PUBLIC LAW 107-368—DEC. 19, 2002 116 STAT. 3053 SEC. 11. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTERS FOR RESEARCH ON MATHE- 42 USC 1862n-2. MATICS AND SCIENCE LEARNING AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT. (a) ESTABLISHMENT.— Grants. (1) IN GENERAL. — (A) The Director shall award grants to institutions of higher education (or consortia thereof) to establish multidisciplinary Centers for Research on Learning and Education Improvement. (B) Grants shall be awarded under this paragraph on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. (2) PURPOSE. — The purpose of the Centers shall be to conduct and evaluate research in cognitive science, education, and related fields and to develop ways in which the results of such research can be applied in elementary school and secondary school classrooms to improve the teaching of mathematics and science. (3) Focus. —(A) Each Center shall be focused on a different challenge faced by elementary school or secondary school teachers of mathematics and science. In determining the research focus of the Centers, the Director shall consult with the National Academy of Sciences and the Secretary of Education and take into account the extent to which other Federal programs support research on similar questions. (B) The proposal solicitation issued by the Director shall state the focus of each Center and applicants shall apply for designation as a specific Center. (C) At least one Center shall focus on developing ways in which the results of research described in paragraph (2) can be applied, duplicated, and scaled up for use in low-performing elementary schools and secondary schools to improve the teaching and student achievement levels in mathematics and science. (D) To the extent practicable and relevant to its focus, every Center shall include, as part of its research, work designed to quantitatively assess and improve the ways that information technology is used in the teaching of mathematics and science. (b) SELECTION PROCESS.— (1) APPLICATION. —An institution of higher education (or a consortium of such institutions) seeking funding under this section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. The application shall include, at a minimum, a description of— (A) the initial research projects that will be undertaken by the Center and the process by which new projects will be identified; (B) how the Center will work with other research institutions and schools to broaden the national research agenda on learning and teaching; (C) how the Center will promote active collaboration among physical, biological, and social science researchers; (D) how the Center will promote active participation by elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers and administrators; and
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