Study.—

Sec. 308. Study.—The National Academy of Sciences shall, not later than September 1, 1998, submit a written report to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate that evaluates all test items developed or funded by the Department of Education or any other agency of the Federal Government pursuant to contract RJ97153001, any subsequent contract related thereto, or any contract modification by the National Assessment Governing Board pursuant to section 307 of this Act, for— (1) the technical quality of any test items for 4th grade reading and 8th grade mathematics; (2) the validity, reliability, and adequacy of developed test items; (3) the validity of any developed design which links test results to student performance; (4) the degree to which any developed test items provide valid and useful information to the public; (5) whether the test items are free from racial, cultural, or gender bias; (6) whether the test items address the needs of disadvantaged, limited English proficient and disabled students; and (7) whether the test items can be used for tracking, graduation or promotion of students.