                CHAPTER 71--NATIONAL EDUCATION STATISTICS
 
Sec. 9001. Findings; purpose; definitions


(a) Findings

    The Congress finds that--
        (1) a Department of Education was established in 1867 ``for the 
    purpose of collecting such statistics and facts as shall show the 
    condition and progress of education in the several States and 
    territories, and of diffusing such information respecting the 
    organization and management of schools and school systems and 
    methods of teaching as shall aid the people of the United States in 
    the establishment and maintenance of efficient school systems, and 
    otherwise promote the cause of education throughout the United 
    States'';
        (2) today, while the role of the current Department of Education 
    is much broader, the National Center for Education Statistics within 
    the Office of Educational Research and Improvement continues to 
    perform those crucial original purposes; and
        (3) looking to the 21st century, the National Center for 
    Education Statistics must be able to design and undertake, 
    effectively and efficiently, statistical activities that will aid in 
    the reform of the Nation's educational systems.

(b) Purpose

    It is the purpose of this chapter to ensure the continuation of an 
effective mechanism for collecting and reporting statistics and 
information showing the condition and progress of education in the 
United States and other nations in order to promote and accelerate the 
improvement of American education.

(c) Definitions

    For the purpose of this chapter and unless otherwise specified--
        (1) the term ``Assistant Secretary'' means the Assistant 
    Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement established under 
    section 3412(b)(1)(E) \1\ of this title;
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    \1\ See References in Text note below.
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        (2) the term ``Department'' means the Department of Education;
        (3) the term ``institution of higher education'' has the same 
    meaning given such term in section 1001 of this title;
        (4) the term ``local educational agency'' has the same meaning 
    given such term in section 8801 of this title;
        (5) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education;
        (6) the term ``State educational agency'' has the same meaning 
    given such term in section 8801 of this title; and
        (7) the terms ``State'' and ``United States''--
            (A) other than for the purpose of section 9010 of this 
        title, mean each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 
        the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
            (B) for the purpose of section 9010 of this title, have the 
        same meaning given such terms in subparagraph (A), except that 
        such terms include Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of 
        the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and 
        Palau.

(Pub. L. 103-382, title IV, Sec. 402, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 4029; 
Pub. L. 105-244, title I, Sec. 102(a)(6)(L), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 
1619.)

                       References in Text

    The reference to section 3412(b)(1)(E) of this title in subsec. 
(c)(1) probably should be a reference to section 3412(b)(3) of this 
title. Pub. L. 103-227, title IX, Sec. 913, Mar. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 
223, amended section 3412 by striking out subsec. (b)(1)(E) which 
related to an Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and 
Improvement, redesignating subsec. (b)(1)(F) as (b)(1)(E), and adding a 
subsec. (b)(3) which relates to an Assistant Secretary for Educational 
Research and Improvement.


                               Amendments

    1998--Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 105-244 substituted ``section 1001'' 
for ``section 1141(a)''.


                    Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 105-244 effective Oct. 1, 1998, except as 
otherwise provided in Pub. L. 105-244, see section 3 of Pub. L. 105-244, 
set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.


                               Short Title

    Section 401 of Pub. L. 103-382 provided that: ``This title [enacting 
this chapter] may be cited as the `National Education Statistics Act of 
1994'.''
