20 U.S.C. § 9511 — Establishment

(a) Establishment. The Department^* must have an Institute^* of Education Sciences, administered by a Director^* and, as provided in section 9516, a board^* of directors.
(b) Mission. (1) The Institute’s mission is to lead nationally in expanding basic knowledge and understanding of education from early childhood through postsecondary study, so parents, educators, students, researchers, policymakers, and the public receive reliable information about (A) the condition and progress of United States education, including early-childhood and special education; (B) practices that support learning, improve achievement, and expand access for all students; and (C) how effective Federal and other education programs are. (2) To do this, the Institute must compile statistics, develop products, and conduct research, evaluations, and broad dissemination^* in areas of demonstrated national need, including technology, using Federal funds appropriated to it. These activities must (A) meet high standards of quality, integrity, and accuracy; and (B) be objective, secular, neutral, nonideological, free from partisan political influence, and free from racial, cultural, gender, and regional bias.
(c) Organization. The Institute consists of (1) the Office of the Director; (2) the National Board for Education Sciences; and (3) the National Education Centers: (A) National Center for Education Research; (B) National Center for Education Statistics; (C) National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance; and (D) National Center for Special Education Research.