; (6) bringing teams of experts together to develop and implement school improvement plans and strategies, especially in schools implementing comprehensive support and improvement activities, targeted support and improvement activities, and additional targeted support under section 1111(d) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and (7) supporting high-quality teacher and school leader preparation, recruitment, and retention practices, including evidenced-based clinical experiences, and improving the teacher pipeline in critical areas. 208. Focus centers (a) Authorization (1) In general The Secretary may award not more than 3 grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities (as described in section 207(b)(1)) to enable those eligible entities to establish and operate focus centers on topics described in subsection (b). (2) Application Each eligible entity, seeking a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (3) Requirements Focus centers authorized under paragraph (1) shall— (A) address 1 or more topics described in subsection (b); (B) carry out activities that increase evidence use on such topic amongst practitioners, education system leaders, elementary schools and secondary schools, local educational agencies, and State educational agencies; and (C) in a timely manner, develop evidence-based products or tools regarding such topic and widely disseminate such products or tools to practitioners, education system leaders, and policymakers in formats that are high-quality, easily accessible, understandable, and actionable. (b) Topics (1) Engagement The Secretary shall engage with— (A) regional governing boards, in accordance with in section 206(a)(2)(D), to identify challenges facing students and practitioners that are of shared importance and urgency across geographic regions