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Institute of Education Sciences Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The Institute of Education Sciences (IES): Structure, Mission, and Operations

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The Institute of Education Sciences (IES): Structure, Mission, and Operations Study Guide

Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Overview and Mandate

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) functions as the independent, non-partisan statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) serves as the independent, non-partisan statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education.

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The primary mission of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is to advocate for specific education policies and legislative changes.

Answer: False

Explanation: The primary mission of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is to provide scientific evidence to inform education practice and policy, not to advocate for specific policies or legislative changes.

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The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) was established by the No Child Left Behind Act.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) was created as part of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002, not the No Child Left Behind Act.

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What is the primary function of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) within the U.S. Department of Education?

Answer: To provide scientific evidence to inform education practice and policy.

Explanation: The primary function of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is to provide scientific evidence to inform education practice and policy, serving as the independent statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education.

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By what legislative act was the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) created?

Answer: Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002

Explanation: The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) was created as part of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002.

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IES Leadership and Governance Structure

Grover Whitehurst was the first director of the Institute of Education Sciences and served for six years.

Answer: True

Explanation: Grover Whitehurst was the first director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), appointed in November 2002, and served for six years.

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As of March 2024, Elizabeth Albro is serving as the acting Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

Answer: False

Explanation: As of March 2024, Matthew Soldner is serving as the acting Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), while Elizabeth Albro is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Research (NCER).

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Matthew Soldner is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE).

Answer: True

Explanation: Matthew Soldner is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE).

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Elizabeth Albro serves as the Commissioner for the National Center for Education Research (NCER).

Answer: True

Explanation: Elizabeth Albro is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Research (NCER).

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James Lynn Woodworth is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Answer: True

Explanation: James Lynn Woodworth is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

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Joan E. McLaughlin is the Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER).

Answer: True

Explanation: Joan E. McLaughlin is the Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER).

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The National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) serves as an executive body that directs the daily operations of IES.

Answer: False

Explanation: The National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) serves as an advisory board to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), advising on research and organizational priorities, rather than directing daily operations.

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The National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) consists of 12 voting members appointed by the President of the United States.

Answer: False

Explanation: The National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) consists of 15 voting members appointed by the President of the United States, not 12.

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The director of IES and the commissioners of its four centers are ex-officio, non-voting members of the National Board for Education Sciences.

Answer: True

Explanation: The director of IES and the commissioners of its four centers are indeed ex-officio, non-voting members of the National Board for Education Sciences, alongside representatives from other federal entities.

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Larry Hedges, from Harvard University, was the former chairman of the National Board for Education Sciences.

Answer: False

Explanation: Larry Hedges, affiliated with Northwestern University, was the former chairman of the National Board for Education Sciences, not Harvard University.

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Who was the inaugural director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)?

Answer: Grover Whitehurst

Explanation: Grover Whitehurst was the first director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), appointed in November 2002.

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As of March 2024, who holds the position of acting Director for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)?

Answer: Matthew Soldner

Explanation: As of March 2024, Matthew Soldner is serving as the acting Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

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Who is the current Commissioner of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE)?

Answer: Matthew Soldner

Explanation: Matthew Soldner is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE).

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Who serves as the Commissioner for the National Center for Education Research (NCER)?

Answer: Elizabeth Albro

Explanation: Elizabeth Albro is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Research (NCER).

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Who is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)?

Answer: James Lynn Woodworth

Explanation: James Lynn Woodworth is the Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

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Who holds the position of Commissioner for the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER)?

Answer: Joan E. McLaughlin

Explanation: Joan E. McLaughlin is the Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER).

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What is the advisory function of the National Board for Education Sciences (NBES)?

Answer: To advise and consult with the IES director and commissioners on research and organizational priorities.

Explanation: The National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) serves as an advisory board, consulting with the IES director and commissioners to identify key research and organizational priorities.

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How many voting members are on the National Board for Education Sciences (NBES), and by whom are they appointed?

Answer: 15 voting members, appointed by the President of the United States.

Explanation: The National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) has 15 voting members, all of whom are appointed by the President of the United States.

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Which of the following is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the National Board for Education Sciences?

Answer: The director of IES.

Explanation: The director of IES is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the National Board for Education Sciences, along with the commissioners of its four centers and representatives from other federal entities.

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Who was the former chairman of the National Board for Education Sciences (NBES)?

Answer: Larry Hedges

Explanation: Larry Hedges, affiliated with Northwestern University, was the former chairman of the National Board for Education Sciences.

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IES Research and Statistics Centers: Functions and Programs

IES is structured into three major research and statistics centers, including the National Center for Education Statistics.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is structured into four major research and statistics centers, not three.

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The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) is responsible for conducting large-scale evaluations of education programs and disseminating research information.

Answer: True

Explanation: The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) is responsible for conducting large-scale evaluations of education programs and practices and disseminating high-quality research information.

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The What Works Clearinghouse is a program managed under the National Center for Education Research (NCER).

Answer: False

Explanation: The What Works Clearinghouse is a program managed under the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE), not the National Center for Education Research (NCER).

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The primary objective of the National Center for Education Research (NCER) is to collect and analyze education data from the U.S. and other nations.

Answer: False

Explanation: The primary objective of the National Center for Education Research (NCER) is to support research that improves student outcomes, while the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is responsible for collecting and analyzing education data.

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The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the principal federal entity for collecting and analyzing education data.

Answer: True

Explanation: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the principal federal entity tasked with collecting and analyzing data pertinent to education in the United States and other nations.

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The National Assessment of Educational Progress, 'The Nation's Report Card,' is overseen by the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER).

Answer: False

Explanation: The National Assessment of Educational Progress is overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), not the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER).

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The National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) focuses exclusively on research for children with diagnosed disabilities.

Answer: False

Explanation: The National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) focuses on research for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities, as well as those who are at risk of developing disabilities, not exclusively on diagnosed disabilities.

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Which of the following is NOT one of the four major research and statistics centers that comprise the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)?

Answer: National Center for Education Policy Development (NCEP)

Explanation: The four major research and statistics centers of IES are NCEE, NCER, NCES, and NCSER. The National Center for Education Policy Development (NCEP) is not listed as one of them.

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What is a key responsibility of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE)?

Answer: Conducting large-scale evaluations of education programs and practices.

Explanation: The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) is responsible for conducting large-scale evaluations of education programs and practices, among other activities.

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Which of the following programs or resources is managed under the NCEE?

Answer: The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)

Explanation: The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is one of the programs and resources managed under the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE).

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What is the primary objective of the National Center for Education Research (NCER)?

Answer: To support research that improves student outcomes and the quality of education.

Explanation: The primary objective of the National Center for Education Research (NCER) is to support research that improves student outcomes and the quality of education in the United States.

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What is the fundamental role of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the federal government?

Answer: To collect and analyze data pertinent to education in the U.S. and other nations.

Explanation: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the principal federal entity tasked with collecting and analyzing data pertinent to education in the United States and other nations.

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Which prominent educational assessment program is overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)?

Answer: The National Assessment of Educational Progress

Explanation: The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as 'The Nation's Report Card,' is overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

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The National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) focuses on sponsoring research related to which group?

Answer: Infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities or at risk of developing disabilities.

Explanation: The National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) focuses on sponsoring research that expands knowledge and understanding of infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities, as well as those who are at risk of developing disabilities.

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Recent Developments and Controversies Affecting IES

President Biden announced his intention to appoint new members to the NBES on October 7, 2022.

Answer: True

Explanation: President Biden announced his intention to appoint 15 new members to the National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) on October 7, 2022.

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Criticisms of the Trump administration's NBES appointments primarily focused on the appointees' political affiliations.

Answer: False

Explanation: Criticisms of the Trump administration's NBES appointments primarily focused on the appointees' perceived lack of academic or educational research credentials, not their political affiliations.

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Professors Steve Hanke and John Yoo published a commentary in The New York Times regarding their unacknowledged commissions.

Answer: False

Explanation: Professors Steve Hanke and John Yoo published their commentary regarding unacknowledged commissions in The Wall Street Journal, not The New York Times.

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Hanke and Yoo referenced the 1803 U.S. Supreme Court case 'McCulloch v. Maryland' in their commentary.

Answer: False

Explanation: In their commentary, Professors Hanke and Yoo referenced the 1803 U.S. Supreme Court case 'Marbury v. Madison', not 'McCulloch v. Maryland'.

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The Pacific Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit against Secretary Cardona and the Department of Education in support of Hanke and Yoo's appointments.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Pacific Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for The District of Columbia against Secretary Cardona and the Department of Education, arguing that appointments could not be obstructed.

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The Biden administration resolved the NBES appointment controversy by re-affirming the Trump administration's appointments and allowing them to serve their full terms.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Biden administration resolved the NBES appointment controversy by acknowledging the validity of the appointments and then formally terminating them, not by allowing them to serve their full terms.

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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced plans to cut $881 million from IES contracts in February 2025.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced plans to cancel most of the Institute of Education Sciences' (IES) contracts, amounting to $881 million across 169 contracts, on February 10, 2025.

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Following the IES contract cancellations, researchers and contractors were given a grace period to complete ongoing projects.

Answer: False

Explanation: Following the IES contract cancellations, researchers and contractors were directed to immediately cease their work, with no grace period provided to complete ongoing projects.

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After the significant contract cuts, the Institute of Education Sciences was described as being 'all but shut down'.

Answer: True

Explanation: After the substantial contract cuts were announced, the Institute of Education Sciences was described as being 'all but shut down,' indicating a severe cessation of its normal operations.

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When did President Biden announce his intention to appoint new members to the National Board for Education Sciences (NBES)?

Answer: October 7, 2022

Explanation: President Biden announced his intention to appoint 15 new members to the National Board for Education Sciences (NBES) on October 7, 2022.

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What was the main criticism regarding the Trump administration's last-minute appointments to the NBES board?

Answer: The appointees lacked sufficient academic or educational research credentials.

Explanation: The main criticism regarding the Trump administration's last-minute appointments to the NBES board was the appointees' perceived lack of academic or educational research credentials.

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Which legal precedent did Professors Hanke and Yoo reference in their Wall Street Journal commentary regarding their unacknowledged appointments?

Answer: Marbury v. Madison

Explanation: Professors Hanke and Yoo referenced the landmark 1803 U.S. Supreme Court case of 'Marbury v. Madison' in their Wall Street Journal commentary.

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How did the Biden administration ultimately resolve the controversy over the NBES appointments?

Answer: They acknowledged the validity of the appointments and then formally terminated them.

Explanation: The Biden administration resolved the NBES appointment controversy by acknowledging the validity of the appointments made by the previous administration and then formally terminating them.

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What entity, led by Elon Musk, announced significant financial cuts to IES contracts in February 2025?

Answer: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Explanation: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a unit within the Trump administration led by Elon Musk, announced plans to cancel most of the Institute of Education Sciences' (IES) contracts.

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What was the immediate consequence for researchers and contractors following the announced IES contract cancellations?

Answer: They were directed to immediately cease their work.

Explanation: Following the announced IES contract cancellations, researchers and contractors received notices directing them to immediately cease their work.

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How was the overall operational status of the Institute of Education Sciences described after the significant contract cuts?

Answer: All but shut down.

Explanation: After the substantial contract cuts were announced, the Institute of Education Sciences was described as being 'all but shut down,' indicating a severe and near-complete cessation of its normal operations.

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IES Resources and Regulatory Context

Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations pertains to U.S. federal law governing environmental protection.

Answer: False

Explanation: Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations refers to the section of U.S. federal law that governs education, not environmental protection.

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The official website for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is ies.ed.gov.

Answer: True

Explanation: The official online presence for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) can be accessed through its website, ies.ed.gov.

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The official website for the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) is ncee.ed.gov.

Answer: False

Explanation: The official website for the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) is ies.ed.gov/ncee/, not ncee.ed.gov.

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Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations pertains to which area of U.S. federal law?

Answer: Education

Explanation: Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations refers to the section of U.S. federal law that governs education.

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What is the official website for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)?

Answer: ies.ed.gov

Explanation: The official website for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is ies.ed.gov.

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Where can individuals find the official website for the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE)?

Answer: ies.ed.gov/ncee/

Explanation: The official website for the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) is ies.ed.gov/ncee/.

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