Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 2.djvu/136

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104 STAT. 1116 PUBLIC LAW 101-476—OCT. 30, 1990 "(C) conducting pursuant to this subsection a study that examines the degree of disparity among States with regard to the placement in various educational settings of children and youth with similar disabilities, especially those with mental retardation, and, to the extent that such disparity exists, the factors that lead such children and youth to be educated in significantly different educational settings. "(D) conducting pursuant to this subsection a study that examines the factors that have contributed to the decline in the number of children classified as mentally retarded since the implementation of this Act, and examines the current disparity among States in the percentage of children so classified. "(E) conducting pursuant to this subsection a study that examines the extent to which out-of-community residential programs are used for children and youth who are seriously emotionally disturbed, the factors that influence the selection of such placements, the degree to which such individuals transition back to education programs in their communities, and the factors that facilitate or impede such transition. "(F) conducting pursuant to this subsection a study that examines (i) the factors that influence the referral and placement decisions and types of placements, by disability category and English language proficiency, of minority children relative to other children, (ii) the extent to which these children are placed in regular education environments, (iii) the extent to which the parents of these children are involved in placement decisions and in the development and implementation of the individualized education program and the results of such participation, and (iv) the type of support provided to parents of these children that enable these parents to understand and participate in the educational process. "(f) The Secretary shall make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with. State or local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, other public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations to support activities that organize, sjmthesize, interpret, and integrate information obtained under subsections (c) and (e) with relevant knowledge obtained from other sources. Such activities shall include the selection and design of content, formats, and means for communicating such information effectively to specific or general audiences, in order to promote the use of such information in improving program administration and mangigement, and service delivery and effectiveness. "(g)(1)(A) The Secretary is authorized to conduct activities, directly or by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, to prepare an annual report on the progress being made toward the provision of— "(i) a free appropriate public education to all children and youth with disabilities; and "(ii) early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. Reports. "(B) Not later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall transmit a copy of the report authorized under subparagraph (A) to the appropriate committees of each House of Congress. The annual report shall be published and disseminated in sufficient quantities to the education and disability communities and to other interested parties. "(2) The Secretary shall include in each annual report under paragraph (1)—