20 USC 1003 - Additional definitions

U.S Code last checked for updates: Feb 21, 2025

§ 1003.

Additional definitions

In this chapter:

(1)

Authorizing committees

(2)

Combination of institutions of higher education

(3)

Critical foreign language

(4)

Department

(5)

Diploma mill

The term “diploma mill” means an entity that—

(A)

(i)

offers, for a fee, degrees, diplomas, or certificates, that may be used to represent to the general public that the individual possessing such a degree, diploma, or certificate has completed a program of postsecondary education or training; and

(ii)

requires such individual to complete little or no education or coursework to obtain such degree, diploma, or certificate; and

(B)

lacks accreditation by an accrediting agency or association that is recognized as an accrediting agency or association of institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 1002 of this title) by—

(i)

the Secretary pursuant to subpart 2 of part H of subchapter IV; or

(ii)

a Federal agency, State government, or other organization or association that recognizes accrediting agencies or associations.

(6)

Disability

(7)

Distance education

(A)

In general

Except as otherwise provided, the term “distance education” means education that uses one or more of the technologies described in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor; and

(ii)

to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor, synchronously or asynchronously.

(B)

Inclusions

For the purposes of subparagraph (A), the technologies used may include—

(i)

the Internet;

(ii)

one-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices;

(iii)

audio conferencing; or

(iv)

video cassettes, DVDs, and CD–ROMs, if the cassettes, DVDs, or CD–ROMs are used in a course in conjunction with any of the technologies listed in clauses (i) through (iii).

(8)

Early childhood education program

The term “early childhood education program” means—

(A)

a Head Start program or an Early Head Start program carried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), including a migrant or seasonal Head Start program, an Indian Head Start program, or a Head Start program or an Early Head Start program that also receives State funding;

(B)

a State licensed or regulated child care program; or

(C)

a program that—

(i)

serves children from birth through age six that addresses the children’s cognitive (including language, early literacy, and early mathematics), social, emotional, and physical development; and

(ii)

is—

(I)

a State prekindergarten program;

(II)

a program authorized under section 619 [20 U.S.C. 1419] or part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.]; or

(III)

a program operated by a local educational agency.

(9)

Elementary school

(10)

Gifted and talented

(11)

Local educational agency

(12)

New borrower

(13)

Nonprofit

(14)

Poverty line

(15)

School or department of divinity

The term “school or department of divinity” means an institution, or a department or a branch of an institution, the program of instruction of which is designed for the education of students—

(A)

to prepare the students to become ministers of religion or to enter upon some other religious vocation (or to provide continuing training for any such vocation); or

(B)

to prepare the students to teach theological subjects.

(16)

Secondary school

(17)

Secretary

(18)

Service-learning

(19)

Special education teacher

(20)

State educational agency

(21)

State; Freely Associated States

(A)

State

(B)

Freely Associated States

(22)

State higher education agency

(23)

Universal design

(24)

Universal design for learning

The term “universal design for learning” means a scientifically valid framework for guiding educational practice that—

(A)

provides flexibility in the ways information is presented, in the ways students respond or demonstrate knowledge and skills, and in the ways students are engaged; and

(B)

reduces barriers in instruction, provides appropriate accommodations, supports, and challenges, and maintains high achievement expectations for all students, including students with disabilities and students who are limited English proficient.

(Pub. L. 89–329, title I, § 103, as added Pub. L. 105–244, title I, § 101(a), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1589; amended Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1076(g), Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2091; Pub. L. 110–315, title I, § 103(a), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3086; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(oo)(1), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2177.)

cite as: 20 USC 1003