108 STAT. 4032 PUBLIC LAW 103-382—OCT. 20, 1994 other population characteristics when such disaggregated information would facilitate educational and policy decisionmaking; (5) assisting public and private educational agencies, organizations, and institutions in improving and automating statistical and data collection activities; and (6) acquiring and disseminating data on educational activities and student achievement in the United States compared with foreign nations. (b) TRAINING PROGRAM.— The Commissioner may establish a . program to train employees of public and private educational agencies, organizations, and institutions in the use of the Center's standard statistical procedures and concepts and may establish a fellows program to appoint such employees as temporary fellows at the Center in order to assist the Center in carrying out its duties. 20 USC 9004. SEC. 405. PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES. (a) GRANTS, CONTRACTS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the Commissioner's duties
- fc under this title, the Commissioner may award grants, and
enter into contracts and cooperative agreements. (2) DURATION. —Notwithstanding any other provision of " law, the grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this section may be awarded, on a competitive basis, for a period of not more than five years, and may be renewed at the discretion of the Commissioner for an additional period of not more than five years. (b) GATHERING INFORMATION. — (1) SAMPLING.— The Commissioner may use the statistical •:. method known as sampling to carry out the purpose of this title. (2) SOURCE OF INFORMATION.— The Commissioner may, as the Commissioner considers appropriate, use information collected— (A) from States, local educational agencies, public and 3; private schools, preschools, institutions of higher education, libraries, administrators, teachers, students, the general -" public, and such other individuals, organizations, agencies, and institutions as the Commissioner may consider appropriate; and (B) by other offices within the Department -^ and by other Federed departments, agencies, and instrumentalities. (3) COLLECTION.— The Commissioner may— (A) enter into interagency agreements for the collection of statistics; (B) arrange with any agency, organization, or institution for the collection of statistics; and (C) assign employees of the Center to any such agency, organization, or institution to assist in such collection. (4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COORDINATION.—In order to maximize the effectiveness of Federal efforts to serve the educational needs of children and youth, the Commissioner shall— (A) provide technical assistance to Department offices that gather data for statistical purposes; and
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