Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) have introduced S. 2117, The Education Research & Development to Improve Achievement Act of 2007. With minor changes, the school improvement industry should support the bill. Listen here.
See relevant excerpts of the bill.S. 2117
A BILL To encourage the development of research-proven programs funded under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
SECTION I. Short Title.... the “Education Research & Development to Improve Achievement Act of 2007.”....
Subpart 1 of Part D of Title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by adding at the end the folllowing:
SEC. 5415. STUDIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORE PROGRAMS.
(a) PURPOSE. - The purpose of this section is to develop replicable, research-proven activities for core title I programs,
(c) APPLICATION. -
(2) CONTENTS. - Each application... shall -
(A) demonstrate a record of development of successful educational programs or conduct of large scale, peer -reviewed research, or both, as appropriate;
(B) establish clear objectives;
(C) establish annual benchmarks for progress;
(D) describe plans to develop or evaluate programs likely to enhance student achievement; and
(E) describe plans to disseminate findings and products of research and development.
(d) USE OF FUNDS
(1) Creating and evaluating new approaches in one or more of the following areas:
(A) Targeted areas of instruction under section 1111(b)(1)(C) [including at least mathematics, reading or language arts, and (beginning in the 2005–2006 school year) science]
(B) School improvement and restructuring under section 1116.
(C) Supplemental educational services under section 1116(e).
(D) Reading First under subpart 1 of part B of title I.
(5) Other programs as determined by the Secretary....
(2) Carrying out large-scale randomized evaluations of activities that have proven promising in small-scale evaluations.
(3) Carrying out large-scale randomized evaluations of existing programs.
(4) Supporting nonprofit developers of research proven activities in the creation of capacity for training, material production, and other needs to scale up programs rapidly.
(5) Disseminating information about effective activities and providing incentives for schools to adopt such activities
(c) MINIMUM GRANT. - The minimum amount for each grant awarded under this section shall be $500,000 annually....
(f) CONTINUATION OF GRANTS....
(1) if the grantee was reasonably on track with the objectives and benchmarks stated in the application; and.
(2) if the grantee has shown promise in the creation and evaluation of an effective program
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS....
(1) for fiscal year 2008, $100,000,000 or one fifth the amount appropriated to carry out this part for such fiscal year, whichever amount is greater....
(6) for fiscal year 2013, $150,000,000, or one fifth the amount appropriated to carry out this part for such fiscal year, whichever amount is greater.