; (2) continuously improve aspects of statistical operations, testing, and implementation of new methods to enhance the usability and cost-effectiveness of data collections, processing, and dissemination carried out by the Statistics Center; and (3) improve the efficiency, timeliness, relevance, usage, and impact of the education information, statistics, and products issued by the Statistics Center. (c) Report on alternative poverty measures Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Advancing Research in Education Act , and every 3 fiscal years thereafter, the Director, in consultation with the Statistics Commissioner and the Director of the Census Bureau, shall submit, to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, a report describing— (1) activities carried out by the Statistics Center as required under subsection (a)(10) and section 144(d) to support the development of a valid and accurate alternative student poverty measurement, including for students who reside in rural communities; (2) an assessment of State efforts to improve the identification of students from low-income backgrounds, and Federal, State, and local recommendations to support effective approaches; and (3) the number of staff and amount of funding allocated by the Institute to support the development of alternative poverty measurements. . 144. Performance of duties Section 144 ( 20 U.S.C. 9544 ), as redesignated by section 102, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking Agreements .—In carrying out and inserting the following: Agreements — (1) In general In carrying out