§ 38–785.02. Establishment of District of Columbia Education Research Practice Partnership.

(a) The District of Columbia Education Research Practice Partnership shall consist of an independent, non-governmental entity selected through the competitive process as established in § 38-785.03 and subject to a master research services agreement entered into with the District pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.

(b) The Partnership shall conduct independent education-related research that will support improvement in the District's public schools, and shall publicly report the findings of the research, and will also benefit the Council's legislative and oversight responsibilities.

(c)(1) Within 60 days of the independent, non-governmental entity being chosen pursuant to § 38-785.03, the District shall enter into a master research services agreement ("Agreement"), encompassing data collection, sharing, ownership, and confidentiality, with the chosen independent, non-governmental entity for the purpose of enabling the Partnership to carry out its purposes.

(2) The Agreement also shall set forth in broad terms the general scope of services and the process for developing research projects. The Agreement shall not direct the research agenda or any specific research projects.

(3) The Agreement shall be updated at least once every 5 years or as needed.

(d) Notwithstanding § 1-328.13, in Fiscal Year 2023 no later than November 15, 2022, the Deputy Mayor for Education shall issue a grant to the Partnership in the amount of $400,000.