Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 115 Part 2.djvu/613

 PUBLIC LAW 107-110-^AN. 8, 2002 115 STAT. 1597 "(i) that the final report described in subsection (a)(6)(B) is reviewed not later than 120 days after its completion by not less than two independent experts in program evaluation (who may be from among the members of the Review Panel appointed under paragraph (2)); "(ii) that such experts evaluate and comment on the degree to which the report complies with subsection (a); and • "(iii) that the comments of such experts are transmitted with the report under subsection (a)(6)(B). "SEC. 1502. DEMONSTRATIONS OF INNOVATIVE PRACTICES. 20 USC 6492. "(a) IN GENERAL. — From the funds appropriated for any fiscal year under section 1002(e)(1), the Secretary may award grants to State educational agencies, local educational agencies, other public agencies, nonprofit organizations, public or private partnerships involving business and industry organizations, and consortia of such entities to carry out demonstration projects that show the most promise of enabling children served under this title to meet challenging State academic content standards and challenging State student academic achievement standards. "(b) EVALUATION. —The Secretary shall evaluate the demonstration projects supported under this title, using rigorous methodological designs and techniques, including control groups and random assignment, to the extent feasible, to produce reliable evidence of effectiveness. "(c) PARTNERSHIPS. —From funds appropriated under section 1002(e)(1) for any fiscal year, the Secretary may, directly or through grants or contracts, work in partnership with State educational agencies, local educational agencies, other public agencies, and nonprofit organizations to disseminate and use the highest quality research and knowledge about effective practices to improve the quality of teaching and learning in schools assisted under this title. "SEC. 1503. ASSESSMENT EVALUATION. 20 USC 6493. "(a) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall conduct an independent study of assessments used for State accountability purposes and for making decisions about the promotion and graduation of students. Such research shall be conducted over a period not to exceed 5 years and shall address the components described in subsection (d). "(b) CONTRACT AUTHORIZED. — The Secretary is authorized to award a contract, through a peer review process, to an organization or entity capable of conducting rigorous, independent research. The Assistant Secretary of Educational Research and Improvement shall appoint peer reviewers to evaluate the applications for this contract. "(c) STUDY.— The study shall— "(1) synthesize and analyze existing research that meets standards of quality and scientific rigor; and "(2) evaluate academic assessment and accountability systems in State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools; and "(3) make recommendations to the Department and to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the United States House of Representatives and the Committee on Health,

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