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H.R. 4366 — what changed

Strengthening Education through Research Act

From Reported in House to Engrossed in House. 7 sections amended between Reported in House and Engrossed in House.

Sec. 102 Definitions

Section 102 (20 U.S.C. 9501) is amended—

(1)
in paragraph (5), by striking “Affairs” and inserting “Education”;
(2)
in paragraph (10)—
(A)
changed by inserting “or other information, in a timely manner and” after “evaluations,” “evaluations,”; and
(B)
by inserting “school leaders,” after “teachers,”;
(3)
in paragraph (12), by inserting “, school leaders,” after “teachers”;
(4)
by striking paragraph (13);
(5)
by redesignating paragraphs (14) and (15) as paragraphs (13) and (14), respectively;
(6)
by inserting after paragraph (14), as so redesignated, the following:

“(15) 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)).”

(7)
by amending paragraph (18) to read as follows:

“(18) 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.”

(8)
in paragraph (20), by striking “scientifically based research standards” and inserting “the principles of scientific research”; and
(9)
by adding at the end the following:

“(24) 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.”

Sec. 111 Establishment

Section 111 (20 U.S.C. 9511) is amended—

(1)
in subsection (b)(2)—
(A)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—
(i)
changed by striking “and wide dissemination activities” and inserting “and, consistent with section 114(j), wide dissemination and utilization activities” activities”; and
(ii)
by striking “(including in technology areas)”; and
(B)
in subparagraph (B), by inserting “disability,” after “gender,”.

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 so redesignated, 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 so redesignated, 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 so redesignated—
(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)
changed by redesignating paragraphs (10) and (11) in paragraph (7), as paragraphs (9) so redesignated, by inserting “and which may include research on social and (10), respectively;emotional learning,” after “gap,”;
(J)
by inserting after paragraph (7), as so redesignated, 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)
added by redesignating paragraphs (10) and (11) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively;
(L)
renumbered was (3)(12) by amending paragraph (9), as so redesignated, to read as follows:

“(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)
renumbered was (3)(13) in paragraph (10), as so redesignated, by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and
(N)
renumbered was (3)(14) 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 amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

“(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), as so amended, 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.”

(5)
in subsection (d), as redesignated by paragraph (3)—
(A)
by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

“(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 paragraph (2), (3), and (4), respectively;
(D)
by amending paragraph (2), as so redesignated—
(i)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “5 additional” and inserting “2 additional”;
(ii)
in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and
(iii)
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 so redesignated, by striking “paragraphs (4) and (5)” and inserting “paragraph (2)”; and
(F)
by amending paragraph (4), as so redesignated, to read as follows:

“(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, and socioeconomic background.”

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) and redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C);
(v)
changed by striking subparagraph subparagraphs (E) and (G), and redesignating subparagraphs subparagraph (F) and (G) as subparagraphs (D) and (H), respectively; andsubparagraph (D);
(vi)
added in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by striking “and” at the end; and
(vii)
renumbered was (3)(2)(7) by inserting after subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, 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 about 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.”

(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).”

(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 “Director” and inserting “Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner”;
(B)
by striking “contracts” and inserting “grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements”; and
(C)
by inserting “not more than” before “10 regional”;
(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 contract 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. Such individuals may include members of the regional advisory committee for the region under section 206(a).

“(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, including the relevant results of the region’s assessment under section 206(e); 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 center is located, and with comprehensive centers located outside of its region, as appropriate.

“(4) Outreach

“(A) In general—In conducting competitions for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this section, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall—

“(i) by making information and technical assistance relating to the competition widely available, actively encourage eligible applicants to compete for such an award; and

“(ii) 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.

“(B) Regional advisory committees—The individuals described in subparagraph (A)(ii) may include members of the regional advisory committees established under section 206(a).

“(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—

“(A) the requirements of the performance management system described in section 185; and

changed “(B) the relevant results of the regional assessments under section 206(e) .206(e).

“(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 to an eligible applicant that previously established a regional educational laboratory under this section, the Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner shall consider the results of such laboratory’s summative evaluation under subsection (i)(2).

“(f) Mission—Each regional educational laboratory established under this section shall—

“(1) conduct applied research, development, 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, 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. Such representatives and other individuals may include members of the regional advisory committee for the region established under section 206(a).

“(3) Ensure research and related products are relevant and responsive to the needs of the region, including by using the relevant results of the region’s assessment under section 206(e).

“(h) Governing board

“(1) In general—Each regional educational laboratory established under this section may establish a governing board to improve the management of activities that the laboratory carries out under this section.

“(2) Board duties—A Board established under paragraph (1) shall coordinate and align its work with the work of the regional advisory committee for the region established under section 206.

“(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, which 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, which 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 the Strengthening Education through Research 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 so redesignated, by inserting “and local” after “achieve State”;
(8)
by amending subsection (m), as so redesignated, to read as follows:

“(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.”

(9)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(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. 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)
added by striking “and” at the end of subparagraph (I);
(E)
renumbered was (7)(5) by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K);
(F)
renumbered was (7)(6) 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)
renumbered was (7)(7) in subparagraph (K), as so redesignated—
(i)
renumbered was (7)(7)(2) by striking “plan and execute the initial public release of”; and
(ii)
renumbered was (7)(7)(3) by inserting “release the initial” before “National”; and
(H)
renumbered was (7)(8) in the matter following subparagraph (K), as so amended and redesignated, by striking “subparagraph (J)” and inserting “subparagraph (K)”.

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)
changed Reservation— Notwithstanding any other provision of law in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. et seq. 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 up to 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); 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)
changed 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; andactivities;
(2)
changed contains the results of the activities carried out under subsection (b)(2)(B) for the most recent 2-year period.period; and
(3)
added 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.