[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 16 (Monday, April 24, 2006)]
[Pages 731-733]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Executive Order 13398--National Mathematics Advisory Panel

April 18, 2006

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and 
the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as 
follows:
    Section 1. Policy. To help keep America competitive, support 
American talent and creativity, encourage innovation throughout the 
American economy, and help State, local, territorial, and tribal 
governments give the Nation's children and youth the education they need 
to succeed, it shall be the policy of the United States to foster 
greater knowledge of and improved performance in mathematics among 
American students.
    Sec. 2. Establishment and Mission of Panel. (a) There is hereby 
established within the Department of Education (Department) the National 
Mathematics Advisory Panel (Panel).
    (b) The Panel shall advise the President and the Secretary of 
Education (Secretary) consistent with this order on means to implement 
effectively the policy set forth in section 1, including with respect to 
the conduct, evaluation, and effective use of the results of research 
relating to proven-effective and evidence-based mathematics instruction.
    Sec. 3. Membership and Chair of Panel. (a) The Panel shall consist 
of no more than 30 members as follows:
    (i) no more than 20 members from among individuals not employed by 
the Federal Government, appointed by the Secretary for such terms as the 
Secretary may specify at the time of appointment; and
    (ii) no more than 10 members from among officers and employees of 
Federal agencies, designated by the Secretary after consultation with 
the heads of the agencies concerned.
    (b) From among the members appointed under paragraph (3)(a)(i) of 
this order, the Secretary shall designate a Chair of the Panel.
    (c) Subject to the direction of the Secretary, the Chair of the 
Panel shall convene and preside at meetings of the Panel, determine its 
agenda, direct its work and, as appropriate to deal with particular 
subject matters, establish and direct the work of subgroups of the Panel 
that shall consist exclusively of members of the Panel.
    Sec. 4. Report to the President on Strengthening Mathematics 
Education. In carrying out subsection 2(b) of this order, the Panel 
shall submit to the President, through the Secretary, a preliminary 
report not later than January 31, 2007, and a final report not later 
than February 28, 2008. Both reports shall, at a minimum, contain 
recommendations, based on the best available scientific evidence, on the 
following:
    (a) the critical skills and skill progressions for students to 
acquire competence in algebra and readiness for higher levels of 
mathematics;

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    (b) the role and appropriate design of standards and assessment in 
promoting mathematical competence;
    (c) the processes by which students of various abilities and 
backgrounds learn mathematics;
    (d) instructional practices, programs, and materials that are 
effective for improving mathematics learning;
    (e) the training, selection, placement, and professional development 
of teachers of mathematics in order to enhance students' learning of 
mathematics;
    (f) the role and appropriate design of systems for delivering 
instruction in mathematics that combine the different elements of 
learning processes, curricula, instruction, teacher training and 
support, and standards, assessments, and accountability;
    (g) needs for research in support of mathematics education;
    (h) ideas for strengthening capabilities to teach children and youth 
basic mathematics, geometry, algebra, and calculus and other 
mathematical disciplines;
    (i) such other matters relating to mathematics education as the 
Panel deems appropriate; and
    (j) such other matters relating to mathematics education as the 
Secretary may require.
    Sec. 5. Additional Reports. The Secretary may require the Panel, in 
carrying out subsection 2(b) of this order, to submit such additional 
reports relating to the policy set forth in section 1 as the Secretary 
deems appropriate.
    Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented in a 
manner consistent with applicable law, including section 103 of the 
Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3403), and subject 
to the availability of appropriations.
    (b) The Department shall provide such administrative support and 
funding for the Panel as the Secretary determines appropriate. To the 
extent permitted by law, and where practicable, agencies shall, upon 
request by the Secretary, provide assistance to the Panel.
    (c) The Panel shall obtain information and advice as appropriate in 
the course of its work from:
    (i) officers or employees of Federal agencies, unless otherwise 
directed by the head of the agency concerned;

    (ii) State, local, territorial, and tribal officials;

    (iii) experts on matters relating to the policy set forth in section 
1;

    (iv) parents and teachers; and

    (v) such other individuals as the Panel deems appropriate or as the 
Secretary may direct.

    (d) Members of the Panel who are not officers or employees of the 
United States shall serve without compensation and may receive travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by 
law for persons serving intermittently in Government service (5 U.S.C. 
5701-5707), consistent with the availability of funds.

    (e) Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 
U.S.C. App.) (the ``Act''), may apply to the administration of any 
portion of this order, any functions of the President under that Act, 
except that of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the 
Secretary in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Administrator 
of General Services.

    (f) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or 
benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable by any party at law or 
in equity against the United States, its departments, agencies, 
entities, officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    Sec. 7.  Termination. Unless hereafter extended by the President, 
this Advisory Panel shall terminate 2 years after the date of this 
order.

                                                George W. Bush

 The White House,
 April 18, 2006.

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 20, 
2006]

Note: This Executive order was published in the Federal Register on 
April 21.

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