PUBLIC LAW 105-285—OCT. 27, 1998 112 STAT. 2725 "(iii) to comment, if the panel so desires, on the interim and final research reports submitted under paragraph (7). "(B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.— The members of the panel shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the panel, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the panel. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the panel. "(2) GENERAL AUTHORITY,—After reviewing the rec- Contracts. ommendations of the expert panel, the Secretary shall msike a grant to, or enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with, an organization to conduct independent research that provides a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. The Secretary shall ensure that the organization shall have expertise in program evaluation, and reseeirch, education, and eaily childhood programs. "(3) DESIGNS AND TECHNIQUES. —The Secretary shall ensure that the research uses rigorous methodological designs and techniques (based on the recommendations of the expert panel), including longitudinal designs, control groups, nationally recognized standardized measures, and random selection and assignment, as appropriate. The Secretary may provide that the research shall be conducted as a single comprehensive assessment or as a group of coordinated assessments designed to provide, when taken together, a national analysis of the impact of Head Start programs. "(4) PROGRAMS.— The Secretary shall ensure that the research focuses primarily on Head Start programs that operate in the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia and that do not specifically target special populations. "(5) ANALYSIS.—The Secretary shall ensure that the organization conducting the research— "(A)(i) determines if, overall, the Head Start programs have impacts consistent with their primary goal of increasing the social competence of children, by increasing the everyday effectiveness of the children in dealing with their present environments and future responsibilities, and increasing their school readiness; "(ii) considers whether the Head Start programs— "(I) enhance the growth and development of children in cognitive, emotional, and physical health areas; "(H) strengthen families as the primary nurturers of their children; and "(HI) ensure that children attain school readiness; and "(iii) examines— "(I) the impact of the Head Start programs on increasing access of children to such services as educational, health, and nutritional services, and linking
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