PUBLIC LAW 105-17^JUNE 4, 1997 111 STAT. 153 in partnerships that are in the process of achieving systemic-change outcomes. "(D) Promoting communication and information exchange among States, local educational agencies, and other participants in partnerships, based on the needs and concerns identified by the participants in the partnerships, rather than on externally imposed criteria or topics, regarding— "(i) the practices, procedures, and policies of the States, local educational agencies, and other participants in partnerships; and "(ii) accountability of the States, local educational agencies, and other participants in partnerships for improved early intervention, educational, and transitional results for children with disabilities. "(c) SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— "(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall carry out or support activities, consistent with the objectives described in subsection (a), relating to areas of priority or specific populations. "(2) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES. —Examples of activities that may be carried out under this subsection include activities that— "(A) focus on specific areas of high-priority need that— "(i) are identified by States, local educational agencies, and other participants in partnerships; "(ii) require the development of new knowledge, or the analysis and synthesis of substantial bodies of information not readily available to the States, agencies, and other participants in partnerships; and "(iii) will contribute significantly to the improvement of early intervention, educational, and transitional services and results for children with disabilities and their families; "(B) focus on needs and issues that are specific to a population of children with disabilities, such as the provision of single-State and multi-State technical assistance and in-service training— "(i) to schools and agencies serving deaf-blind children and their families; and "(ii) to programs and agencies serving other groups of children with low-incidence disabilities and their families; or "(C) address the postsecondary education needs of individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. "(d) NATIONAL INFORMATION DISSEMINATION; AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— "(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall carry out or support information dissemination activities that are consistent with the objectives described in subsection (a), including activities that address national needs for the preparation and dissemination of information relating to eliminating barriers to systemic-change and improving early intervention, educational, and transitional results for children with disabilities.
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