112 STAT. 3090 PUBLIC LAW 105-332—OCT. 31, 1998 this title, including an analysis of performance data regarding special populations. "(2) COMPATIBILITY.— The Secretary shall, to the extent feasible, ensure that the performance information system is compatible with other Federal information systems. "(3) ASSESSMENTS. —As a regular part of its assessments, the National Center for Education Statistics shall collect and report information on vocational and technical education for a nationally representative sample of students. Such assessment may include international comparisons. " (b) MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.— " (1) COLLECTION OF INFORMATION AT REASONABLE COST.— The Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to secure at reasonable cost the information required by this title. To ensure reasonable cost, the Secretary, in consultation with the National Center for Education Statistics, the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, and an entity assisted under section 118 shall determine the methodology to be used and the frequency with which information is to be collected. "(2) COOPERATION OF STATES.—All eligible agencies receiving assistance under this Act shall cooperate with the Secretary in implementing the information systems developed pursuant to this Act. " (c) RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DISSEMINATION, EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT.— "(1) SINGLE PLAN. — "(A) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary may, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, carry out research, development, dissemination, evaluation and assessment, capacity building, and technical assistance with regard to the vocational and technical education programs under this Act. The Secretary shall develop a single plan for such activities. "(B) PLAN.— Such plan shall— "(i) identify the vocational and technical education activities described in subparagraph (A) the Secretary will carry out under this section; "(ii) describe how the Secretary will evaluate such vocational and technical education activities in accordance with paragraph (3); and "(iii) include such other information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. "(2) INDEPENDENT ADVISORY PANEL.— The Secretary shall appoint an independent advisory panel, consisting of vocational and technical education administrators, educators, researchers, and representatives of labor organizations, businesses, parents, guidance and counseling professionals, and other relevant groups, to advise the Secretary on the implementation of the assessment described in paragraph (3), including the issues to be addressed, the methodology of the studies involved, and the findings and recommendations resulting from the assessment. The panel shall submit to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, and the
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