Summary: Promoting Innovations to 21st Century Careers Act - Authorizes the Director of the National Academic and Career Innovation Center to award certain planning, implementation, transitional, and supplemental grants to state pathways partnerships to carry out activities that will create and enhance educational and career pathways for high school students to postsecondary schools (including registered apprenticeship programs) and to 21st century careers, particularly in high skill, high demand industries. Requires the state partnerships to be appointed by state governors and include representatives from educational, business, labor, workforce, and economic development entities in their respective states. Establishes the National Academic and Career Innovation Center to: (1) support the efforts of the state partnerships and regional partnerships (which are to receive competitive implementation subgrants from state partnerships) to offer career pathways of proven effectiveness; (2) design and conduct performance evaluations of career pathways activities; and (3) administer, oversee, and evaluate all career pathways grants.

promoting innovations 21st century careers act authorizes director award certain planning implementation transitional supplemental grants state pathways partnerships carry activities create enhance educational career pathways high school students postsecondary schools including registered apprenticeship programs 21st century careers particularly high skill high demand industries requires state partnerships appointed state governors include representatives educational business labor workforce economic development entities respective states establishes support efforts state partnerships regional partnerships receive competitive implementation subgrants state partnerships offer career pathways proven effectiveness design conduct performance evaluations career pathways activities administer oversee evaluate career pathways grants


Summary: Veterinary Services Investment Act - Amends The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture carry out a grant program to develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services and relieve veterinary shortage situations.

veterinary services investment act amends teaching policy act direct secretary agriculture carry grant program develop implement sustain veterinary services relieve veterinary shortage situations


Summary: Repeals the requirement that the Secretary of Education deny Texas and its local educational agencies funds from the Education Jobs Fund until the state assures the Secretary that: (1) funds used to support elementary and secondary education shall be distributed based on LEAs' relative shares of school improvement funds for the most recent fiscal year for which data are available; (2) such funds will not be used to supplant state formula funding that is distributed like school improvement funds; and (3) state funding for elementary and secondary education, as a percentage of the state's total revenue, will not be reduced through FY2013.

repeals requirement secretary education deny texas local educational agencies funds education_jobs_fund state assures secretary funds support elementary secondary education shall distributed based leas relative shares school improvement funds recent fiscal year data available funds supplant state formula funding distributed like school improvement funds state funding elementary secondary education percentage state total revenue reduced fy2013


Summary: Fairness for Texas Schools Act of 2010 - Allows the Secretary of Education to allocate funds from the Education Jobs Fund to entities in Texas other than the state government if the Secretary cannot provide such funds to the state government because of its failure to provide certain assurances regarding the distribution of such funds and the level of state support for elementary and secondary education.

fairness texas schools act allows secretary education allocate funds education_jobs_fund entities texas state government secretary provide funds state government failure provide certain assurances distribution funds level state support elementary secondary education


Summary: Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of the use of educational assistance under certain programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for training costs associated with the purchase of a franchise enterprise. Prohibits the use of such assistance unless: (1) training is required and provided in connection with the purchase and operation of a franchise; and (2) such training, and the training entity, are approved by the Secretary. Provides training and entity approval requirements.

directs secretary veterans_affairs conduct year pilot project test feasibility advisability use educational assistance certain programs department_of_veterans_affairs pay training costs associated purchase franchise enterprise prohibits use assistance training required provided connection purchase operation franchise training training entity approved secretary provides training entity approval requirements


Summary: Financial Literacy for Youth Act of 2011 or FLY Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a pilot program awarding grants to 10 state or local educational agencies (LEAs) to develop financial literacy programs in elementary and secondary schools. Requires grant funds to be used to: (1) integrate financial literacy programs into elementary and secondary school curricula; (2) provide financial literacy teacher training; and (3) collect, analyze, and develop the information necessary to accomplish the pilot program.

fly act directs secretary education establish pilot program awarding grants state local educational agencies leas develop financial literacy programs elementary secondary schools requires grant funds integrate financial literacy programs elementary secondary school curricula provide financial literacy teacher training collect analyze develop information necessary accomplish pilot program


Summary: Public Private Vocational Partnership Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow corporations (other than S corporations, personal holding companies, and service organizations) a general business tax credit for: (1) charitable contributions to secondary schools, community colleges, or technical schools that provide vocational education; and (2) employing interns as part of a vocational education course approved by a secondary school or community college.

public private vocational partnership act amends internal revenue code allow corporations corporations personal holding companies service organizations general business tax credit charitable contributions secondary schools community colleges technical schools provide vocational education employing interns vocational education course approved secondary school community college


Summary: Ready to Compete Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create a new Ready to Learn program authorizing the Secretary of Education to award grants to public telecommunications entities to coordinate the development, production, and distribution of innovative multiplatform educational programming and services for young children and youth and their parents, educators, and caregivers. Requires grantees to award subcontracts or enter into agreements with public television stations and producers or distributors of educational programming for the operation of Ready to Learn programs. Requires Ready to Learn programs to: (1) include programming that is aligned with state academic content and achievement standards; (2) include training and materials for educators and caregivers to facilitate their use of the programming and services; (3) address specific community and school needs, ascertained via ongoing community outreach programs; and (4) include programming in reading, social and emotional development, and at least one other topic in an academic or developmentally appropriate area. Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to create a Ready to Earn program authorizing the Secretary to award competitive grants to public television stations that partner with states, state workforce investment boards, or institutions of higher education to develop, disseminate, and provide on-line and on-air education and training services for adults.

ready compete act amends elementary secondary education act create new ready learn program authorizing secretary education award grants public telecommunications entities coordinate development production distribution innovative educational programming services young children youth parents educators caregivers requires grantees award subcontracts enter agreements public television stations producers distributors educational programming operation ready learn programs requires ready learn programs include programming aligned state academic content achievement standards include training materials educators caregivers facilitate use programming services address specific community school needs ascertained ongoing community outreach programs include programming reading social emotional development topic academic developmentally appropriate area amends workforce investment act create ready earn program authorizing secretary award competitive grants public television stations partner states state workforce investment boards institutions higher education develop disseminate provide line air education training services adults


Summary: Extends from 12 to 15 years after discharge or release from active-duty service the authorized period for veterans with service-connected disabilities to enroll in certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) vocational training and rehabilitation programs.

extends years discharge release active duty service authorized period veterans service connected disabilities enroll certain department_of_veterans_affairs vocational training rehabilitation programs


Summary: Foundations for Success Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to states to establish and support Early Care and Education Systems providing children, from the age of six weeks until they reach kindergarten, with universal access to high quality early care and education programs. Allows early care and education programs that demonstrate sustainability and continuity and have been operating for at least five years to participate in their state's Early Care and Education System. Requires states to establish: (1) state child care licensing standards, which shall also apply to nonparticipating programs; (2) statewide Quality Rating and Improvement Systems that assign a rating to each early care and education program, even nonparticipating programs; and (3) statewide early learning standards for children from the age of six weeks until they reach kindergarten. Requires states to place an emphasis on using grant funds to help participating programs increase their ratings under the statewide Quality Rating and Improvement System. Requires participating programs to: (1) be aligned with statewide early learning standards; (2) incorporate evidence-based teaching and learning practices; (3) provide required services for disabled children; (4) provide English language instruction for English language learners; and (5) provide, or partner with community-based organizations for the provision of, child health and family support services. Prohibits grant funds from supplanting federal, state, and local funds otherwise available to support early learning programs and services. Requires each state to design and implement a method for evaluating their Early Care and Education System.

foundations success act directs secretary education award grants states establish support providing children age weeks reach kindergarten universal access high quality early care education programs allows early care education programs demonstrate sustainability continuity operating years participate state requires states establish state child care licensing standards shall apply nonparticipating programs statewide improvement systems assign rating early care education program nonparticipating programs statewide early learning standards children age weeks reach kindergarten requires states place emphasis grant funds help participating programs increase ratings statewide quality rating improvement system requires participating programs aligned statewide early learning standards incorporate evidence based teaching learning practices provide required services disabled children provide english language instruction english language learners provide partner community based organizations provision child health family support services prohibits grant funds federal state local funds available support early learning programs services requires state design implement method evaluating


Summary:
Career and Technical Education Facilities Modernization Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to direct the Secretary of Education to support local educational agencies (LEAs), community colleges, and other appropriate entities in modernizing, renovating, or repairing facilities used to provide science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or career and technical education to public elementary, secondary school, or community college students.

Requires the Secretary to furnish such support by providing eligible entities with grants or loan guarantees or by making payments of interest on the financial instruments they use to fund the modernization, renovation, or repair of those facilities.

Prohibits the use of that support for new construction or the payment of routine maintenance costs.

Requires the Secretary to direct at least 25% of the funds made available under this Act to: (1) LEAs that are eligible to receive assistance under the ESEA's Rural Education Initiative program, or (2) community colleges that serve a substantial number of rural students.

esea direct secretary education support local educational agencies leas community colleges appropriate entities modernizing renovating repairing facilities provide science technology engineering mathematics career technical education public elementary secondary school community college students requires secretary furnish support providing eligible entities grants loan guarantees making payments interest financial instruments use fund modernization renovation repair facilities prohibits use support new construction payment routine maintenance costs requires secretary direct funds available act leas eligible receive assistance esea rural_education_initiative program community colleges serve substantial number rural students


Summary:
Veterans' Entry to Apprenticeship Act

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to treat a pre-apprenticeship program as a program of apprenticeship, for purposes of providing educational assistance: (1) if such pre-apprenticeship program is recognized under or compliant with relevant state standards for a postsecondary pre-apprenticeship program, or (2) in the case of a program for which a state does not require any such standards, if the curriculum of the pre-apprenticeship program is approved by a sponsor who certifies that the program will prepare an individual with skills and competencies needed to enroll in a registered apprenticeship program and the pre-apprenticeship program maintains conduct and attendance policies in accordance with such sponsor.

A covered individual enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program must receive the same amount and kind of educational assistance the individual would receive if the individual were enrolled in a program of apprenticeship, with an exception of specified housing assistance if the individual is not paid as part of such pre-apprenticeship program.

bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs treat pre apprenticeship program program apprenticeship purposes providing educational assistance pre apprenticeship program recognized compliant relevant state standards postsecondary pre apprenticeship program case program state require standards curriculum pre apprenticeship program approved sponsor certifies program prepare individual skills competencies needed enroll registered apprenticeship program pre apprenticeship program maintains conduct attendance policies accordance sponsor covered individual enrolled pre apprenticeship program receive kind educational assistance individual receive individual enrolled program apprenticeship exception specified housing assistance individual paid pre apprenticeship program


Summary:
Workforce Development Investment Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit of $2,000 for each community college or other institution of higher education engaged in a partnership with an employer to improve workforce development and job training for students. Allows a maximum credit of $10,000 in any taxable year.

amends internal revenue code allow business related tax credit community college institution higher education engaged partnership employer improve workforce development job training students allows maximum credit taxable year


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments received by a student under a comprehensive student work-learning-service program operated by a work college.

amends internal revenue code exclude gross income payments received student comprehensive student work learning service program operated work college


Summary:
Technical Education Creates High-Paying Careers Act of 2016 or the TECH Careers Act

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to direct the Department of Education (ED), in coordination with the Department of Labor, to develop and implement an American Technical Training Grant Program awarding competitive three-year grants of up to $5 million per fiscal year to eligible entities for supporting the establishment, redesign, or expansion of job training programs that enable economically disadvantaged students to enter into and advance along career pathways that lead to jobs in high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations.

The entities eligible for such grants must be institutions of higher education offering career and technical education programs that can be completed in two years or less (or a consortium of such institutions), but only if they enter a partnership agreement with:

 a local workforce development board; an employer with a workforce need in a high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand industry; an industry organization or other intermediary representing the industry sector or occupation for which the job training program provides training; and an institution of higher education that offers a baccalaureate degree and also has an articulation agreement with the eligible entity.

technical education creates high paying careers act tech careers act bill amends direct coordination department_of_labor develop implement american technical training grant program awarding competitive year grants million fiscal year eligible entities supporting establishment redesign expansion job training programs enable economically disadvantaged students enter advance career pathways lead jobs high skill high wage high demand occupations entities eligible grants institutions higher education offering career technical education programs completed years consortium institutions enter partnership agreement local workforce development board employer workforce need high skill high wage high demand industry industry organization intermediary representing industry sector occupation job training program provides training institution higher education offers baccalaureate degree articulation agreement eligible entity


Summary:
Career and Technical Education Equity Act

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to revise hold harmless requirements for the allotment of career and technical education assistance grants to states. A state is prohibited from receiving an allotment for a fiscal year that is less than 90% of the allotment the state received for the preceding fiscal year. (Currently, no state may receive an allotment less than the one it received for FY1998.)

bill amends revise hold harmless requirements allotment career technical education assistance grants states state prohibited receiving allotment fiscal year allotment state received preceding fiscal year currently state receive allotment received


Summary:
Revamping the Education of our Veterans to Align Manufacturing through Partnerships with Community Colleges Act of 2016 or REVAMP with Community Colleges Act of 2016

 This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to community colleges to: (1) analyze the demand for additional trained employees in their locality and the skills possessed by veterans who receive federal educational assistance and seek local employment; (2) carry out an existing, or implement a new, certificate or degree program that provides those veterans with training that addresses local demand for trained employees; and (3) facilitate the establishment of an advisory board to provide guidance to the training program and assist trained veterans in their pursuit of local employment.

 The advisory board shall be composed of local business representatives and an employee from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

education veterans align manufacturing revamp community colleges act bill directs department_of_labor award grants community colleges analyze demand additional trained employees locality skills possessed veterans receive federal educational assistance seek local employment carry existing implement new certificate degree program provides veterans training addresses local demand trained employees facilitate establishment advisory board provide guidance training program assist trained veterans pursuit local employment advisory board shall composed local business representatives employee department_of_veterans_affairs


Summary:
Equity in Career and Technical Education Act of 2016

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to require state and local educational agencies to conduct an annual equity gap assessment for career and technical education programs of study and create plans on how to reduce the gap.The "equity gap" consists of the gaps in participation and performance between students based on gender, race, and certain special populations.

The bill requires states to provide professional development and technical assistance to help local educational agencies close equity gaps in career and technical education.States and local agencies that fail to make improvements in closing equity gaps must implement an improvement plan.The Department of Education (ED)may withhold funding from states that fail to show improvement in closing equity gaps.Additionally, states may withhold funding from local agencies that fail to make improvements.

States must also annually report toED on the progress of the state in closing equity gaps.

equity career technical education act bill amends require state local educational agencies conduct annual equity gap assessment career technical education programs study create plans reduce gap equity gap consists gaps participation performance students based gender race certain special populations bill requires states provide professional development technical assistance help local educational agencies close equity gaps career technical education states local agencies fail improvements closing equity gaps implement improvement plan department_of_education withhold funding states fail improvement closing equity gaps additionally states withhold funding local agencies fail improvements states annually report progress state closing equity gaps


Summary:
Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity for Careers Act or the Four C's for Careers Act

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to revise requirements for the local use of funds received by eligible recipients under the Act to support their career and technical education programs.

The bill requires such funds to be used by eligible recipients to support career and technical education programs that:

 train career guidance and academic counselors to use labor market information in assisting students with postsecondary education and career planning; and support public-private partnerships designed to provide students with the credentials and skills required to secure employment in relevant fields; and if determined appropriate by the local educational agency, support programs that coordinate and integrate academic and career and technical education content and specified work-based learning opportunities. Funds may be used to assess resources required for promoting greater engagement and coordination with business and industry.

An eligible agency, with input from eligible recipients, may identify in its state plan, the acquisition of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity skills as additional indicators of performance for the career and technical education activities authorized under the Act.

State plans shall describe how eligible agencies will improve the critical thinking, communications, collaboration, and creativity skills of the students participating in their career and technical education programs.

careers act careers act bill amends revise requirements local use funds received eligible recipients act support career technical education programs bill requires funds eligible recipients support career technical education programs train career guidance academic counselors use labor market information assisting students postsecondary education career planning support public private partnerships designed provide students credentials skills required secure employment relevant fields determined appropriate local educational agency support programs coordinate integrate academic career technical education content specified work based learning opportunities funds assess resources required promoting greater engagement coordination business industry eligible agency input eligible recipients identify state plan acquisition critical thinking collaboration communication skills additional indicators performance career technical education activities authorized act state plans shall describe eligible agencies improve critical thinking communications collaboration skills students participating career technical education programs


Summary:
Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2016 or the VEI Act of 2016

 This bill permits veterans to use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 educational assistance for an accredited independent study program offered by an educational institution that is not an institution of higher learning, such as an area career and technical education school or a postsecondary vocational institution providing postsecondary level education.

The VA may prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based on need and upon consideration of disability ratings, the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living, income, and other appropriate factors.

Individuals may elect to convert their educational assistance to the Post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program if, as of August 1, 2009, they meet specified conditions with respect to their entitlements and elections under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program or certain other educational programs for professional military, selected reserve, or reserve component members.

The bill prescribes transitional rules with respect to the transfer or revocation of entitlements from a previous assistance program after an election to convert to the Post-9/11 program.

Certain assistance shall remain available to individuals under their previous program if it is not available under the Post-9/11 program.

After January 1, 2016, if an individual submits an election that the VA determines is against the individual's interests, the VA may make an alternative election on the individual's behalf. Such an individual may, during a specified period, modify or revoke the VA's alternative selection.

The bill extends the period for certain qualifying work-study activities for individuals receiving VA educational assistance.

Specified education programs are deemed to be approved for veterans' education benefit purposes if a state approving agency determines that they qualify.

Licensure or certification program requirements necessary for VA approval are revised.

The Director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network may contract with an entity specializing in civilian accreditation or health care evaluation to investigate any network medical center.

veterans education improvement act act bill permits veterans use department_of_veterans_affairs educational assistance accredited independent study program offered educational institution institution higher learning area career technical education school postsecondary vocational institution providing postsecondary level education prioritize vocational rehabilitation services based need consideration disability ratings severity employment qualification program independent living income appropriate factors individuals elect convert educational assistance veterans educational assistance program august meet specified conditions respect entitlements elections volunteer force educational assistance program certain educational programs professional military selected reserve reserve component members bill prescribes transitional rules respect transfer revocation entitlements previous assistance program election convert program certain assistance shall remain available individuals previous program available program january individual submits election determines individual interests alternative election individual behalf individual specified period modify revoke alternative selection bill extends period certain qualifying work study activities individuals receiving educational assistance specified education programs deemed approved veterans education benefit purposes state approving agency determines qualify licensure certification program requirements necessary approval revised director veterans_integrated_service_network contract entity specializing civilian accreditation health care evaluation investigate network medical center


Summary:
Career and Technical Education for Adult Learners Act of 2016

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to modify the requirements for career and technical education programs to align the programs with adult education programs.

The bill revises the purposes of the Act to include promoting adult education and supporting partnerships among adult education programs.

States may develop core indicators of performance for career and technical education students at the adult education level. At a minimum, the indicators must measure: (1) student attainment of challenging career and technical skill proficiency, including student achievement on technical assessments that are aligned with industry-recognized standards; and (2) the eligibly entity's performance on the indicators of performance described in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

The bill also: (1) includes the state director of adult education in the development of the state plan for career and technical education, and (2) specifies that adult education providers that also offer certain career and technical education courses leading to technical skill proficiency and an industry-recognized credential or certificate are eligible to receive funds under the Act.

bill amends modify requirements career technical education programs align programs adult education programs bill revises purposes act include promoting adult education supporting partnerships adult education programs states develop core indicators performance career technical education students adult education level minimum indicators measure student attainment challenging career technical skill proficiency including student achievement technical assessments aligned industry recognized standards entity performance indicators performance described workforce innovation opportunity act bill includes state director adult education development state plan career technical education specifies adult education providers offer certain career technical education courses leading technical skill proficiency industry recognized credential certificate eligible receive funds act


Summary: Nanotechnology in the Schools Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a nanotechnology in the schools program awarding matching grants to certain eligible institutions for the purchase of nanotechnology equipment and software and the provision of nanotechnology education to students and teachers. Lists as eligible grantees: (1) public, private, parochial, and charter secondary schools that offer advanced or international baccalaureate science courses; (2) community colleges; (3) four-year institutions of higher education; and (4) informal learning science and technology centers. .

nanotechnology schools act requires director national_science_foundation nsf establish nanotechnology schools program awarding matching grants certain eligible institutions purchase nanotechnology equipment software provision nanotechnology education students teachers lists eligible grantees public private parochial charter secondary schools offer advanced international baccalaureate science courses community colleges year institutions higher education informal learning science technology centers


Summary: Help Identify Indicators of Potential Student Aggression Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to prepare and periodically revise: (1) concise written materials to be used by school personnel in elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education to help to identify the possible warning signs of a student with a high potential to be aggressive and harmful to property, themselves, or others, and report such behavior to designated school personnel; and (2) more detailed written materials to be used by designated school personnel to determine the appropriate actions to take with respect to such a student, including whether he or she should be referred to a mental health expert. Requires the first version of such materials to be provided to the Secretary of Education within 90 days of this Act's enactment for distribution to schools.

help identify indicators potential student aggression act directs secretary health_and_human_services acting administrator substance_abuse_and_mental_health_services_administration prepare periodically revise concise written materials school personnel elementary schools secondary schools institutions higher education help identify possible warning signs student high potential aggressive harmful property report behavior designated school personnel detailed written materials designated school personnel determine appropriate actions respect student including referred mental health expert requires version materials provided secretary education days act enactment distribution schools


Summary: Families Learning and Understanding English Together Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make grants to providers of family literacy services to improve the literacy and English skills of limited English proficient individuals who are parents or children in families where each parent is at least 16 years old and where at least one child is under age eight. Directs the Secretary to reserve certain funds to: (1) make grants to, or enter contracts with, national organizations that have family literacy service expertise to provide grantees with technical assistance and training; and (2) evaluate and improve the family literacy grant program. Requires grantees to meet specified outcome measures.

understanding english act authorizes secretary education grants providers family literacy services improve literacy english skills limited english proficient individuals parents children families parent years old child age directs secretary reserve certain funds grants enter contracts national organizations family literacy service expertise provide grantees technical assistance training evaluate improve family literacy grant program requires grantees meet specified outcome measures


Summary: Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends federal provisions concerning the establishment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities of nonprofit research and education corporations (NRECs) to allow an NREC to facilitate the conduct of research or education, or both, at more than one VA medical center. States that such an NREC shall be known as a multi-medical center research corporation (MCRC). Allows an NREC to act as a MCRC if: (1) the NREC board of directors approve a resolution permitting that NREC to act as a MCRC; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs approves the resolution. Requires each NREC and MCRC (corporation) to be established in accordance with the nonprofit corporation laws of the state in which the VA medical center which it supports is located. States that neither such corporation shall be considered to be owned by, or an agent or instrumentality of, the United States. Restates the purposes of the corporations. Modifies the composition of, and standards applicable to, corporation boards of directors, including by changing applicable conflict of interest requirements. Expands the required areas of experience or expertise with respect to non-VA members of corporation boards of directors. Increases authorized corporate powers of the corporations to include entering into contracts and setting fees for education and training facilitated through a corporation. Revises audit requirements to require submission of an Internal Revenue Service return form applicable to organizations exempt from income tax.

amends federal provisions concerning establishment department_of_veterans_affairs medical facilities nonprofit research education corporations nrecs allow nrec facilitate conduct research education medical center states nrec shall known multi medical center research corporation mcrc allows nrec act mcrc nrec board directors approve resolution permitting nrec act mcrc secretary veterans_affairs approves resolution requires nrec mcrc corporation established accordance nonprofit corporation laws state medical center supports located states corporation shall considered owned agent instrumentality united_states restates purposes corporations modifies composition standards applicable corporation boards directors including changing applicable conflict interest requirements expands required areas experience expertise respect non members corporation boards directors increases authorized corporate powers corporations include entering contracts setting fees education training facilitated corporation revises audit requirements require submission internal_revenue_service return form applicable organizations exempt income tax


Summary: Prostate Research, Imaging, and Men's Education Act or the PRIME Act - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to expand and intensify research to develop advanced imaging technologies for prostate cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment comparable to mammogram technology.Directs the Secretary: (1) to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge with respect to the need for prostate cancer screening and for improved detection technologies; (2) in developing such campaign, to recognize and address the racial disparities in the incidences of prostate cancer and mortality rates; (3) to establish a program to award grants to nonprofit private entities to test alternative outreach and education strategies; (4) to carry out research to develop an improved prostate cancer screening blood test using in-vitro detection; and (5) to certify compliance with this Act within one year.

prostate_research imaging prime act requires secretary health_and_human_services acting director national_institutes_of_health nih expand intensify research develop advanced imaging technologies prostate cancer detection diagnosis treatment comparable mammogram technology directs secretary carry national campaign increase awareness knowledge respect need prostate cancer screening improved detection technologies developing campaign recognize address racial disparities incidences prostate cancer mortality rates establish program award grants nonprofit private entities test alternative outreach education strategies carry research develop improved prostate cancer screening blood test vitro detection certify compliance act year


Summary:
Securing Teacher Effectiveness, Leadership, Learning, And Results Act of 2013 or STELLAR Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require each state receiving school improvement funds to: (1) define teacher and principal effectiveness and establish performance ratings; (2) demonstrate that it has developed, in collaboration with teachers and principals, a model teacher and principal evaluation program; (3) demonstrate that each of its local educational agencies (LEAs) has adopted a teacher and principal evaluation program; (4) demonstrate that each LEA is collaborating with teachers and principals in developing and making annual improvements to such program; (5) review, report on, and assist LEAs in improving such evaluation programs; and (6) establish procedures to ensure that ineffective teachers and principals facing unemployment are treated fairly.

Requires teacher evaluations to: (1) emphasize student academic growth, (2) include observations of the teacher's classroom performance, (3) rate teachers using at least four performance categories, and (4) provide results that are comparable for all teachers in grade levels and subject areas across the state and within the teacher's LEA.

Requires principal evaluations to: (1) emphasize student academic growth; (2) factor in their school's graduation rates; (3) assess the principal's success in recruiting, developing, evaluating, and retaining effective teachers; (4) assess the principal's leadership abilities through observations and other relevant data; (5) rate principals using at least four performance categories; and (6) provide results that are comparable across all principals within the LEA.

Requires states to take steps to ensure that poor and minority children are not taught at higher rates than other children by teachers rated as less than effective.

Requires states and LEAs to report the number and percentage of teachers and principals in each performance rating at: (1) the state, LEA, and school level; and (2) their LEAs and schools that have the highest and lowest poverty rates or the highest and lowest percentages of minority students. Requires states to report student attendance rates, disaggregated by each school and each teacher and principal at each school within specified jurisdictions.

Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) recognize each LEA that has innovative, high-quality, and effective teacher or principal evaluation programs that lead to professional development and improved student performance; and (2) establish a clearinghouse to share the best practices of such programs with educators.

securing teacher effectiveness leadership learning results act elementary secondary education act require state receiving school improvement funds define teacher principal effectiveness establish performance ratings demonstrate developed collaboration teachers principals model teacher principal evaluation program demonstrate local educational agencies leas adopted teacher principal evaluation program demonstrate lea collaborating teachers principals developing making annual improvements program review report assist leas improving evaluation programs establish procedures ensure ineffective teachers principals facing unemployment treated fairly requires teacher evaluations emphasize student academic growth include observations teacher classroom performance rate teachers performance categories provide results comparable teachers grade levels subject areas state teacher lea requires principal evaluations emphasize student academic growth factor school graduation rates assess principal success recruiting developing evaluating retaining effective teachers assess principal leadership abilities observations relevant data rate principals performance categories provide results comparable principals lea requires states steps ensure poor minority children taught higher rates children teachers rated effective requires states leas report number percentage teachers principals performance rating state lea school level leas schools highest lowest poverty rates highest lowest percentages minority students requires states report student attendance rates disaggregated school teacher principal school specified jurisdictions directs secretary education recognize lea innovative high quality effective teacher principal evaluation programs lead professional development improved student performance establish clearinghouse share best practices programs educators


Summary:
Strengthening Education through Research Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Education, in collecting information and data under that Act, to not duplicate other reporting requirements and to use information and data available from existing federal, state, and local sources to reduce the burden and cost to the Department of Education, states, and local educational agencies (LEAs).

Title I: Education Sciences Reform - (Sec. 102) Amends the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to replace the definition of, and references to: (1) an "historically black college or university" with the definition of, and references to, a "minority-serving institution"; and (2) "scientifically based research standards" with the definition of, and references to, "principles of scientific research." Defines "adult education," "adult education and literacy activities," "English learner," and "school leader."

Part A: The Institute of Education Sciences - (Sec. 111) Requires the mission of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to include providing national leadership in expanding fundamental knowledge and understanding of adult education, in addition to providing that leadership with regard to education from early childhood through postsecondary study. Requires the activities of the IES to be free of disability bias.

(Sec. 112) Directs the IES to widely disseminate the findings and results of its education evaluations, which are to include evaluations of impact and implementation.

(Sec. 113) Allows the IES to accept requests from the Secretary to administer activities other than those assigned to it, provided they are consistent with the IES's priorities or mission. Requires the Director of the IES (Director) to be consulted during the procurement process, and with regard to contract performance management, under the Act.

(Sec. 114) Allows a Director to: (1) serve for up to one year beyond his or her six-year term in office if his or her successor has not yet been appointed, and (2) be appointed to one additional term in office.

Adds to the Director's duties: (1) coordinating IES research activities with the education research activities of public and private entities, and (2) coordinating with the Secretary to ensure that IES results are coordinated with and utilized by the Department of Education's technical assistance providers and dissemination networks.

Requires the Director to establish and maintain a peer-review system involving highly-qualified individuals to review and evaluate: (1) each application for a grant or cooperative agreement exceeding $100,000, and (2) all reports and other products that exceed $100,000 and that are to be published and publicly released by the IES. Requires IES peer reviewers of special education research to have an understanding of special education.

Requires the Director to:

 ensure that IES activities address significant challenges faced by practitioners and increase knowledge in the education field; ensure that IES information, products, and publications are prepared and widely disseminated in a timely, understandable, and convenient manner; promote the utilization of IES information, products, and publications; and monitor and manage all activities authorized under the Act. (Sec. 115) Requires the Director to propose to the National Board for Education Sciences (Board) the IES's priorities at least once every six years. Includes among those priorities:

 closing the achievement gap between disabled and nondisabled students; improving access to and the quality of early childhood education; improving elementary and secondary education, particularly among low-performing students and schools; and improving access to, opportunities for, and the completion of postsecondary education and adult education. (Sec. 116) Adds to the Board's duties:

 providing ongoing advice and input to the Director on IES activities; providing advice to the Director on ensuring that IES activities are free of disability bias; ensuring that IES activities are relevant to education policy and practice by soliciting, on an ongoing basis, advice and information from those in the education field; recommending to the Director ways to enhance strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts with public and private entities; and issuing a report every five years assessing IES effectiveness. Expands the pool of entities and organizations whose advice the President is to solicit regarding appointments to the Board.

Requires the Board to be composed of at least two practitioners who are knowledgeable about the education needs of the United States. Allows state leaders in adult education to be on the Board. Allows Board members to: (1) serve for up to one year beyond their four-year term if their successor has not yet been appointed, and (2) serve a full term if they are appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term of office.

Makes the Board independent of the Director and the other offices and officers of the IES. Provides that the Executive Director of the Board is to be appointed by the Board for a term of up to six years and may be reappointed for an additional term.

Allows the Board to establish standing or temporary subcommittees to provide the Board with recommendations for carrying out activities authorized under the Act.

Directs the Board to submit to the Director, the Secretary, and Congress, and make widely available to the public, a report once every five years, evaluating IES effectiveness, including an independent evaluation of the activities authorized for each of the National Education Centers. Requires interim findings to be made widely available to the public three years after the independent entity begins reviewing the work of the IES.

(Sec. 117) Provides that the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, like the Commissioners of the other National Education Centers, is to be appointed by the Director and serve under the Director's supervision. (Currently, that Commissioner is appointed by the President.)

(Sec. 118) Requires the Director to make a description of all IES grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements over $100,000 publicly available within 120 days of their consummation.

(Sec. 119) Requires IES grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to be awarded through a peer review process.

Part B: National Center for Education Research - (Sec. 131) Requires the National Center for Education Research (Research Center) to: (1) conduct research that is consistent with the IES priorities, and (2) widely disseminate and promote the utilization of its work.

(Sec. 132) Adds to the Research Center's duties the carrying out of research on: (1) follow up questions provoked by previous research, (2) the impact of technology on education, and (3) the quality of the implementation of practices and strategies determined to be effective through scientifically valid research.

Provides that the Research Center's research on successful state and local education reform activities may include research on social and emotional learning and the acquisition of competencies and skills.

Authorizes the Research Commissioner to award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, applicants that have the ability and capacity to conduct scientifically valid research.

Requires the Research Commissioner to support national research and development centers that address topics of importance and relevance in the education field that are consistent with IES priorities. Eliminates: (1) the requirement that the Research Commissioner support at least eight centers, and (2) the list of research topics eligible for support.

Authorizes the Director to renew support for a national research and development center without competition for up to two years beyond the initial period of support if the Director determines that the center's research continues to effectively address IES priorities. (Currently, that support is available for an additional period of up to five years.)

Requires research conducted or supported by the Research Center, to the extent feasible and relevant to the research being conducted, to be disaggregated and cross-tabulated by age, race, gender, disability status, English learner status, socioeconomic background, and other population characteristics as determined by the Research Commissioner, so long as any reported information does not reveal individually identifiable information.

Part C: National Center for Education Statistics - (Sec. 151) Directs the National Center for Education Statistics (Statistics Center) to collect, analyze, and report education information and statistics in a manner that is: (1) consistent with the Act's privacy protections; (2) free of disability bias; and (3) relevant, timely, and widely disseminated.

(Sec. 152) Adds to the data the Statistics Center is to collect and disseminate, data on:

 secondary school graduation and completion rates; postsecondary education completion; teaching and school leadership that includes information on pre-service preparation, professional development, teacher distribution, and teacher and school leader evaluation; the supply of, and demand for, school leaders; school safety that includes data on school climate and in- and out-of-school suspensions and expulsions; access to, and use of, technology to improve elementary and secondary schools; the quality of early childhood education; students' access to summer school; and access to, and opportunities for, adult education and literacy activities. Requires the Statistics Center to provide technical assistance to states (currently, to determine voluntary standards and guidelines to assist states) in developing statewide longitudinal data systems that link individual student data and protect student privacy to improve student academic achievement and close achievement gaps.

Requires the Statistics Center to assist the Board in the preparation and dissemination of the report evaluating the effectiveness of the IES.

Directs the Statistics Commissioner to develop and implement a plan for Statistics Center activities that is consistent with the priorities of the IES and subject to appropriate modifications.

(Sec. 153) Requires applications from entities that wish to receive a grant or enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with the Statistics Center.

Authorizes the Statistics Commissioner to renew those grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements for up to two years if the recipients demonstrate progress on the requirements of the Act's performance measurement system. (Currently, such grants, contracts, and agreements may be renewed for up to five years at the discretion of the Statistics Commissioner.)

(Sec. 155) Requires the joint statistical projects the Statistic Center carries out with nonprofit entities to adhere to the Act's student privacy requirements.

Requires federal agencies and other parties seeking access to educational data from the Statistics Center to describe their research-related need for such data and how the data will be protected from misuse or privacy violations.

Authorizes the Statistics Center to deny requests for access to its data if such data would: (1) be unnecessary for, or unrelated to, the proposed research; or (2) introduce the risk that the data would be misused or used to violate privacy rights. Makes that denial authority inapplicable to public use data sets.

(Sec. 156) Renames "national cooperative education statistics systems" as " cooperative education statistics partnerships" between the Statistics Center and states that volunteer to participate. Provides that, rather than producing and maintaining education data, the partnerships are to review and improve data quality standards. Prohibits the partnerships from collecting student data or establishing a national student data system.

Part D: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance - (Sec. 171) Requires the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (Evaluation Center) to evaluate federal education programs administered by the Secretary and, as time and resources allow, the impact and implementation of those programs.

Requires the Evaluation Center to support the wide dissemination and utilization of all its evaluations, research, and products.

(Sec. 172) Requires the Evaluation Center to assist the Board in the preparation and dissemination of the report evaluating the effectiveness of the IES.

Directs the Evaluation and Regional Assistance Commissioner (Evaluation Commissioner) to propose to the Director and implement, subject to the Director's approval, a plan for Evaluation Center activities that is consistent with IES priorities and subject to appropriate modifications.

Authorizes the Evaluation Commissioner to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements on a competitive basis for up to five years and renew them for up to two years if their recipients demonstrate progress on the requirements of the Act's performance measurement system.

Authorizes the Evaluation Commissioner to establish a National Library of Education within the Evaluation Center.

(Sec. 173) Requires the Evaluation Center, in addition to its existing duties, to: (1) provide its findings in an understandable, easily accessible, and usable format to support program improvement; and (2) support the Director's evaluation activities. Requires the Evaluation Center to:

 examine evaluations conducted or supported by others, with the Director's approval; review and supplement federal education program evaluations; conduct implementation evaluations that promote continuous improvement and inform policy making; evaluate the short- and long-term effects and cost efficiencies of federal education programs; and synthesize the results of evaluation studies for and across federal education programs, policies, and practices. (Sec. 174) Requires the Evaluation Commissioner (currently, the Director) to enter into grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with public or private, nonprofit or for-profit research organizations, other organizations, or institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish a networked system of ten regional educational laboratories that serve the needs of each region of the United States.

Authorizes the Evaluation Commissioner to determine that establishing ten regional educational laboratories is unnecessary and grant an alternative number of awards or reorganize such laboratories, which may include not basing the awards on the regions, if an insufficient number of regional educational laboratories: (1) are meeting the needs of the regions, or (2) are meeting or have the capacity to meet specified performance indicators.

Requires the Evaluation Commissioner to give priority to applicants that will provide a portion of nonfederal funds to maximize support for the regional educational laboratories.

Requires each regional educational laboratory to: (1) conduct applied research, development, data analysis, and evaluation activities with states, LEAs, and Indian schools; (2) widely disseminate such work; and (3) develop the capacity of states, LEAs, and Indian schools to carry out such activities.

Authorizes each regional educational laboratory to establish an advisory board to support the priorities of such laboratory. (Currently, each regional educational laboratory is required to establish a governing board.) Prohibits such an advisory board from exceeding 25 members. Requires each advisory board to include a state official, LEA representatives, researchers, and at least one representative from the advisory board of a comprehensive center servicing the region, if applicable.

Directs the Evaluation Commissioner to conduct ongoing summative and interim evaluations of each of the regional educational laboratories that assess how well each laboratory is meeting measurable performance indicators. Reserves 16.13% of the funds authorized to be appropriated under the Act for such regional educational laboratories.

Part E: National Center for Special Education Research - (Sec. 175) Adds to the mission of the National Center for Special Education Research the promotion of scientifically valid special education research.

(Sec. 176) Includes disabled youth on the list of the Special Education Research Commissioner's required subjects of expertise.

(Sec. 177) Adds to the duties of the Special Education Research Center:

 examining the participation and outcomes of disabled students in secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs; assisting the Board in the preparation and dissemination of the report evaluating the effectiveness of the IES; examining the needs of disabled children who are English learners, who are gifted and talented, or who have other unique learning needs; and examining innovations in the special education field, such as multi-tiered systems of support. Authorizes the Special Education Research Commissioner to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements on a competitive basis for up to five years and renew them for up to two years if their recipients demonstrate progress on the requirements of the Act's performance measurement system.

Directs the Special Education Research Center to synthesize, disseminate, and promote the utilization of the special education research it conducts or supports.

Reauthorizes appropriations for the Special Education Research Center through FY2020.

Part F: General Provisions - (Sec. 181) Prohibits the Act's provisions from being construed to authorize the federal government to mandate, direct, or control the specific academic achievement or content standards or assessments of a state, LEA, or school.

Prohibits the use of IES funding to endorse, approve, or sanction any curriculum designed to be used in early education or in an elementary school, secondary school, or IHE.

(Sec. 182) Allows IES data to disclose information regarding individual schools so long as no individually identifiable information is disclosed. Subjects IES volunteers or those who provide the IES with uncompensated services to punishment for privacy violations.

(Sec. 183) Requires IES data to be made available to the public through electronic means, such as posting to the IES's website in an easily accessible manner.

(Sec. 184) Requires the Director to establish a performance management system to promote the continuous improvement of activities authorized under the Act and ensure the effective use of federal funds by:

 developing and using measurable performance indicators, including time lines, to evaluate and improve those activities; using the performance indicators to inform funding decisions; establishing and improving formal stakeholder feedback mechanisms; and promoting the wide dissemination and utilization of IHE information, products, and publications. (Sec. 185) Requires the Director to provide the Secretary and other relevant offices with an advance copy of IES publications before their public release.

(Sec. 186) Repeals provisions dealing with: (1) filling vacancies on the Board and within the IES; and (2) removing the Commissioners of the National Education Centers, the Director, and Board members.

(Sec. 187) Establishes as the goal of the Director's research, evaluation, and statistics fellowships at IHEs, improving this nation's capacity to carry out high-quality research, evaluation, and statistics related to education and the mission of each National Education Center.

(Sec. 188) Reauthorizes appropriations for activities under the Act through FY2020.

Part G: Technical and Conforming Amendments - (Sec. 191) Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Title II: Educational Technical Assistance - (Sec. 202) Amends the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 to define "school leader."

(Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to award 17 competitive grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to public or private, nonprofit or for-profit research organizations, other organizations, or IHEs to establish comprehensive centers to provide states and LEAs with technical assistance, analysis, and training to build their capacity to implement federal educational laws and research-based practices.

Directs the Secretary to establish at least one comprehensive center for each of the 10 geographic regions served by the regional educational laboratories established under the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994. Allows the Secretary to establish additional comprehensive centers serving one or more of those regions or the nation as a whole.

Authorizes the Secretary to determine that establishing 17 comprehensive centers is unnecessary and grant an alternative number of awards or reorganize such centers, which may include organizing the centers around content areas instead of by regions, if an insufficient number of centers: (1) are meeting the needs of the regions, or (2) are meeting or have the capacity to meet specified performance indicators.

Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicants that will provide a portion of nonfederal funds to maximize support for the comprehensive centers.

Requires the comprehensive centers to consider the number of low-performing schools in an area when considering an area's need for assistance.

Includes in the training, professional development, and technical assistance provided by comprehensive centers, the replication and adaptation of exemplary practices and innovative methods that have an evidence base of effectiveness.

Authorizes (currently, requires) each comprehensive center to establish an advisory board to support the priorities of such center. Prohibits such an advisory board from exceeding 25 members. Requires each advisory board to include a state official, LEA representatives, researchers, and at least one representative from the advisory board of a regional educational laboratory in the region being served by the center.

Requires the annual report each comprehensive center provides to the Secretary to include: (1) a description of how well the center is meeting the educational needs of its region, using measurable performance indicators; and (2) any changes to its plan to improve its effectiveness.

(Sec. 204) Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide for an interim and summative evaluation of each comprehensive center at the midpoint and at the end of the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement that established such center; and (2) transmit the results of such evaluations to Congress, the Director, and the public.

(Sec. 206) Repeals the requirement that the Secretary establish a regional advisory committee for each region of this country served by a regional educational laboratory.

(Sec. 207) Requires the Director and the Secretary to establish priorities for the regional educational laboratories and comprehensive centers using the results of relevant regional and national surveys of educational needs. (Sec. 208) Allows states that receive competitive grants to design, develop, and implement statewide, longitudinal data systems to provide subgrants to LEAs for their role in those activities. Requires those data systems to be consistent with the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), the Higher Education Act of 1965, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Requires the Secretary, before awarding such grants, to establish measurable performance indicators for use in assessing the ongoing progress and performance of state grantees in designing, developing, and implementing those systems.

Requires the peer review process used in awarding such grants to:

 promote the generation and use of the data needed to align statewide longitudinal data systems from early education through postsecondary education and the workforce, ensure the protection of student privacy, ensure that state grantees support professional development that enables teachers and school leaders to use data effectively; and give priority to states that leverage the use of such systems to improve student achievement and growth, including by demonstrating the capacity to share teacher and school leader performance data with LEAs and teacher and school leader preparation programs. Authorizes the Secretary to renew such grants for up to three years if the state demonstrates progress on the measurable performance indicators.

Directs the Secretary to make a report publicly available, one year after this Act's enactment and every three years thereafter, on the implementation and effectiveness of the activities carried out by the state grantees.

(Sec. 209) Reauthorizes appropriations for activities under the Act through FY2020.

Title III: National Assessment of Educational Progress - (Sec. 302) Amends the National Assessment of Educational Progress Authorization Act to require the National Assessment Governing Board (Assessment Board) to oversee and set policies for the National Assessment of Educational Progress consistent with its duties and accepted professional standards.

Includes one elementary school leader and one secondary school leader on the Assessment Board. (This replaces the requirement that school principals be selected.)

 Directs the Secretary to fill vacancies on the Assessment Board from among individuals who are nominated by the Assessment Board.

Requires the Assessment Board to consult with the Statistics Commissioner in carrying out its functions.

Directs the Assessment Board, in selecting the subject areas to be assessed, to select the grades or ages being assessed and the year in which such assessments will be conducted.

Requires school leaders to be involved in the assessment review process.

Directs the Assessment Board to provide input to the Director on annual budget requests for the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

(Sec. 303) Directs the Statistics Commissioner to carry out the National Assessment of Educational Progress in a manner consistent with accepted professional standards and the policies set forth by the Assessment Board.

Adds to the Statistics Commissioner's duties determining the content of initial and subsequent National Assessment of Educational Progress reports and ensuring their validity and reliability.

Requires LEAs participating in the school improvement program under part A of title I of the ESEA to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Eliminates the option allowing the Assessment Board to develop appropriate achievement levels for each age, rather than grade level, for each subject area being tested. Directs the Assessment Board to use a national consensus approach in establishing the appropriate student achievement levels, providing for the active participation of teachers, school leaders, curriculum specialists, local school administrators, parents, and concerned members of the public.

(Sec. 304) Defines a "school leader."

(Sec. 305) Reauthorizes appropriations for activities under the Act through FY2020.

Title IV: Evaluation Plan - (Sec. 401) Requires the IES to 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 evaluations.

Authorizes the Secretary to reserve and consolidate specified percentages of funds from ESEA programs to: (1) carry out high-quality evaluations of programs authorized under the ESEA, and (2) increase the usefulness of those evaluations or assist ESEA program grantees in collecting and analyzing data and other activities related to the evaluations. Prohibits the Secretary from being required to evaluate each ESEA program each year. Requires the Secretary or the Director to disseminate the findings from such evaluations.

Requires the Director, on a biennial basis, to develop, submit to Congress, and make publicly available an evaluation plan that: (1) describes the specific activities that will be carried out with the reserved funds over the two years of the plan, (2) contains the results of the activities carried out with such funds for the most recent two-year period, and (3) describes how ESEA programs will be regularly evaluated.

strengthening education research act sec amends education_sciences reform act require secretary education collecting information data act duplicate reporting requirements use information data available existing federal state local sources reduce burden cost department_of_education states local educational agencies leas title education sciences reform sec amends education_sciences reform act replace definition references historically black college university definition references minority serving institution scientifically based research standards definition references principles scientific research defines adult education adult education literacy activities english learner school leader institute_of_education_sciences sec requires mission institute_of_education_sciences ies include providing national leadership expanding fundamental knowledge understanding adult education addition providing leadership regard education early childhood postsecondary study requires activities ies free disability bias sec directs ies widely disseminate findings results education evaluations include evaluations impact implementation sec allows ies accept requests secretary administer activities assigned provided consistent ies priorities mission requires director ies director consulted procurement process regard contract performance management act sec allows director serve year year term office successor appointed appointed additional term office adds director duties coordinating ies research activities education research activities public private entities coordinating secretary ensure ies results coordinated utilized department_of_education technical assistance providers dissemination networks requires director establish maintain peer review system involving highly qualified individuals review evaluate application grant cooperative agreement exceeding reports products exceed published publicly released ies requires ies peer reviewers special education research understanding special education requires director ensure ies activities address significant challenges faced practitioners increase knowledge education field ensure ies information products publications prepared widely disseminated timely understandable convenient manner promote utilization ies information products publications monitor manage activities authorized act sec requires director propose ies priorities years includes priorities closing achievement gap disabled nondisabled students improving access quality early childhood education improving elementary secondary education particularly low performing students schools improving access opportunities completion postsecondary education adult education sec adds board duties providing ongoing advice input director ies activities providing advice director ensuring ies activities free disability bias ensuring ies activities relevant education policy practice soliciting ongoing basis advice information education field recommending director ways enhance strategic partnerships collaborative efforts public private entities issuing report years assessing ies effectiveness expands pool entities organizations advice president solicit appointments board requires board composed practitioners knowledgeable education needs united_states allows state leaders adult education board members serve year year term successor appointed serve term appointed fill vacancy unexpired term office makes board independent director offices officers ies provides executive director board appointed board term years reappointed additional term establish standing temporary subcommittees provide board recommendations carrying activities authorized act directs board submit director secretary congress widely available public report years evaluating ies effectiveness including independent evaluation activities authorized requires interim findings widely available public years independent entity begins reviewing work ies sec provides commissioner national_center_for_education_statistics like commissioners appointed director serve director supervision currently commissioner appointed president sec requires director description ies grants contracts cooperative agreements publicly available days consummation sec requires ies grants contracts cooperative agreements awarded peer review process national_center_for_education_research sec requires conduct research consistent ies priorities widely disseminate promote utilization work sec adds research_center duties carrying research follow questions previous research impact technology education quality implementation practices strategies determined effective scientifically valid research provides research_center research successful state local education reform activities include research social emotional learning acquisition competencies skills authorizes research commissioner award grants enter contracts cooperative agreements applicants ability capacity conduct scientifically valid research requires research commissioner support national research development centers address topics importance relevance education field consistent ies priorities eliminates requirement research commissioner support centers list research topics eligible support authorizes director renew support national research development center competition years initial period support director determines center research continues effectively address ies priorities currently support available additional period years requires research conducted supported research_center extent feasible relevant research conducted disaggregated cross tabulated age race gender disability status english learner status socioeconomic background population characteristics determined research commissioner long reported information reveal individually identifiable information national center education statistics sec directs national_center_for_education_statistics collect analyze report education information statistics manner consistent act privacy protections free disability bias relevant timely widely disseminated sec adds data collect disseminate data secondary school graduation completion rates postsecondary education completion teaching school leadership includes information pre service preparation professional development teacher distribution teacher school leader evaluation supply demand school leaders school safety includes data school climate school suspensions access use technology improve elementary secondary schools quality early childhood education students access summer school access opportunities adult education literacy activities requires provide technical assistance states currently determine voluntary standards guidelines assist states developing statewide longitudinal data systems link individual student data protect student privacy improve student academic achievement close achievement gaps requires statistics center assist board preparation dissemination report evaluating effectiveness ies directs statistics commissioner develop implement plan activities consistent priorities ies subject appropriate modifications sec requires applications entities wish receive grant enter contract cooperative agreement authorizes statistics commissioner renew grants contracts cooperative agreements years recipients demonstrate progress requirements act performance measurement system currently grants contracts agreements renewed years discretion statistics commissioner sec requires joint statistical projects carries nonprofit entities adhere act student privacy requirements requires federal agencies parties seeking access educational data describe research related need data data protected misuse privacy violations deny requests access data data unnecessary unrelated proposed research introduce risk data misused violate privacy rights makes denial authority inapplicable public use data sets sec renames national cooperative education statistics systems cooperative education statistics partnerships states volunteer participate provides producing maintaining education data partnerships review improve data quality standards prohibits partnerships collecting student data establishing national student data system national center education evaluation regional assistance sec requires regional assistance evaluation center evaluate federal education programs administered secretary time resources allow impact implementation programs requires evaluation center support wide dissemination utilization evaluations research products sec requires evaluation center assist board preparation dissemination report evaluating effectiveness ies directs evaluation regional assistance commissioner evaluation commissioner propose director implement subject director approval plan activities consistent ies priorities subject appropriate modifications authorizes evaluation commissioner award grants contracts cooperative agreements competitive basis years renew years recipients demonstrate progress requirements act performance measurement system authorizes evaluation commissioner establish sec requires evaluation center addition existing duties provide findings understandable easily accessible usable format support program improvement support director evaluation activities requires examine evaluations conducted supported director approval review supplement federal education program evaluations conduct implementation evaluations promote continuous improvement inform policy making evaluate short- long term effects cost efficiencies federal education programs synthesize results evaluation studies federal education programs policies practices sec requires evaluation commissioner currently director enter grants contracts cooperative agreements public private nonprofit profit research organizations organizations institutions higher education ihes establish networked system regional educational laboratories serve needs region united_states authorizes evaluation commissioner determine establishing regional educational laboratories unnecessary grant alternative number awards reorganize laboratories include basing awards regions insufficient number regional educational laboratories meeting needs regions meeting capacity meet specified performance indicators requires evaluation commissioner priority applicants provide portion nonfederal funds maximize support regional educational laboratories requires regional educational laboratory conduct applied research development data analysis evaluation activities states leas indian schools widely disseminate work develop capacity states leas indian schools carry activities authorizes regional educational laboratory establish advisory board support priorities laboratory currently regional educational laboratory required establish governing board prohibits advisory board exceeding members requires advisory board include state official lea representatives researchers representative advisory board comprehensive center servicing region applicable directs evaluation commissioner conduct ongoing summative interim evaluations regional educational laboratories assess laboratory meeting measurable performance indicators reserves funds authorized appropriated act regional educational laboratories national center special education research sec adds mission promotion scientifically valid special education research sec includes disabled youth list commissioner required subjects expertise sec adds duties examining participation outcomes disabled students secondary postsecondary career technical education programs assisting board preparation dissemination report evaluating effectiveness ies examining needs disabled children english learners gifted talented unique learning needs examining innovations special education field multi tiered systems support authorizes commissioner award grants contracts cooperative agreements competitive basis years renew years recipients demonstrate progress requirements act performance measurement system directs synthesize disseminate promote utilization special education research conducts supports reauthorizes appropriations fy2020 general provisions sec prohibits act provisions construed authorize federal government mandate direct control specific academic achievement content standards assessments state lea school prohibits use ies funding endorse approve sanction curriculum designed early education elementary school secondary school ihe sec allows ies data disclose information individual schools long individually identifiable information disclosed subjects ies volunteers provide ies uncompensated services punishment privacy violations sec requires ies data available public electronic means posting ies website easily accessible manner sec requires director establish performance management system promote continuous improvement activities authorized act ensure effective use federal funds developing measurable performance indicators including time lines evaluate improve activities performance indicators inform funding decisions establishing improving formal stakeholder feedback mechanisms promoting wide dissemination utilization ihe information products publications sec requires director provide secretary relevant offices advance copy ies publications public release sec repeals provisions dealing filling vacancies board ies removing commissioners director board members sec establishes goal director research evaluation statistics fellowships ihes improving nation capacity carry high quality research evaluation statistics related education mission sec reauthorizes appropriations activities act fy2020 technical conforming amendments sec makes technical conforming amendments elementary secondary education act individuals disabilities education act title educational technical assistance sec amends define school leader sec directs secretary award competitive grants contracts cooperative agreements public private nonprofit profit research organizations organizations ihes establish comprehensive centers provide states leas technical assistance analysis training build capacity implement federal educational laws research based practices directs secretary establish comprehensive center geographic regions served regional educational laboratories established improvement act allows secretary establish additional comprehensive centers serving regions nation authorizes secretary determine establishing comprehensive centers unnecessary grant alternative number awards reorganize centers include organizing centers content areas instead regions insufficient number centers meeting needs regions meeting capacity meet specified performance indicators requires secretary priority applicants provide portion nonfederal funds maximize support comprehensive centers requires comprehensive centers consider number low performing schools area considering area need assistance includes training professional development technical assistance provided comprehensive centers replication adaptation exemplary practices innovative methods evidence base effectiveness authorizes currently requires comprehensive center establish advisory board support priorities center prohibits advisory board exceeding members requires advisory board include state official lea representatives researchers representative advisory board regional educational laboratory region served center requires annual report comprehensive center provides secretary include description center meeting educational needs region measurable performance indicators changes plan improve effectiveness sec requires secretary provide interim summative evaluation comprehensive center end grant contract cooperative agreement established center transmit results evaluations congress director public sec repeals requirement secretary establish regional advisory committee region country served regional educational laboratory sec requires director secretary establish priorities regional educational laboratories comprehensive centers results relevant regional national surveys educational needs sec allows states receive competitive grants design develop implement statewide longitudinal data systems provide subgrants leas role activities requires data systems consistent requirements elementary secondary education act esea higher education act individuals disabilities education act requires secretary awarding grants establish measurable performance indicators use assessing ongoing progress performance state grantees designing developing implementing systems requires peer review process awarding grants promote generation use data needed align statewide longitudinal data systems early education postsecondary education workforce ensure protection student privacy ensure state grantees support professional development enables teachers school leaders use data effectively priority states leverage use systems improve student achievement growth including demonstrating capacity share teacher school leader performance data leas teacher school leader preparation programs authorizes secretary renew grants years state demonstrates progress measurable performance indicators directs secretary report publicly available year act enactment years implementation effectiveness activities carried state grantees sec reauthorizes appropriations activities act fy2020 title iii national assessment educational progress sec amends require oversee set policies national_assessment_of_educational_progress consistent duties accepted professional standards includes elementary school leader secondary school leader replaces requirement school principals selected directs secretary fill vacancies individuals nominated requires assessment board consult statistics commissioner carrying functions directs selecting subject areas assessed select grades ages assessed year assessments conducted requires school leaders involved assessment review process directs provide input director annual budget requests national_assessment_of_educational_progress sec directs statistics commissioner carry national_assessment_of_educational_progress manner consistent accepted professional standards policies set forth adds statistics commissioner duties determining content initial subsequent national_assessment_of_educational_progress reports ensuring validity reliability requires leas participating school improvement program title esea participate national_assessment_of_educational_progress eliminates option allowing develop appropriate achievement levels age grade level subject area tested directs use national consensus approach establishing appropriate student achievement levels providing active participation teachers school leaders curriculum specialists local school administrators parents concerned members public sec defines school leader sec reauthorizes appropriations activities act fy2020 title evaluation plan sec requires ies primary entity conducting research evaluations federal education programs department_of_education ensure rigor independence research evaluations authorizes secretary reserve consolidate specified percentages funds esea programs carry high quality evaluations programs authorized esea increase usefulness evaluations assist esea program grantees collecting analyzing data activities related evaluations prohibits secretary required evaluate esea program year requires secretary director disseminate findings evaluations requires director biennial basis develop submit congress publicly available evaluation plan describes specific activities carried reserved funds years plan contains results activities carried funds recent year period describes esea programs regularly evaluated


Summary:
Strengthening Research in Adult Education Act - Amends the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to revise the mission statement for the Institute of Education Sciences of the Department of Education to ensure access to, and opportunities for, adult education and literacy activities.

Revises the composition of presidential appointees to the National Board for Education Sciences to include adult educators.

Revises the mission statement for the Institute's National Center for Education Research (Research Center) to include improving the literacy and numeracy skills of individuals who need adult education.

Revises also the Research Center's duties to include research on successful state and local adult education and literacy activities that:

 result in increased literacy, numeracy, and educational attainment for adult learners, or prepare students for postsecondary education or employment. Directs the Research Commissioner to support, through national research and development centers or through other means, research on adult education and digital literacy.

Revises duties of the National Center for Education Statistics to require it to include in the statistical data on education in the United States it collects, analyzes, and disseminates data on access to, and opportunity for, adult education and literacy activities.

Requires the National Center for Education and Regional Assistance to disseminate widely certain educational information with respect to educational practices that improve digital literacy.

Amends the Educational Technical Assistance Act of 2002 to revise the composition of regional advisory committees to include representatives of local or regional adult education providers.

strengthening research adult education act amends education sciences reform act revise mission statement ensure access opportunities adult education literacy activities revises composition presidential appointees include adult educators revises mission statement include improving literacy skills individuals need adult education revises research_center duties include research successful state local adult education literacy activities result increased literacy educational attainment adult learners prepare students postsecondary education employment directs research commissioner support national research development centers means research adult education digital literacy revises duties national_center_for_education_statistics require include statistical data education united_states collects analyzes disseminates data access opportunity adult education literacy activities requires regional assistance disseminate widely certain educational information respect educational practices improve digital literacy amends educational technical assistance act revise composition regional advisory committees include representatives local regional adult education providers


Summary:
Transparency in Education Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Education from issuing a final rule or implementing a proposed rule affecting the determination as to whether a postsecondary career education program provides training that leads to gainful employment in a recognized occupation, which is required if it is to participate in a program under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), until 90 days after:

 the Secretary publishes a complete data analysis on the impact of such proposed rule on all postsecondary education programs and students at all categories of institutions of higher education that participate in a program under title IV of the HEA, that analysis is published in a format similar to the Gainful Employment 2012 Informational Rate Calculations published by the Department of Education, and the Comptroller General (GAO) issues a report that reviews such data analysis for accuracy and completeness.

transparency education act prohibits secretary education issuing final rule implementing proposed rule affecting determination postsecondary career education program provides training leads gainful employment recognized occupation required participate program title student assistance higher education act hea days secretary publishes complete data analysis impact proposed rule postsecondary education programs students categories institutions higher education participate program title hea analysis published format similar informational rate calculations published department_of_education comptroller_general gao issues report reviews data analysis accuracy completeness