-quality evaluations 
                                under clause (i).
            (3) Dissemination.--The Secretary of Education or the 
        Director of the Institute of Education Sciences shall 
        disseminate evaluation findings, consistent with section 114(j) 
        of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 
        9514(j)), as amended by this Act, of evaluations carried out 
        under paragraph (2)(B)(i).
            (4) Consolidation.--The Secretary of Education, in 
        consultation with the Director of the Institute of Education 
        Sciences--
                    (A) may consolidate the funds reserved under 
                paragraph (1) for purposes of carrying out the 
                activities under paragraph (2)(B); and
                    (B) shall not be required to evaluate under 
                paragraph (2)(B)(i) each program authorized under the 
                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) each year.
    (c) Evaluation Plan.--The Director of the Institute of Education 
Sciences, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall, on a 
biennial basis, develop, submit to Congress, and make publicly 
available an evaluation plan, that--
            (1) describes the specific activities that will be carried 
        out under subsection (b)(2)(B) for the 2-year period applicable 
        to the plan, and the timelines of such activities;
            (2) contains the results of the activities carried out 
        under subsection (b)(2)(B) for the most recent 2-year period; 
        and
            (3) describes how programs authorized under the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) 
        will be regularly evaluated.
    (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to affect section 173(b) of the Education Sciences Reform Act 
of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9563(b)), as amended by this Act.

            Passed the Senate December 17, 2015.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
114th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                 S. 227

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

 To strengthen the Federal education research system to make research 
 and evaluations more timely and relevant to State and local needs in 
                 order to increase student achievement.