116 STAT. 1954 PUBLIC LAW 107-279—NOV. 5, 2002 PART B—NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION RESEARCH 20 USC 9531. SEC. 131. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) ESTABLISHMENT. —T here is established in the Institute a National Center for Education Research (in this part referred to as the "Research Center"). (b) MISSION. —The mission of the Research Center is— (1) to sponsor sustained research that will lead to the accumulation of knowledge and understanding of education, to— (A) ensure that all children have access to a highquality education; (B) improve student academic achievement, including through the use of educational technology; (C) close the achievement gap between high-performing and low-performing students through the improvement of teaching and learning of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and other academic subjects; and (D) improve access to, and opportunity for, postsecondary education; (2) to support the synthesis and, as appropriate, the integration of education research; (3) to promote quality and integrity through the use of accepted practices of scientific inquiry to obtain knowledge and understanding of the validity of education theories, practices, or conditions; and (4) to promote scientifically valid research findings that can provide the basis for improving academic instruction and lifelong learning. 20 USC 9532. SEC. 132. COMMISSIONER FOR EDUCATION RESEARCH. The Research Center shall be headed by a Commissioner for Education Research (in this part referred to as the "Research Commissioner") who shall have substantial knowledge of the activities of the Research Center, including a high level of expertise in the fields of research and research management. 20 USC 9533. SEC. 133. DUTIES. (a) GENERAL DUTIES. —The Research Center shall— (1) maintain published peer-review standards and standards for the conduct and evaluation of all research and development carried out under the auspices of the Research Center in accordance with this part; (2) propose to the Director a research plan that— (A) is consistent with the priorities and mission of the Institute and the mission of the Research Center and includes the activities described in paragraph (3); and (B) shall be carried out pursuant to paragraph (4) and, as appropriate, be updated and modified; (3) carry out specific, long-term research activities that are consistent with the priorities and mission of the Institute, and are approved by the Director; (4) implement the plan proposed under paragraph (2) to carry out scientifically valid research that—
�
