The law › Title 20, Education › Chapter 28

20 U.S.C. 1021: Definitions

Created in 2008 by Public Law 89-329. Changed by 2 later laws. 2 bills in this Congress would change it.

7 other sections of the Code cite this one, including 15 U.S.C. 278g–2a, 20 U.S.C. 1067g, 20 U.S.C. 1161b, 20 U.S.C. 1161f, 20 U.S.C. 1454.

1 part of federal rules cite it as their authority, written by Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of Education (1).

How it got hereLaws that created or changed it, newest first

2015Every Student Succeeds Act

2009Pub. L. 111-39

2008Pub. L. 89-329added it

20 U.S.C. 1021Definitions

(11)rewritten

(A)when referring to an organizational unit of an institution of higher education,…

(B)when referring to a specific academic subject area, the disciplines or content…

(C)who has demonstrated a high level of knowledge and use of content and pedagogy…

(D)Opportunities for new teachers to draw directly on the expertise of teacher…

(E)The development of skills in instructional and behavioral interventions derived…

(F)Faculty who—

(G)Interdisciplinary collaboration among exemplary teachers, faculty, researchers,…

(H)Assistance with the understanding of data, particularly student achievement…

(I)Regular and structured observation and evaluation of new teachers by multiple…

(ii)that serves not fewer than 10,000 children from low-income families;

(iii)that meets the eligibility requirements for funding under the Small, Rural…

(iv)that meets the eligibility requirements for funding under the Rural and…

This CongressBills that change it or would

H.R. 9877Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026introduced

H.R. 10421Transforming Education for the Future Actintroduced

past change
enacted this Congress
proposed

This Congress

H.R. 9877 Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026 · introduced · would change (11)
H.R. 10421 Transforming Education for the Future Act · introduced · would change (11)

How it got here

2015

Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(A), substituted "The term 'core academic subjects' means English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography" for "The term 'core academic subjects' has the meaning given th… (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (3)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(B), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7801 of this title. (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (5)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(C), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7221i of this title. (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (6)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(D), added par. (7) and struck out former par. (7). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The term 'essential components of reading instruction' has the meaning given the term in section 6368 of this title." (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (7)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(E), added par. (8) and struck out former par. (8). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The term 'exemplary teacher' has the meaning given the term in section 7801 of this title." (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (8)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(F)(i), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7345(b) of this title. (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (10)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(F)(ii), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7351(b) of this title. (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (10)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9214(c)(1)(A), struck out par. (13). Text read as follows: "The term 'highly qualified' has the meaning given such term in section 7801 of this title and, with respect to special education teachers, in section 1401 of this title." (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (13)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(G), substituted "The term 'limited English proficient' has the meaning given the term 'English learner' in section 7801 of this title." for "The term 'limited English proficient' has the meaning given the term in section 7801 of this title." (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (15)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(H), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7801 of this title. (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (16)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9214(c)(1)(B), substituted "who meets the applicable State certification and licensure requirements, including any requirements for certification obtained through alternative routes to certification, or, with regard to special education teachers, the qualification… (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (17)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9215(oo)(2)(I), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7801 of this title. (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (19)
Pub. L. 114–95, §9214(c)(1)(C), substituted ", with respect to special education teachers, meets the qualifications described in section 1412(a)(14)(C) of this title" for "becomes highly qualified". (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law text · (22)

2009

Pub. L. 111–39 added subpar. (D) and struck out former subpar (D) which read as follows: "prior to completion of the program, earns a master's degree, attains full State teacher certification or licensure, and becomes highly qualified." Law text · (22)

Text, outline and history from the official U.S. Code (2024 edition) on GovInfo, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel. Changes made after that edition appear under This Congress.