 
                CHAPTER 71--NATIONAL EDUCATION STATISTICS
 
Sec. 9004. Performance of duties


(a) Grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements

                           (1) In general

        In carrying out the Commissioner's duties under this chapter, 
    the Commissioner may award grants, and enter into contracts and 
    cooperative agreements.

                            (2) 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 five 
    years, and may be renewed at the discretion of the Commissioner for 
    an additional period of not more than five years.

(b) Gathering information

                            (1) Sampling

        The Commissioner may use the statistical method known as 
    sampling to carry out the purpose of this chapter.

                      (2) Source of information

        The Commissioner may, as the Commissioner considers appropriate, 
    use information collected--
            (A) from States, local educational agencies, public and 
        private schools, preschools, institutions of higher education, 
        libraries, administrators, teachers, students, the general 
        public, and such other individuals, organizations, agencies, and 
        institutions as the Commissioner may consider appropriate; and
            (B) by other offices within the Department and by other 
        Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities.

                           (3) Collection

        The Commissioner may--
            (A) enter into interagency agreements for the collection of 
        statistics;
            (B) arrange with any agency, organization, or institution 
        for the collection of statistics; and
            (C) assign employees of the Center to any such agency, 
        organization, or institution to assist in such collection.

              (4) Technical assistance and coordination

        In order to maximize the effectiveness of Federal efforts to 
    serve the educational needs of children and youth, the Commissioner 
    shall--
            (A) provide technical assistance to Department offices that 
        gather data for statistical purposes; and
            (B) coordinate closely with other Department offices in the 
        collection of data.

(Pub. L. 103-382, title IV, Sec. 405, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 4032.)
