For the purpose of advising and assisting the Secretary of Education (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) with respect to the education of the deaf, there is hereby created a National Advisory Committee on Education of the Deaf, which shall consist of twelve persons, not otherwise in the employ of the United States, appointed by the Secretary without regard to the civil service laws.

(1) For the purpose of advising and assisting the Secretary of Education (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) with respect to the education of the deaf, there is hereby created a National Advisory Committee on Education of the Deaf, which shall consist of twelve persons, not otherwise in the employ of the United States, appointed by the Secretary without regard to the civil service laws.

(2) The membership of the Advisory Committee shall include educators of the deaf, persons interested in education of the deaf, educators of the hearing, and deaf individuals.

(3) The Secretary shall from time to time designate one of the members of the Advisory Committee to serve as Chairman of the Advisory Committee.

(4) Each member of the Advisory Committee shall serve for a term of four years, except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term, and except that the terms of the office of the members first taking office shall expire, as designated by the Secretary at the time of appointment, three at the end of the first year, three at the end of the second year, three at the end of the third year, and three at the end of the fourth year after the date of appointment.

(5) A member of the Advisory Committee shall not be eligible to serve continuously for more than one term.

The Advisory Committee shall advise the Secretary concerning the carrying out of existing and the formulating of new or modified programs with respect to the education of the deaf. In carrying out its functions, the Advisory Committee shall (A) make recommendations to the Secretary for the development of a system for gathering information on a periodic basis in order to facilitate the assessment of progress and identification of problems in the education of the deaf; (B) identify emerging needs respecting the education of the deaf, and suggest innovations which give promise of meeting such needs and of otherwise improving the educational prospects of deaf individuals; (C) suggest promising areas of inquiry to give direction to the research efforts of the Federal Government in improving the education of the deaf; and (D) make such other recommendations for administrative action or legislative proposals as may be appropriate.

The Secretary may, at the request of the Advisory Committee appoint such special advisory professional or technical personnel as may be necessary to enable the Advisory Committee to carry out its duties.

Members of the Advisory Committee, and advisory or technical personnel appointed pursuant to subsection (c), while attending meetings or conferences of the Advisory Committee or otherwise serving on business of the Advisory Committee, shall be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed by the Secretary, but not exceeding $100 per day including travel time and while serving away from their homes or regular places of business they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5 for persons in the Government service employed intermittently.

The Advisory Committee shall meet at the request of the Secretary, but at least semiannually.

(Pub. L. 85–905, § 5, as added Pub. L. 89–258, Oct. 19, 1965, 79 Stat. 984; amended Pub. L. 96–88, title III, § 301, title V, § 507, Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 677, 692.)