Ill STAT. 144 PUBLIC LAW 105-17-JUNE 4, 1997 "(2) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may support studies, evaluations, and assessments, including studies that— "(A) analyze measurable impact, outcomes, and results achieved by State educational agencies and local educational agencies through their activities to reform policies, procedures, and practices designed to improve educational and transitional services and results for children with disabilities; "(B) analyze State and local needs for professional development, parent training, and other appropriate activities that can reduce the need for disciplinary actions involving children with disabilities; "(C) assess educational and transitional services and results for children with disabilities from minority backgrounds, including— "(i) data on— "(I) the number of minority children who are referred for special education evaluation; "(II) the number of minority children who are receiving special education and related services and their educational or other service placement; and "(III) the number of minority children who graduated from secondary and postsecondary education programs; and "(ii) the performance of children with disabilities from minority backgrounds on State assessments and other performance indicators established for all students; "(D) measure educational and transitional services and results of children with disabilities under this Act, including longitudinal studies that— "(i) examine educational and transitional services and results for children with disabilities who are 3 through 17 years of age and are receiving special education and related services under this Act, using a national, representative sample of distinct age cohorts and disability categories; and "(ii) examine educational results, postsecondary placement, and employment status of individuals with disabilities, 18 through 21 years of age, who are receiving or have received special education and related services under this Act; and "(E) identify and report on the placement of children with disabilities by disability category. "(b) NATIONAL ASSESSMENT. — "(1) IN GENERAL. —The Secretary shall carry out a national assessment of activities carried out with Federal funds under this Act in order— "(A) to determine the effectiveness of this Act in achieving its purposes; "(B) to provide information to the President, the Congress, the States, local educational agencies, and the public on how to implement the Act more effectively; and
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