[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4373-S4379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hatch, 
        and Mrs. Murray):
  S. 818. A bill to reauthorize the Enhancing Education Through 
Technology Act of 2001, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senators 
Burr, Kennedy, Hatch and Murray to introduce the Achievement Through 
Technology and Innovation, ATTAIN, Act of 2009.
  This bill would amend title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 to rename part D, Achievement through Technology 
and Innovation, and reauthorize it through FY2014. I am very pleased 
that ATTAIN is supported by the Consortium for School Networking, 
International Society for Technology and Education, Software and 
Information Industry Association, State Educational Technology 
Directors Association, and many other education groups.
  In 2002, Congress enacted the No Child Left Behind Act to close the 
achievement gap between low-income, underperforming students and their 
more affluent peers. Without a renewed dedication to the quality of 
programs used in our schools, this goal, as well as providing an 
excellent education for students, will be difficult to achieve. While 
there is no question that we have made progress in recent years in 
advancing educational opportunity, I remain concerned about the number 
of schools that are failing to meet the performance criteria set out in 
the No Child Left Behind Act.
  The bill I am introducing represents a critical step forward in 
advancing learning technologies for millions of students across the 
country. Many schools lack the resources necessary for the 21st century 
classroom and to meet the needs and expectations of today's students. 
Furthermore, technology and e-learning in our schools are a must if we 
are to meet our Nation's science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics education needs and to provide students with the skills 
necessary to succeed in the 21st century knowledge-based, global 
economy.
  By authorizing the Enhancing Education Through Technology Act, EETT, 
as part of NCLB, Congress recognized that Federal leadership and 
investment is needed to serve as a catalyst for State and local 
education initiatives aimed at school innovation and improved student 
achievement. EETT has shown to be effective, particularly in my home 
State of New Mexico. As you know, many schools often do not have access 
to learning resources that enable their students to gain an academic 
background with the technological skills and knowledge necessary to 
succeed in college or the modern workplace. Through EETT, programs such 
as the Online Teaching and Learning Opportunities Year 2, have become 
bright spots of opportunity in some of our Nation's most isolated 
communities and have brought technical training, professional 
development and advanced technology resources to teachers and students. 
Notwithstanding this record of success, it is critical that states such 
as New Mexico have the opportunity to further advance the use of 
learning technologies to deliver innovative instruction and curriculum.
  To this end, the ATTAIN Act has three main objectives. First, to 
ensure that through technology every student has access to 
individualized, rigorous, and relevant learning to meet the goals of 
NCLB and to prepare all students for the 21st century. Second, to build 
upon and increase the use of evidence-based and innovative systemic 
school redesign that centers around technology. And finally, to provide 
meaningful professional development around technology that leads to 
changes in teaching and curriculum and improves student technology 
literacy.
  The future of our students' success depends on the quality of their 
educational experience. I want to thank Senators Burr, Kennedy, Hatch, 
and Murray for their leadership and commitment to improving education 
in this country. They remain tireless advocates for our Nation's 
students, and I am pleased to be working with them on this legislation 
as we begin reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act.
  This legislation is an integral step in advancing State and local 
learning technologies for millions of students across the country, and 
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

[[Page S4374]]

                                 S. 818

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

     SECTION 1. ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.

       Part D of title II of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6751 et seq.) is amended to 
     read as follows:

        ``PART D--ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

     ``SEC. 2401. SHORT TITLE.

       ``This part may be cited as the `Achievement Through 
     Technology and Innovation Act of 2009' or the `ATTAIN Act'.

     ``SEC. 2402. FINDINGS, PURPOSES, AND GOALS.

       ``(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       ``(1) Learning technologies in our Nation's schools are 
     critical--
       ``(A) to meet the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 
     2001 of raising student achievement, closing the achievement 
     gap, and ensuring high-quality teaching; and
       ``(B) to ensure that our Nation's students are prepared to 
     compete in the 21st century knowledge-based global economy.
       ``(2) Increased professional development opportunities are 
     needed if teachers are to be highly qualified and effective 
     in a 21st century classroom with today's digital native 
     students, including professional development opportunities--
       ``(A) in the use of learning technologies to deliver 
     innovative instruction and curriculum; and
       ``(B) to use data to inform instruction.
       ``(3) Scientifically based research, conducted with Federal 
     funding, demonstrates that systemic redesign initiatives 
     centered around technology have shown great promise in 
     improving teaching and learning, including the following:
       ``(A) In Utah, Missouri, and Maine, the eMINTS program 
     provides schools and teachers with educational technology 
     tools, curriculum, and more than 200 hours of professional 
     development to change how teachers teach and students learn. 
     In classrooms in the same school (1 with eMINTS and 1 
     without), the student achievement of students in the eMINTS 
     classroom was repeatedly over 10 percent higher than the 
     control classroom.
       ``(B) In West Virginia, students receiving access to online 
     foreign language courses performed at least as well as 
     students in face-to-face versions of the classes, providing 
     comparable high-quality instruction for students in rural 
     areas who otherwise would not have access to such courses.
       ``(C) In Michigan's Freedom to Learn technology program, 
     proficiency on Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) 
     tests of 8th grade mathematics increased from 31 percent in 
     2004 to 63 percent in 2005 in 1 middle school, and science 
     achievement increased from 68 percent of students proficient 
     in 2003 to 80 percent in 2004.
       ``(D) In Texas, the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP), 
     implemented in middle schools, demonstrated that discipline 
     referrals went down by more than \1/2\ with the changes in 
     teaching and learning; while in 1 school, the percentage of 
     6th graders who passed the reading portion of the 2006 State 
     assessment (TAKS) test was up 17 points from 2004, and the 
     percentage of 7th graders who passed the mathematics portion 
     of the TAKS rose 13 points. The students participating in the 
     Technology Immersion Pilot have become more responsible for 
     their learning, more engaged in the classroom, and much more 
     knowledgeable about the role of technology in problem solving 
     and learning.
       ``(E) In Iowa, after connecting teachers with sustainable 
     professional development and technology-based curriculum 
     interventions, students taught by such teachers had scores 
     that increased by 14 points in 8th grade mathematics, 16 
     points in 4th grade mathematics, and 13 points in 4th grade 
     reading compared with control groups.
       ``(4) Technology and e-learning in our Nation's schools are 
     necessary to meet our Nation's science, technology, 
     engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education needs and to 
     provide students with 21st century skills, including 
     technology literacy, information literacy, communication 
     skills, problem solving skills, and the ability for self-
     directed life-long learning.
       ``(5) A 2003 Department of Commerce report credits United 
     States industry's investments in information technology 
     between 1989 and 2001 with `producing positive and probably 
     lasting changes in the Nation's economic potential', but 
     finds United States education last in intensity of 
     information technology in 55 industry sectors.
       ``(6) Many of our Nation's schools lack the resources 
     necessary for the 21st century classroom and to meet the 
     needs and expectations of today's digital native students, 
     including--
       ``(A) software, digital content, and broadband resources; 
     and
       ``(B) other technologies.
       ``(7) According to the Department of Education's National 
     Educational Technology Trends Study (NETTS 2007), 
     insufficient or outdated technology presented a substantial 
     barrier to technology use for teaching and learning for more 
     than 40 percent of students, while the lack of support 
     specialists was a barrier to technology use for more than 50 
     percent of students.
       ``(8) Federal leadership and investment is needed to serve 
     as a catalyst for State and local education initiatives aimed 
     at school innovation and improved student achievement through 
     leveraging educational technologies. According to the 
     Department of Education's National Educational Technology 
     Trends Study (NETTS 2007), `Because funds generated locally 
     through bonds or taxes frequently have legal restrictions 
     requiring them to be spent on hardware and connectivity 
     purchases only, Federal and State funds supporting the use of 
     technology resources fill a critical gap.'.
       ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this part are the 
     following:
       ``(1) To ensure that through technology every student has 
     access to individualized, rigorous, and relevant learning to 
     meet the goals of this part, and to prepare all students and 
     the United States for the 21st century.
       ``(2) To evaluate, build upon, and increase the use of 
     evidence-based and innovative systemic school redesigns that 
     center on the use of technology that leads to school 
     improvement and increased student achievement.
       ``(3) To increase ongoing, meaningful professional 
     development around technology that--
       ``(A) leads to changes in teaching and curriculum;
       ``(B) improves student achievement, including in core 
     academic subjects;
       ``(C) improves student technology literacy; and
       ``(D) is aligned with professional development activities 
     supported under section 2123.
       ``(c) Goals.--The goals of this part are the following:
       ``(1) To improve student academic achievement with respect 
     to State academic standards through the use of professional 
     development and systemic school redesigns that center on the 
     use of technology and the applications of technology.
       ``(2) To improve professional development to ensure every 
     school administrator--
       ``(A) possesses the leadership skills necessary for 
     effective technology integration and every teacher possesses 
     the knowledge and skills to use technology across the 
     curriculum;
       ``(B) uses technology and curriculum redesign as key 
     components of changing teaching and learning and improving 
     student achievement;
       ``(C) uses technology for data analysis to enable 
     individualized instruction; and
       ``(D) uses technology to improve student technology 
     literacy.
       ``(3) To ensure that every student is technologically 
     literate by the end of 8th grade, regardless of the student's 
     race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, 
     or disability.
       ``(4) To improve student engagement, opportunity, 
     attendance, graduation rates, and technology access through 
     enhanced or redesigned curriculum or instruction.
       ``(5) To more effectively use data to inform instruction, 
     address individualized student needs, and support school 
     decisionmaking.

     ``SEC. 2403. DEFINITION OF STUDENT TECHNOLOGY LITERACY.

       ``In this part:
       ``(1) Local educational agency.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `local educational agency' 
     includes a consortium of local educational agencies.
       ``(B) Implementing regulations.--The Secretary shall 
     promulgate regulations implementing subparagraph (A).
       ``(2) Student technology literacy.--The term `student 
     technology literacy' means student knowledge and skills in 
     using contemporary information, communication, and learning 
     technologies in a manner necessary for successful employment, 
     life-long learning, and citizenship in the knowledge-based, 
     digital, and global 21st century, which includes, at a 
     minimum, the ability--
       ``(A) to effectively communicate and collaborate;
       ``(B) to analyze and solve problems;
       ``(C) to access, evaluate, manage, and create information 
     and otherwise gain information literacy;
       ``(D) to demonstrate creative thinking, construct 
     knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes; and
       ``(E) to do so in a safe and ethical manner.

     ``SEC. 2404. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out this part, $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, 
     and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 
     succeeding fiscal years.
       ``(b) Allocation of Funds Between State and Local and 
     National Initiatives.--Of the funds made available under 
     subsection (a) for a fiscal year--
       ``(1) 3 percent or $10,000,000, whichever amount is less, 
     shall be available to carry out subpart 2, of which--
       ``(A) $2,000,000 shall be available to carry out section 
     2411(1); and
       ``(B) 1.5 percent or $4,000,000, whichever amount is less, 
     shall be available to carry out section 2412; and
       ``(2) the remainder of the funds made available under 
     subsection (a) shall be available to carry out subpart 1.
       ``(c) Limitation.--
       ``(1) Local administrative costs.--Of the funds made 
     available to a local educational agency under this part for a 
     fiscal year, not more than 3 percent may be used by the local 
     educational agency for administrative costs.
       ``(2) State administrative costs.--Of the funds made 
     available to a State educational agency under section 
     2406(a)(1), not more than 60 percent may be used by the State 
     educational agency for administrative costs.

[[Page S4375]]

                  ``Subpart 1--State and Local Grants

     ``SEC. 2405. ALLOTMENT AND REALLOTMENT.

       ``(a) Reservations and Allotment.--From the amount made 
     available to carry out this subpart under section 2404(b)(2) 
     for a fiscal year--
       ``(1) the Secretary shall reserve--
       ``(A) \3/4\ of 1 percent for the Secretary of the Interior 
     for programs under this subpart for schools operated or 
     funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
       ``(B) \1/2\ of 1 percent to provide assistance under this 
     subpart to the outlying areas; and
       ``(2) subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall use 
     the remainder to award grants by allotting to each State 
     educational agency an amount that bears the same relationship 
     to such remainder for such year as the amount received under 
     part A of title I for such year by such State educational 
     agency bears to the amount received under such part for such 
     year by all State educational agencies.
       ``(b) Minimum Allotment.--The amount of any State 
     educational agency's allotment under subsection (a)(2) for 
     any fiscal year shall not be less than \1/2\ of 1 percent of 
     the amount made available for allotments to State educational 
     agencies under this part for such year.
       ``(c) Reallotment of Unused Funds.--If any State 
     educational agency does not apply for an allotment under this 
     subpart for a fiscal year, or does not use the State 
     educational agency's entire allotment under this subpart for 
     that fiscal year, the Secretary shall reallot the amount of 
     the State educational agency's allotment, or the unused 
     portion of the allotment, to the remaining State educational 
     agencies that use their entire allotments under this subpart 
     in accordance with this section.
       ``(d) State Educational Agency Defined.--In this section, 
     the term `State educational agency' does not include an 
     agency of an outlying area or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

     ``SEC. 2406. USE OF ALLOTMENT BY STATE.

       ``(a) In General.--Of the amount provided to a State 
     educational agency under section 2405(a)(2) for a fiscal 
     year--
       ``(1) the State educational agency may use not more than 5 
     percent of such amount or $100,000, whichever amount is 
     greater, to carry out activities under section 2408(a);
       ``(2) the State educational agency shall use 2.5 percent of 
     such amount or $50,000, whichever amount is greater, to carry 
     out activities under section 2408(b); and
       ``(3) the State educational agency shall distribute the 
     remainder as follows:
       ``(A) The State educational agency shall use 60 percent of 
     the remainder to award Improving Teaching and Learning 
     through Technology subgrants to local educational agencies 
     having applications approved under section 2409(c) for the 
     activities described in section 2410(b) by allotting to each 
     such local educational agency an amount that bears the same 
     relationship to 60 percent of the remainder for such year as 
     the amount received under part A of title I for such year by 
     such local educational agency bears to the amount received 
     under such part for such year by all local educational 
     agencies within the State, subject to subsection (b)(2).
       ``(B) The State educational agency shall use 40 percent of 
     the remainder to award Systemic School Redesign through 
     Technology Integration subgrants, through a State-determined 
     competitive process, to local educational agencies having 
     applications approved under section 2409(b) for the 
     activities described in section 2410(a).
       ``(b) Sufficient Amounts.--
       ``(1) Special rule.--In awarding subgrants under subsection 
     (a)(3)(B), the State educational agency shall--
       ``(A) ensure the subgrants are of sufficient size and scope 
     to be effective, consistent with the purposes of this part;
       ``(B) ensure subgrants are of sufficient duration to be 
     effective, consistent with the purposes of this part, 
     including by awarding subgrants for a period of not less than 
     2 years that may be renewed for not more than an additional 3 
     years;
       ``(C) give preference in the awarding of subgrants to local 
     educational agencies that serve schools in need of 
     improvement, as identified under section 1116, including 
     those schools with high populations of--
       ``(i) students with limited English proficiency;
       ``(ii) students with disabilities; or
       ``(iii) other subgroups of students who have not met the 
     State's student academic achievement standards; and
       ``(D) ensure an equitable distribution of subgrants under 
     subsection (a)(3)(B) among urban and rural areas of the 
     State, according to the demonstrated need for assistance 
     under this subpart of the local educational agencies serving 
     the areas.
       ``(2) Minimum subgrant.--The amount of any local 
     educational agency's subgrant under subsection (a)(3)(A) for 
     any fiscal year shall be not less than $3,000.
       ``(c) Reallotment of Unused Funds.--If any local 
     educational agency does not apply for a subgrant under 
     subsection (a)(3)(A) for a fiscal year, or does not use the 
     local educational agency's entire allotment under this 
     subpart for that fiscal year, the State shall reallot the 
     amount of the local educational agency's allotment, or the 
     unused portion of the allotment, to the remaining local 
     educational agencies that use their entire allotments under 
     this subpart in accordance with this section.

     ``SEC. 2407. STATE APPLICATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this subpart, a State educational agency shall submit to the 
     Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary 
     may specify, an application containing the contents described 
     in subsection (b) and such other information as the Secretary 
     may reasonably require.
       ``(b) Contents.--Each State educational agency application 
     submitted under subsection (a) shall include each of the 
     following:
       ``(1) A description of how the State educational agency 
     will support local educational agencies that receive 
     subgrants under this subpart in meeting, and help improve the 
     local educational agencies' capacity to meet, the purposes 
     and goals of this part and the requirements of this subpart, 
     including through technical assistance.
       ``(2) A description of the State educational agency's long-
     term goals and strategies for improving student academic 
     achievement, including in core academic subjects and in 
     student technology literacy, through the effective use of 
     technology in classrooms and schools throughout the State.
       ``(3) A description of the priority area upon which the 
     State educational agency will focus the State educational 
     agency's guidance, technical assistance, and other assistance 
     under this subpart, and other local support under this 
     subpart, such that the priority area shall be identified by 
     the State educational agency from among the core academic 
     subjects, grade levels, and student subgroup populations that 
     may be causing the most number of local educational agencies 
     in the State to not make adequate yearly progress, as defined 
     in section 1111(b)(2)(C).
       ``(4) A description of how the State educational agency 
     will support local educational agencies that receive 
     subgrants under this subpart in implementing, and will help 
     improve the local educational agency's capacity to implement, 
     professional development programs pursuant to section 
     2410(b)(1)(A).
       ``(5) A description of how the State educational agency 
     will ensure that teachers, paraprofessionals, library and 
     media personnel, and administrators served by the State 
     educational agency possess the knowledge and skills--
       ``(A) to use technology across the curriculum;
       ``(B) to use technology and curriculum redesign as key 
     components of changing teaching and learning and improving 
     student achievement;
       ``(C) to use technology for data analysis to enable 
     individualized instruction; and
       ``(D) to use technology to improve student technology 
     literacy.
       ``(6) A description of the process, activities, and 
     performance measures that the State educational agency will 
     use to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of activities 
     described in section 2408(b).
       ``(7) Identification of the State challenging academic 
     content standards and challenging student academic 
     achievement standards that the State educational agency will 
     use to ensure that each student is technology literate by the 
     end of the 8th grade consistent with the definition of 
     student technology literacy, and a description of how the 
     State educational agency will assess, not less than once by 
     the end of 8th grade, student performance in gaining 
     technology literacy only for the purpose of tracking progress 
     towards achieving the 8th grade technology literacy goal but 
     not for meeting adequate yearly progress goals, including 
     through embedding such assessment items in other State tests 
     or performance-based assessments portfolios, or through other 
     valid and reliable means, except that nothing in this subpart 
     shall be construed to require States to develop a separate 
     test to assess student technology literacy.
       ``(8) An assurance that financial assistance provided under 
     this subpart will supplement, and not supplant, State and 
     local funds.
       ``(9) A description of how the State educational agency 
     will, in providing technical and other assistance to local 
     educational agencies, give priority to those local 
     educational agencies identified by the State educational 
     agency as having the highest need for assistance under this 
     subpart, including those local educational agencies with the 
     highest percentage or number--
       ``(A) of students from families with incomes below the 
     poverty line;
       ``(B) of students not achieving at the State proficiency 
     level;
       ``(C) of student populations identified under section 
     2406(b)(1)(C); or
       ``(D) of schools identified as in need of improvement under 
     section 1116.
       ``(10) A description of how the State educational agency 
     will ensure that each subgrant awarded under section 
     2406(a)(3)(B) is of sufficient size, scope, and duration to 
     be effective as required under section 2406(b), and that such 
     subgrants are appropriately targeted and equitably 
     distributed as required under section 2406(b) to carry out 
     the purposes of this part effectively.
       ``(11) A description of how the State educational agency 
     consulted with local educational agencies in the development 
     of the State application.

     ``SEC. 2408. STATE ACTIVITIES.

       ``(a) Mandatory and Permissive Activities.--
       ``(1) Mandatory activities.--From funds made available 
     under section 2406(a)(1), a State educational agency shall 
     carry out each of the following activities:

[[Page S4376]]

       ``(A) Identify the State challenging academic content 
     standards and challenging student academic achievement 
     standards that the State educational agency will use to 
     ensure that each student is technology literate by the end of 
     the 8th grade consistent with the definition of student 
     technology literacy.
       ``(B) Assess not less than once by the end of the 8th grade 
     student performance in gaining technology literacy consistent 
     with subparagraph (A), including through embedding such 
     assessment items in other State tests, performance-based 
     assessments, or portfolios, or through other means, except 
     that such assessments shall be used only to track student 
     technology literacy and shall not be used to determine 
     adequate yearly progress.
       ``(C) Publish the results of the State educational agency's 
     technology literacy assessment administered under 
     subparagraph (B) not less than 3 months after the assessment 
     is administered such that the results are made widely 
     available to local educational agencies, parents, and 
     citizens, including through presentation on the Internet, and 
     transmit such results to the Secretary.
       ``(D) Provide guidance, technical assistance, and other 
     assistance in the priority area identified by the State 
     pursuant to section 2407(b)(3) to local educational agencies 
     receiving subgrants of less than $10,000 under section 
     2406(a)(3)(A) with a priority given to those local 
     educational agencies with the highest need for assistance 
     described in section 2407(b)(9).
       ``(E) Provide technical assistance to local educational 
     agencies, with a priority given to those local educational 
     agencies identified by the State as having the highest need 
     for assistance under this subpart, including those local 
     educational agencies with the highest percentage or number of 
     (i) students from families with incomes below the poverty 
     line, (ii) students not achieving at the State proficiency 
     level, (iii) student populations described in section 
     2406(b)(1)(C), and (iv) schools identified as in need of 
     improvement under section 1116, in the following ways:
       ``(i) Submitting applications for funding under this part.
       ``(ii) Carrying out activities authorized under section 
     2410, including implementation of systemic school redesigns 
     as described in section 2409(b).
       ``(iii) Developing local educational technology plans and 
     integrating such plans with the local educational agency's 
     plans for improving student achievement under sections 1111 
     and 1112, and, if applicable, section 1116.
       ``(F) Provide guidance, technical assistance, and other 
     assistance to local educational agencies regarding the local 
     educational agency's plans to assess, and, as needed, update 
     the computers, software, servers, and other technologies 
     throughout the local educational agency in terms of the 
     functional capabilities, age, and other specifications of the 
     technology, including to ensure such technologies can 
     process, at scale, new applications and online services such 
     as video conferencing, video streaming, virtual simulations, 
     and distance learning.
       ``(2) Permissive activities.--From funds made available 
     under section 2406(a)(1), a State educational agency may 
     carry out 1 or more of the following activities:
       ``(A) State leadership activities and technical assistance 
     that assist local educational agencies that receive subgrants 
     under this subpart in achieving the purposes and goals of 
     this part.
       ``(B) Assist local educational agencies that receive 
     subgrants under this subpart in the development and 
     utilization of research-based or innovative strategies for 
     the delivery of specialized or rigorous academic courses and 
     curricula through the use of technology, including distance 
     learning technologies.
       ``(C) Assisting local educational agencies that receive 
     subgrants under this subpart in providing sustained and 
     intensive, high-quality professional development pursuant to 
     section 2410(b)(1)(A), including through assistance in a 
     review of relevant research.
       ``(b) Activities Relating to Research.--From funds made 
     available under section 2406(a)(2), a State educational 
     agency shall carry out 1 or more of the following activities:
       ``(1) Conduct scientifically based or other rigorous 
     research to evaluate the impact of 1 or more programs or 
     activities carried out under subsection (a) in meeting the 
     purposes and goals of this part.
       ``(2) Provide technical assistance to local educational 
     agencies in carrying out evaluation research activities as 
     required under section 2410(a)(1).
       ``(3) Create 1 or more evaluation research protocols, 
     designs, performance measurement systems, or other tools to 
     assist local educational agencies in carrying out evaluation 
     activities as required under section 2410(a)(1).
       ``(4) Collect and disseminate the findings of the 
     evaluation research activities carried out by local 
     educational agencies under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).

     ``SEC. 2409. LOCAL APPLICATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--Each local educational agency desiring a 
     subgrant from a State educational agency under this subpart 
     shall submit to the State educational agency an application 
     containing a new or updated local long-range strategic 
     educational technology plan, and such other information as 
     the State educational agency may reasonably require, at such 
     time and in such manner as the State educational agency may 
     require. The application shall contain each of the following:
       ``(1) A description of how the local educational agency 
     will align and coordinate the local educational agency's use 
     of funds under this subpart with--
       ``(A) the school district technology plan;
       ``(B) the school district plans and activities for 
     improving student achievement, including plans and activities 
     under sections 1111 and 1112, and sections 1116 and 2123, as 
     applicable; and
       ``(C) funds available from other Federal, State, and local 
     sources.
       ``(2) An assurance that financial assistance provided under 
     this subpart will supplement, and not supplant other funds 
     available to carry out activities assisted under this 
     section.
       ``(3) A description of the process used to assess and, as 
     needed, update the computers, software, servers, and other 
     technologies throughout the local educational agency in terms 
     of their functional capabilities, age, and other 
     specifications, in order to ensure technologies can process, 
     at scale, new applications and online services, such as video 
     conferencing, video streaming, virtual simulations, and 
     distance learning courses.
       ``(4) Such other information as the State educational 
     agency may reasonably require.
       ``(b) Competitive Grants; Systemic School Redesign Through 
     Technology Integration.--In addition to components included 
     in subsection (a), a local educational agency submitting an 
     application for a subgrant under section 2406(a)(3)(B) shall 
     submit to the State educational agency an application 
     containing each of the following:
       ``(1) A description of how the local educational agency 
     will use the subgrant funds to implement systemic school 
     redesign, which is a comprehensive set of programs, 
     practices, and technologies that--
       ``(A) collectively lead to school or school district change 
     and improvement, including in the use of technology and in 
     improved student achievement; and
       ``(B) incorporate all of the following elements:
       ``(i) Reform or redesign of curriculum, instruction, 
     assessment, use of data, or other standards-based school or 
     classroom practices through the use of technology in order to 
     increase student learning opportunity, student technology 
     literacy, student access to technology, and student 
     engagement in learning.
       ``(ii) Improvement of educator quality, knowledge and 
     skills through ongoing, sustainable, timely, and contextual 
     professional development described in section 2410(b)(1)(A).
       ``(iii) Development of student technology literacy and 
     other skills necessary for 21st century learning and success.
       ``(iv) Ongoing use of formative assessments and other 
     timely data sources and data systems to more effectively 
     identify individual student learning needs and guide 
     personalized instruction, learning, and appropriate 
     interventions that address individual student learning needs.
       ``(v) Engagement of school district leaders, school 
     leaders, and classroom educators.
       ``(vi) Programs, practices, and technologies that are 
     research-based or innovative, such that research-based 
     systemic redesigns are based on a review of the best 
     available research evidence, and innovative systemic 
     redesigns are based on development and use of new redesigns, 
     programs, practices, and technologies.
       ``(2) An assurance that the local educational agency will 
     use not less than 25 percent of the subgrant funds to 
     implement a program of professional development described in 
     section 2410(b)(1)(A).
       ``(3) A description of how the local educational agency 
     will evaluate the impact of 1 or more programs or activities 
     carried out under this subpart in meeting 1 or more of the 
     purposes or goals of this part.
       ``(c) Formula Grants; Improving Teaching and Learning 
     Through Technology.--In addition to components included in 
     subsection (a), a local educational agency that submits an 
     application for a subgrant under section 2406(a)(3)(A) shall 
     submit to the State educational agency an application 
     containing each of the following:
       ``(1) An assurance that the local educational agency will 
     use not less than 40 percent of the subgrant funds for--
       ``(A) professional development described in section 
     2410(b)(1)(A); and
       ``(B) technology tools, applications, and other resources 
     related specifically to such professional development 
     activities.
       ``(2) A description of how the local educational agency 
     will implement a program of professional development required 
     under paragraph (1)(A).
       ``(3) A description of how the local educational agency 
     will employ technology tools, applications, and other 
     resources in professional development and to improve student 
     learning and achievement in the area of priority identified 
     by the local educational agency pursuant to paragraph (4).
       ``(4) A description of the priority area upon which the 
     local educational agency will focus the subgrant funds 
     provided under this subpart, such that such priority area 
     shall be identified from among the core academic subjects, 
     grade levels, and student subgroup populations in which the 
     most number of students served by the local educational 
     agency are not proficient.
       ``(d) Combined Applications.--A local educational agency 
     that submits an application to the State educational agency 
     for subgrant

[[Page S4377]]

     funds awarded under section 2406(a)(3)(B) may, upon notice to 
     the State educational agency, submit a single application 
     that will also be considered by the State educational agency 
     as an application for subgrant funds awarded under section 
     2406(a)(3)(A), if the application addresses each application 
     requirement under subsections (a), (b), and (c).
       ``(e) Consortium Applications.--For any fiscal year, a 
     local educational agency applying for a subgrant described in 
     section 2406(a)(3) may apply as part of a consortium in which 
     more than 1 local educational agency jointly submits a 
     subgrant application under this subpart, except that no local 
     educational agency may receive more than 1 subgrant under 
     this subpart.

     ``SEC. 2410. LOCAL ACTIVITIES.

       ``(a) Competitive Grants; Systemic School Redesign Through 
     Technology Integration.--From subgrant funds made available 
     to a local educational agency under section 2406(a)(3)(B), 
     the local educational agency--
       ``(1) shall use not less than 5 percent of such subgrant 
     funds to evaluate the impact of 1 or more programs or 
     activities carried out under the subgrant in meeting 1 or 
     more of the purposes or goals of this part as approved by the 
     State educational agency as part of the local application 
     described in section 2409(b)(3); and
       ``(2) shall use the remaining funds to implement a plan for 
     systemic school redesign, which may take place in 1 or more 
     schools served by the local educational agency or across all 
     schools served by the local educational agency, in accordance 
     with section 2409(b)(1), including each of the following:
       ``(A) Using not less than 25 percent of subgrant funds to 
     improve teacher quality and skills through support for the 
     following:
       ``(i) Professional development activities, as described in 
     subsection (b)(1)(A).
       ``(ii) The acquisition and implementation of technology 
     tools, applications, and other resources to be employed in 
     the professional development activities described in clause 
     (i).
       ``(B) Acquiring and effectively implementing technology 
     tools, applications, and other resources in conjunction with 
     enhancing or redesigning the curriculum or instruction in 
     order to--
       ``(i) increase student learning opportunity or access, 
     student engagement in learning, or student attendance or 
     graduation rates;
       ``(ii) improve student achievement in 1 or more of the core 
     academic subjects; and
       ``(iii) improve student technology literacy.
       ``(C) Acquiring and effectively implementing technology 
     tools, applications, and other resources to--
       ``(i) conduct ongoing formative assessments and use other 
     timely data sources and data systems to more effectively 
     identify individual student learning needs and guide 
     personalized instruction, learning, and appropriate 
     interventions that address those individualized student 
     learning needs;
       ``(ii) support individualized student learning, including 
     through instructional software and digital content that 
     supports the learning needs of each student, or through 
     providing access to high-quality courses and instructors, 
     including mathematics, science, and foreign language courses, 
     often not available except through technology and online 
     learning, especially in rural and high-poverty schools; and
       ``(iii) conduct such other activities as appropriate 
     consistent with the goals and purposes of research-based and 
     innovative systemic school redesign, including activities 
     that increase parental involvement through improved 
     communication with teachers and access to student assignments 
     and grades.
       ``(b) Formula Grants; Improving Teaching and Learning 
     Through Technology.--From funds made available to a local 
     educational agency under section 2406(a)(3)(A), the local 
     educational agency shall carry out activities to improve 
     student learning, student technology literacy, and 
     achievement in the area of priority identified by the local 
     educational agency under section 2409(c)(4), including each 
     of the following:
       ``(1) The local educational agency shall use not less than 
     40 percent of subgrant funds for professional development 
     activities that are aligned with activities supported under 
     section 2123 to improve teacher quality and skills through 
     support for the following:
       ``(A) Training of teachers, paraprofessionals, library and 
     media personnel, and administrators, which--
       ``(i) shall include the development, acquisition, or 
     delivery of--

       ``(I) training that is ongoing, sustainable, timely, and 
     directly related to up-to-date teaching content areas;
       ``(II) training in strategies and pedagogy in the core 
     academic subjects that involve use of technology and 
     curriculum redesign as key components of changing teaching 
     and learning and improving student achievement;
       ``(III) training in the use of technology to ensure every 
     educator is technologically literate, including possessing 
     the knowledge and skills--

       ``(aa) to use technology across the curriculum;
       ``(bb) to use technology and curriculum redesign as key 
     components of innovating teaching and learning and improving 
     student achievement;
       ``(cc) to use technology for data analysis to enable 
     individualized instruction; and
       ``(dd) to use technology to improve student technology 
     literacy; and

       ``(IV) training that includes ongoing communication and 
     follow-up with instructors, facilitators, and peers; and

       ``(ii) may include--

       ``(I) the use of instructional technology specialists, 
     mentors, or coaches to work directly with teachers, including 
     through the preparation of 1 or more teachers as technology 
     leaders or master teachers who are provided with the means to 
     serve as experts and train other teachers in the effective 
     use of technology; and
       ``(II) the use of technology, such as distance learning and 
     online virtual educator-to-educator peer communities, as a 
     means for delivering professional development.

       ``(B) The acquisition and implementation of technology 
     tools, applications, and other resources to be employed in 
     the professional development activities described in 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(2) The local educational agency shall use the funds that 
     remain after application of paragraph (1) to acquire or 
     implement technology tools, applications, and other resources 
     to improve student learning, student technology literacy, and 
     student achievement in the area of priority identified by the 
     local educational agency, including through 1 or more of the 
     following:
       ``(A) Conducting ongoing formative assessment and using 
     other timely data sources and data systems to more 
     effectively identify individual student learning needs and 
     guide personalized instruction, learning, and appropriate 
     interventions that address those individualized student 
     learning needs.
       ``(B) Supporting individualized student learning, including 
     through instructional software and digital content that 
     supports the learning needs of each student served by the 
     local educational agency under the subgrant, or through 
     providing access to high-quality courses and instructors, 
     including mathematics, science, and foreign language courses, 
     often not available except through technology such as online 
     learning, especially in rural and high-poverty schools.
       ``(C) Increasing parental involvement through improved 
     communication with teachers and access to student assignments 
     and grades.
       ``(D) Enhancing accountability, instruction, and data-
     driven decisionmaking through data systems that allow for 
     management, analysis, and disaggregating of student, teacher, 
     and school data.
       ``(E) Such other activities as are appropriate and 
     consistent with the goals and purposes of this part.
       ``(c) Multiple Grants.--A local educational agency that 
     receives a grant under subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) 
     of section 2406(a)(3) may use all such grant funds for 
     activities authorized under subsection (a).

                    ``Subpart 2--National Activities

     ``SEC. 2411. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

       ``From the amount made available to carry out national 
     activities under section 2404(b)(1) (other than the amounts 
     made available to carry out subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
     section 2404(b)(1)), the Secretary, working through and in 
     coordination with the Director of the Office of Educational 
     Technology and collaborating, as appropriate, with the 
     National Center for Achievement Through Technology authorized 
     under section 2412, shall carry out the following activities:
       ``(1) National report.--The Secretary shall annually 
     conduct and publish a national report on student technology 
     literacy to determine the extent to which students have 
     gained student technology literacy by the end of the 8th 
     grade. In conducting the study, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) consult first with experts and stakeholders, 
     including educators and education leaders, education 
     technology experts from education and industry, and the 
     business and higher education communities seeking secondary 
     school graduates with student technology literacy; and
       ``(B) employ a random stratified sample methodology of 
     student technology literacy performance using a cost-
     effective assessment that is a readily available, valid, and 
     reliable assessment instrument.
       ``(2) Student technology literacy.--The Secretary shall 
     publish each year the results of the State technology 
     literacy assessments carried out under section 2408(a)(1)(C).
       ``(3) National education technology plan.--Based on the 
     Nation's progress and an assessment by the Secretary of the 
     continuing and future needs of the Nation's schools in 
     effectively using technology to provide all students the 
     opportunity to meet challenging State academic content and 
     student academic achievement standards, the Secretary shall 
     update and publish, in a form readily accessible to the 
     public, a national long-range technology plan not less often 
     than once every 5 years, and shall implement such plan.
       ``(4) Other national activities.--From the funds remaining 
     after carrying out paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the 
     Secretary shall carry out 1 or more of the following 
     activities:
       ``(A) Support efforts to increase student technology 
     literacy, including through outreach to education, business, 
     and elected leaders aimed at building understanding of the 
     knowledge and skills students need to succeed in the 21st 
     century through the use of technology for life-long learning, 
     citizenship, and workplace success.
       ``(B) Support the work of the National Center for 
     Achievement Through Technology in

[[Page S4378]]

     serving as a national resource for the improvement of 
     technology implementation in education through identification 
     and dissemination of promising practices and exemplary 
     programs that effectively use educational technologies.
       ``(C) Support efforts to increase the capacity of State and 
     local education officials to budget for technology 
     acquisition and implementation, including taking into account 
     the long-term costs of such acquisition and implementation, 
     how technology investments may increase effectiveness and 
     efficiencies that ultimately save other educational costs or 
     provide improved outcomes, and how spending for technology in 
     education shall be considered in a comprehensive cost-benefit 
     analysis and not simply as a supplemental expense.
       ``(D) Support staff at the Department and other Federal 
     agencies in their understanding of education technology, the 
     role of technology in Federal education programs, and how 
     Federal grantees can be supported in integrating education 
     technologies into the grantees' programs as appropriate.
       ``(E) Convene stakeholders in an effort to outline and 
     support a national research and development agenda aimed at 
     supporting public-private partnerships to leverage evolving 
     technologies to meet evolving educational needs.
       ``(F) Convene practitioners and leaders from local and 
     State education, business and industry, higher education, or 
     other stakeholder communities--
       ``(i) to carry out the activities under this paragraph, 
     including convening an annual forum on leadership and 
     classroom technology best practices;
       ``(ii) to otherwise address challenges and opportunities in 
     the use of technology to improve teaching, learning, teacher 
     quality, student achievement, student technology literacy, 
     and the efficiency and productivity of the education 
     enterprise; and
       ``(iii) to otherwise support school innovation and our 
     Nation's competitiveness.
       ``(G) Support efforts to ensure teachers and other 
     educators have the knowledge and skills to teach in the 21st 
     century through the use of technology, including by providing 
     assistance to and sharing information with State accrediting 
     agencies, colleges of teacher education, and other 
     educational institutions and government entities involved in 
     the preparation and certification of teachers, to ensure such 
     teachers possess the knowledge and skills prior to entering 
     the teaching force.
       ``(H) Support efforts to assist principals, 
     superintendents, and other senior school and school district 
     administrators in adapting to, and leading their schools 
     with, 21st century technology tools and 21st century 
     knowledge and skills, including the following:
       ``(i) Developing a blueprint for the job skills required 
     and the coursework and experience necessary to be prepared 
     for school leadership.
       ``(ii) Supporting the development of professional 
     development and training programs that help education leaders 
     obtain the knowledge and skills, including through 
     collaborative efforts with up-to-date programs and 
     institutions.
       ``(iii) Developing materials, resources, self-assessments, 
     and other tools to meet the activities described in clauses 
     (i) and (ii).
       ``(I) Undertake other activities that--
       ``(i) lead to the improvement of--

       ``(I) our Nation's educational system in using educational 
     technologies to improve teaching, learning, and student 
     achievement; and
       ``(II) student technology literacy and related 21st century 
     college preparedness and workforce competitiveness; and

       ``(ii) complement other such efforts undertaken by public 
     and private agencies and organizations.

     ``SEC. 2412. NATIONAL CENTER FOR ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH 
                   TECHNOLOGY.

       ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish 
     a National Center for Achievement Through Technology that--
       ``(1) provides national leadership regarding improvement in 
     the use of technology in education, with a focus on 
     elementary and secondary education, including technology's 
     role in improving--
       ``(A) student achievement;
       ``(B) student technology literacy; and
       ``(C) teacher quality;
       ``(2) serves as a national resource for the improvement of 
     technology implementation in education through identification 
     and dissemination of promising practices and exemplary 
     programs that effectively use educational technologies to 
     improve teaching and learning, teacher quality, student 
     engagement and opportunity, student achievement and 
     technology literacy, and the efficiency and productivity of 
     the education enterprise, including serving as a national 
     resource for the related research and research on the 
     conditions and practices that support the effective use of 
     technology in education; and
       ``(3) provides an annual report to Congress that--
       ``(A) synthesizes the promising practices and exemplary 
     programs that effectively use educational technologies to 
     improve the teaching and learning described in paragraph (2); 
     and
       ``(B) includes the related research and research on the 
     conditions and practices that support the effective use of 
     technology in education described in paragraph (2).
       ``(b) Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--From amounts made available under 
     section 2404(b)(1)(B), the Director of the Office of 
     Educational Technology shall award a grant, on a competitive 
     basis, to an eligible entity to enable the eligible entity to 
     establish a National Center for Achievement Through 
     Technology (in this section referred to as the `Center').
       ``(2) Coordination with the institute.--The Director of the 
     Office of Educational Technology shall award the grant under 
     paragraph (1) in coordination with the Director of the 
     Institute of Education Sciences, but the Director of the 
     Office of Educational Technology shall administer the grant 
     program under this section.
       ``(3) Definition of eligible entity.--In this section the 
     term `eligible entity' means an entity that is--
       ``(A) a research organization or research institution with 
     education technology as one of the organization or 
     institution's primary areas of focus; or
       ``(B) a partnership that consists of a research 
     organization or research institution described in 
     subparagraph (A) and 1 or more education institutions or 
     agencies, nonprofit organizations, or research organizations 
     or institutions.
       ``(4) Duration.--The grant awarded under this section shall 
     be not less than 2 years in duration, and shall be renewable 
     at the discretion of the Director of the Office of 
     Educational Technology for not more than an additional 3 
     years.
       ``(5) Peer review.--In awarding the grant under this 
     section, the Director of the Office of Educational Technology 
     shall consider the recommendations of a peer review panel, 
     which shall be composed of representatives of the following 
     stakeholder communities:
       ``(A) Teachers and other educators who use technologies.
       ``(B) Local and State education leaders who administer 
     programs employing technologies.
       ``(C) Businesses that develop educational technologies.
       ``(D) Researchers who study educational technologies.
       ``(E) Related education, educational technology, and 
     business organizations.
       ``(c) National Center for Achievement Through Technology 
     Activities.--The Center shall carry out the following 
     activities:
       ``(1) Promising practices, exemplary programs and 
     research.--The Center shall identify and compile promising 
     practices, exemplary programs, quantitative and qualitative 
     research, and other information and evidence demonstrating--
       ``(A) the broad uses and positive impacts of technology in 
     elementary and secondary education; and
       ``(B) the factors and steps important to technology's 
     improvement and to the effective use of technology with 
     students so that specific technologies are considered in the 
     context of the comprehensive educational program or practice 
     in which the technologies are used--
       ``(i) across a curriculum to improve teaching, learning, 
     and student achievement, including in the core academic 
     subjects;
       ``(ii) to support the teaching and learning of student 
     technology literacy;
       ``(iii) for formative and summative assessment, including 
     to inform instruction and data-driven decisionmaking, to 
     individualize instruction, and for accountability purposes;
       ``(iv) to improve student learning and achievement, 
     including through--

       ``(I) improving student interest and engagement;
       ``(II) increasing student access to courses and instructors 
     through distance learning and expanded student learning time; 
     and
       ``(III) individualizing curriculum and instruction to meet 
     unique student learning needs, learning styles, and pace;

       ``(v) to improve teacher quality, including through 
     professional development and timely and ongoing training and 
     support; and
       ``(vi) to improve the efficiency and productivity of the 
     classroom and school enterprise, including through data 
     management and analysis, resource management, and 
     communications; and
       ``(C) the policies, budgeting, technology infrastructure, 
     conditions, practices, teacher training, school leadership, 
     and other implementation factors important to improving the 
     effectiveness of technology in elementary and secondary 
     education as outlined in subparagraph (B), including in--
       ``(i) the knowledge and skills teachers and other educators 
     need to teach in the 21st century through the use of 
     technology, including knowledge and skills necessary--

       ``(I) to use technology and curriculum redesign as key 
     components of changing teaching and learning;
       ``(II) to use technology for data analysis to enable 
     individualized instruction; and
       ``(III) to use technology to improve student technology 
     literacy;

       ``(ii) the knowledge and skills principals, 
     superintendents, and other senior school and school district 
     administrators need to effectively lead in 21st century 
     schools using technology, including the job skills required 
     and the coursework and experience necessary to be prepared 
     for school leadership; and
       ``(iii) the budgeting for technology acquisition and 
     implementation, including taking into account the long-term 
     costs of such acquisition and implementation, how technology 
     investments may increase effectiveness and efficiencies that 
     ultimately save

[[Page S4379]]

     other educational costs or provide improved outcomes, and how 
     spending for technology in education shall be considered in a 
     comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and not simply as a 
     supplemental expense.
       ``(2) Original research.--The Center may conduct, directly 
     or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, 
     original research as necessary to fill important gaps in 
     research necessary to address the areas described in 
     paragraph (1) with a focus on the policies, budgeting, 
     technology infrastructure, conditions, practices, teacher 
     training, school leadership, and other implementation factors 
     important to improving the effectiveness of technology in 
     elementary and secondary education.
       ``(3) Outreach.--The Center shall consult with appropriate 
     stakeholders, including at least the stakeholders described 
     in subsection (b)(5), in determining priorities for the 
     activities described in paragraph (1), in gathering 
     information pursuant to paragraph (1), and in determining the 
     need for original research pursuant to paragraph (2). The 
     Center shall establish 1 or more informal advisory groups to 
     provide the consultation.
       ``(4) Dissemination.--The Center shall disseminate widely 
     the information identified and compiled pursuant to paragraph 
     (1) to teachers and other educators, local, regional, State, 
     and Federal education leaders, public and elected officials, 
     the network of federally funded educational resource centers 
     and labs, businesses that develop educational technologies, 
     colleges of teacher education and teacher accrediting 
     agencies, researchers who study educational technologies, 
     other interested stakeholders, and related educator, 
     education leader, and business organizations, including 
     through--
       ``(A) development and ongoing update of a database accessed 
     through the Internet;
       ``(B) development, distribution, and delivery of reports, 
     tools, best practices, conference presentations, and other 
     publications; and
       ``(C) partnerships with organizations representing 
     stakeholders, including educators, education leaders, and 
     technology providers.
       ``(d) Center Operations.--
       ``(1) Grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.--As 
     appropriate, the Center shall award grants to, or enter into 
     contracts or cooperative agreements with, individuals, public 
     or private institutions, agencies, organizations, or 
     consortia of such institutions, agencies, or organizations to 
     carry out the activities of the Center, including awarding a 
     grant or entering into a contract or cooperative agreement to 
     disseminate the Center's findings pursuant to subsection 
     (c)(4).
       ``(2) Report.--The Center shall submit an annual report on 
     March 1 to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and 
     Labor of the House of Representatives that provides a summary 
     synthesis of promising and exemplary practices and programs, 
     and related research, that effectively use educational 
     technologies to improve teaching and learning as described in 
     subsection (c)(1), including the conditions and practices 
     that support the effective use of technology in education, in 
     order to inform Federal education policymaking and 
     oversight.''.
                                 ______