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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 1862n-2. Establishment of centers for research on mathematics and science learning and education improvement
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
(A) The Director shall award grants to institutions of higher
education (or consortia thereof) to establish multidisciplinary
Centers for Research on Learning and Education Improvement.
(B) Grants shall be awarded under this paragraph on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
(2) Purpose
The purpose of the Centers shall be to conduct and evaluate
research in cognitive science, education, and related fields and
to develop ways in which the results of such research can be
applied in elementary school and secondary school classrooms to
improve the teaching of mathematics and science.
(3) Focus
(A) Each Center shall be focused on a different challenge faced
by elementary school or secondary school teachers of mathematics
and science. In determining the research focus of the Centers,
the Director shall consult with the National Academy of Sciences
and the Secretary of Education and take into account the extent
to which other Federal programs support research on similar
questions.
(B) The proposal solicitation issued by the Director shall
state the focus of each Center and applicants shall apply for
designation as a specific Center.
(C) At least one Center shall focus on developing ways in which
the results of research described in paragraph (2) can be
applied, duplicated, and scaled up for use in low-performing
elementary schools and secondary schools to improve the teaching
and student achievement levels in mathematics and science.
(D) To the extent practicable and relevant to its focus, every
Center shall include, as part of its research, work designed to
quantitatively assess and improve the ways that information
technology is used in the teaching of mathematics and science.
(b) Selection process
(1) Application
An institution of higher education (or a consortium of such
institutions) seeking funding under this section shall submit an
application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Director may require. The
application shall include, at a minimum, a description of -
(A) the initial research projects that will be undertaken by
the Center and the process by which new projects will be
identified;
(B) how the Center will work with other research institutions
and schools to broaden the national research agenda on learning
and teaching;
(C) how the Center will promote active collaboration among
physical, biological, and social science researchers;
(D) how the Center will promote active participation by
elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers and
administrators; and
(E) how the results of the Center's research can be
incorporated into educational practices, and how the Center
will assess the success of those practices.
(2) Review of applications
In evaluating the applications submitted under paragraph (1),
the Director shall consider, at a minimum -
(A) the ability of the applicant to effectively carry out the
research program, including the activities described in
paragraph (1)(E);
(B) the experience of the applicant in conducting research on
the science of teaching and learning and the capacity of the
applicant to foster new multidisciplinary collaborations;
(C) the capacity of the applicant to attract elementary
school and secondary school teachers from a diverse array of
schools, and with diverse professional experiences, for
participation in Center activities; and
(D) the capacity of the applicant to attract and provide
adequate support for graduate students to pursue research at
the intersection of educational practice and basic research on
human cognition and learning.
(3) Awards
The Director shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that the
Centers funded under this section conduct research and develop
educational practices designed to improve the educational
performance of a broad range of students, including individuals
identified in section 1885a or 1885b of this title.
(c) Annual conference
The Director shall convene an annual meeting of the Centers to
foster collaboration among the Centers and to further disseminate
the results of the Centers' activities.
(d) Coordination
The Director shall coordinate with the Secretary of Education in
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(1) disseminating the results of the research conducted
pursuant to grants awarded under this section to elementary
school teachers and secondary school teachers; and
(2) providing programming, guidance, and support to ensure that
such teachers -
(A) understand the implications of the research disseminated
under paragraph (1) for classroom practice; and
(B) can use the research to improve such teachers'
performance in the classroom.
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