Sec. 102. NATIONAL EDUCATION COMMISSION ON TIME AND LEARNING
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## SEC. 102 NATIONAL EDUCATION COMMISSION ON TIME AND LEARNING ###
(a)Establishment There is hereby established a National Education Commission on Time and Learning (hereafter in this title referred to as the “Commission”). ###
(b)Membership of the Commission ####
(1)In general The Commission shall consist of nine members, of whom— #####
(A)3 members shall be appointed by the Secretary of Education (hereafter in this Act referred to as the “Secretary”); #####
(B)3 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in consultation with the minority leader of the House of Representatives; and #####
(C)3 members shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate upon the recommendation of the majority leader and minority leader of the Senate. ####
(2)Requirements #####
(A)After consultation among the appointing authorities, members of the Commission shall be appointed on the basis of exceptional education, training, or experience from among— ######
(i)the Nation's Governors; ######
(ii)individuals from the business community; ######
(iii)individuals who are engaged in the profession of teaching; ######
(iv)individuals engaged in school administration, members of school boards, and parents or representatives of parents or parent organizations; ######
(v)State officials directly responsible for education; ######
(vi)Federal officials responsible for education policy; ######
(vii)educational researchers with experience relevant to the Commission's work; ######
(viii)Members of Congress and State legislators; and ######
(ix)representatives of nonprofit organizations or foundations which work to expand educational opportunities for children outside of school hours. ####
(3)Vacancies A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made. ####
(4)Terms Members of the Commission shall be appointed to serve for the life of the Commission. ####
(5)Compensation Each member of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be allowed travel expenses including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, when engaged in the performance of Commission duties. ####
(6)Activity of commission The Commission may begin to carry out its duties under this subsection when at least 5 members of the Commission have been appointed. ###
(c)Functions of the Commission ####
(1)Study The Commission shall examine the quality and adequacy of the study and learning time of elementary and secondary students in the United States, including issues regarding the length of the school day and year, the extent and role of homework, how time is being used for academic subjects, year-round professional opportunities for teachers, and the use of school facilities for extended learning programs. ####
(2)Report The Commission shall submit a final report under subsection (d). The report shall include an analysis and recommendations concerning— #####
(A)the length of the academic day and the academic year in elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States and in schools of other nations; #####
(B)the time children spend in school learning academic subjects such as English, mathematics, science, history, and geography; #####
(C)the use of incentives for students to increase their educational achievement in available instruction time; #####
(D)how children spend their time outside school with particular attention to how much of that time can be considered “learning time” and how out-of-school activities affect intellectual development; #####
(E)the time children spend on homework, how much of that time is spent on academic subjects, the importance that parents and teachers attach to homework, and the extent to which homework contributes to student learning; #####
(F)year-round professional opportunities for teachers and how teachers can use their time to acquire knowledge and skills that will permit them to improve their performance and help raise the status of the profession; #####
(G)how school facilities are used for extended learning programs; #####
(H)the appropriate number of hours per day and days per year of instruction for United States public elementary and secondary schools; #####
(I)if appropriate, a model plan for adopting a longer academic day and academic year for use by United States elementary and secondary schools by the end of this decade, including recommendations regarding mechanisms to assist States, school districts, schools, and parents in making the transition from the current academic day and year to an academic day and year of a longer duration; #####
(J)suggestions for such changes in laws and regulations as may be required to facilitate States, school districts, and schools in adopting longer academic days and years; and #####
(K)an analysis and estimate of the additional costs, including the cost of increased teacher compensation, to States and local school districts if longer academic days and years are adopted. ###
(d)Commission Report Not later than 2 years after the Commission concludes its first meeting, the Commission shall submit a final report to the Congress and the Secretary on the study and any recommendations required pursuant to the provisions of this section. ###
(e)Powers of the Commission ####
(1)Hearings The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this section, conduct such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence, as the Commission considers appropriate. ####
(2)Testimony; public hearings In carrying out this section, the Commission shall receive testimony and conduct public hearings in different geographic areas of the country, both urban and rural, to receive the reports, views, and analyses of a broad spectrum of experts and the public regarding the quality and adequacy of the time devoted to study and learning. ####
(3)Information The Commission may secure directly from any Federal agency such information, relevant to its functions, as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out this subsection. Upon request of the Chairman of the Commission, the head of the agency shall, to the extent permitted by law, furnish such information to the Commission. ####
(4)Gifts The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of money, services, or property, for the purpose of aiding the work of the Commission. ####
(5)Use of mails The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as the department and agencies of the United States. ####
(6)Support services The Secretary shall provide to the Commission on a reimbursable basis such reasonable administrative and support services as the Commission may request. ###
(f)Administrative Provisions ####
(1)Meetings The Commission shall meet on a regular basis, as necessary, at the call of the Chairman or a majority of its members. ####
(2)Quorum A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. ####
(3)Chairman and vice chairman #####
(A)The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Commission shall be elected by and from the members of the Commission. #####
(B)The Commission shall appoint a staff director, who shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay under section 5376 of title 5, United States Code, and such professional and clerical personnel as may be reasonable and necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its functions without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, or of any other provision of law, relating to the number, classification, and General Schedule rates, except that no employee, other than the staff director, may be compensated at a rate to exceed the maximum rate applicable to level 15 of the General Schedule. ####
(4)Other federal personnel Upon request of the Chairman of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency is authorized to detail, without reimbursement, any personnel of such agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this title. Such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. ###
(g)Termination of the Commission The Commission shall terminate on September 30, 1994. ###
(h)Authorization of Appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994 to carry out the provisions of this title. * * * * * * * # TITLE IV NATIONAL COUNCIL ON EDUCATION STANDARDS AND TESTING