§6674 Technical Assistance and National Evaluation

Summary

The Secretary must use reserved federal funds for the year to create a national center focused on students who are at risk of not reaching full literacy because of a disability. The Secretary can also give technical help to States and local school districts through grants, contracts, or direct work, and can evaluate their programs. Any evaluations must be done by an independent third party or by the Institute of Education Sciences. The center must find or make free or low-cost, evidence-based tools for spotting at-risk students (including dyslexia or developmental delays that affect reading, writing, language processing, comprehension, or executive functioning). It must also find proven teaching methods, accommodations, and assistive technology; give useful information to families; create professional training for teachers and school staff so they can spot early signs, use screening tests beginning not later than kindergarten, and teach effectively; and share its materials widely with State and local education agencies and schools.