Title 20EducationRelease 119-73

§6692 Rules of construction

Title 20 › Chapter CHAPTER 70— - STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - PREPARING, TRAINING, AND RECRUITING HIGH-QUALITY TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, OR OTHER SCHOOL LEADERS › Part Part C— - General Provisions › § 6692

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Federal officials may not force states, school districts, or schools to follow federal rules about four things: curriculum and tests; how teachers and principals are evaluated; how their effectiveness is defined; or their professional standards, certification, or licensing. Federal rules also do not change school employees’ rights or legal procedures under laws, regulations, court orders, or labor contracts.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §6692

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(a)Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize the Secretary or any other officer or employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or control a State, local educational agency, or school’s—
(1)instructional content or materials, curriculum, program of instruction, academic standards, or academic assessments;
(2)teacher, principal, or other school leader evaluation system;
(3)specific definition of teacher, principal, or other school leader effectiveness; or
(4)teacher, principal, or other school leader professional standards, certification, or licensing.
(b)Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to alter or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded school or school district employees under Federal, State, or local laws (including applicable regulations or court orders) or under the terms of collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between such employees and their employers.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2302 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 6672 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–239. Another prior section 2302 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 6672 of this title, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110. Prior section 6701, 6702, 6711 to 6716, 6721, and 6722 were repealed by Pub. L. 114–95, § 5, title II, § 2002, Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1913, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs. section 6701, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2331, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1660, set forth purposes of subpart 2 of part C of former subchapter II of this chapter. Another prior section 6701, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2401, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3635; amended Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 101(b)(3)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–407, related to reporting and accountability, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110. section 6702, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2332, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1660, related to the National Writing Project. Another prior section 6702, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2402, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3635; amended Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 101(b)(4)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–407, defined terms used in this subchapter, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110. section 6711, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2341, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1662, provided that subpart 3 of part C of former subchapter II of this chapter could be cited as the “Education for Democracy Act”. section 6712, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2342, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1662, set forth purpose of subpart 3 of part C of former subchapter II of this chapter. section 6713, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2343, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1662, related to authority to award grants or enter into contracts. section 6714, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2344, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1663, related to We the People program. section 6715, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2345, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1664, related to cooperative civic education and economic education exchange programs. section 6716, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2346, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1666, authorized appropriations to carry out subpart 3 of part C of former subchapter II of this chapter. section 6721, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2351, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1666, related to establishment of the Teaching American History Grant Program. section 6722, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2352, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1667, authorized appropriations to carry out subpart 4 of part C of former subchapter II of this chapter. A prior section 6731, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2361, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1667, which set out

Short Title

of the Paul D. Coverdell Teacher Protection Act of 2001, was renumbered section 8551 of title VIII of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(3)(A), (B), (D), title VIII, § 8001(a)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 2088, 2089, and transferred to section 7941 of this title. A prior section 6732, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2362, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1667, which related to purpose, was renumbered section 8552 of title VIII of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(3)(A), (B), (D), title VIII, § 8001(a)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 2088, 2089, and transferred to section 7942 of this title. A prior section 6733, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2363, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1667, which related to definitions, was renumbered section 8553 of title VIII of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(3)(A), (B), (D), title VIII, § 8001(a)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 2088, 2089, and transferred to section 7943 of this title. A prior section 6734, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2364, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1668, which related to applicability, was renumbered section 8554 of title VIII of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(3)(A), (B), (D), title VIII, § 8001(a)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 2088, 2089, and transferred to section 7944 of this title. A prior section 6735, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2365, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1668, which related to preemption and election of State nonapplicability, was renumbered section 8555 of title VIII of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(3)(A), (B), (D), title VIII, § 8001(a)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 2088, 2089, and transferred to section 7945 of this title. A prior section 6736, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2366, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1668, which related to limitation on liability for teachers, was renumbered section 8556 of title VIII of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(3)(A), (B), (D), title VIII, § 8001(a)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 2088, 2089, and transferred to section 7946 of this title. A prior section 6737, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2367, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1670, which related to allocation of responsibility for noneconomic loss, was renumbered section 8557 of title VIII of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(3)(A), (B), (D), title VIII, § 8001(a)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 2088, 2089, and transferred to section 7947 of this title. A prior section 6738, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2368, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1670, which set out

Effective Date

, was renumbered section 8558 of title VIII of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(3)(A), (B), (D), title VIII, § 8001(a)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 2088, 2089, and transferred to section 7948 of this title. Prior sections 6751 to 6754, 6761 to 6766, 6771, 6672, and 6775 were repealed by Pub. L. 114–95, § 5, title II, § 2002, Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1806, 1913, effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs. section 6751, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2401, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1671, provided that part D of former subchapter II of this chapter could be cited as the “Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001”. A prior section 2401 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 6701 of this title, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110. section 6752, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2402, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1671, set forth purposes and goals of part D of former subchapter II of this chapter. A prior section 2402 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 6702 of this title, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110. section 6753, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2403, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1672, defined terms. section 6754, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2404, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1673, authorized appropriations. section 6761, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2411, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1673, related to allotment and reallotment of funds. section 6762, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2412, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1674, related to use of allotment by State. section 6763, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2413, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1675, related to State applications. section 6764, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2414, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1677, related to local applications. section 6765, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2415, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1679, related to State activities. section 6766, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2416, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1680, related to local activities. section 6771, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2421, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1682, related to national activities. section 6772, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2422, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1682, related to national education technology plan. section 6775, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2431, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1683, related to Ready-to-Learn Television program. A prior section 6777, Pub. L. 89–10, title II, § 2441, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1686, which related to Internet safety, was renumbered section 4121 of title IV of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(4)(A), (B), (D), title IV, § 4001(a)(5)(D), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 1966, and transferred to section 7131 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as an

Effective Date

of 2015 Amendment note under section 6301 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 6692

Title 20Education

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73