(a) Grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements
In carrying out the duties under this part, the Statistics Commissioner,[1] may award grants, enter into contracts and cooperative agreements, and provide technical assistance.
(b) Gathering information
(1) Sampling
The Statistics Commissioner may use the statistical method known as sampling (including random sampling) to carry out this part.
(2) Source of informationThe Statistics Commissioner may, as appropriate, use information collected—
(A)
from States, local educational agencies, public and private schools, preschools, institutions of higher education, vocational and adult education programs, libraries, administrators, teachers, students, the general public, and other individuals, organizations, agencies, and institutions (including information collected by States and local educational agencies for their own use); and
(B)
by other offices within the Institute and by other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities.
(4) Technical assistance and coordinationIn order to maximize the effectiveness of Department efforts to serve the educational needs of children and youth, the Statistics Commissioner shall—
(A)
provide technical assistance to the Department offices that gather data for statistical purposes; and
(c) 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 5 years, and may be renewed at the discretion of the Statistics Commissioner for an additional period of not more than 5 years.