§7112 — Title 20 Education | U.S. Code

§7112 Definitions

Title 20 › Chapter 70— STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS › Subchapter IV— 21ST CENTURY SCHOOLS › Part A— Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants › Subpart 1— student support and academic enrichment grants › § 7112

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key terms used in this part of the law. Blended learning means a formal program that mixes online or digital lessons with in-person teaching, includes supervised and student-led work, and gives students some control over time, path, or pace. Controlled substance means any drug listed in Schedules I–V in section 812(c) of title 21. Digital learning means using technology to boost learning and covers things like interactive tools and digital content (including openly licensed materials), online databases and primary sources, using data to personalize instruction, online tests, collaborative online environments, supervised hybrid/blended models with some student control, and online courses for rural or remote students. Drug means controlled substances, illegal use of alcohol or tobacco (including smokeless tobacco and e‑cigarettes), and harmful or addictive use of other substances like inhalants and anabolic steroids. Drug and violence prevention covers drug prevention, early intervention, treatment referrals, recovery supports, and education (including evidence-based awareness when a State and local agencies decide such evidence is reasonably available), and efforts to keep schools safe and free from violence, harassment, victimization, and weapons. School-based mental health services provider includes state-licensed or -certified school counselors, psychologists, social workers, or other mental health professionals qualified under State law to serve children and adolescents. State means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. STEM-focused specialty school means a school or program focused on rigorous, integrated learning in science, technology, engineering, and math (including computer science) that includes schoolwide, real research.

Title 20, §7112

Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In this subpart:

(1)The term “blended learning” means a formal education program that leverages both technology-based and face-to-face instructional approaches—

(A)that include an element of online or digital learning, combined with supervised learning time, and student-led learning, in which the elements are connected to provide an integrated learning experience; and

(B)in which students are provided some control over time, path, or pace.

(2)The term “controlled substance” means a drug or other substance identified under Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V in section 812(c) of title 21.

(3)The term “digital learning” means any instructional practice that effectively uses technology to strengthen a student’s learning experience and encompasses a wide spectrum of tools and practices, including—

(A)interactive learning resources, digital learning content (which may include openly licensed content), software, or simulations, that engage students in academic content;

(B)access to online databases and other primary source documents;

(C)the use of data and information to personalize learning and provide targeted supplementary instruction;

(D)online and computer-based assessments;

(E)learning environments that allow for rich collaboration and communication, which may include student collaboration with content experts and peers;

(F)hybrid or blended learning, which occurs under direct instructor supervision at a school or other location away from home and, at least in part, through online delivery of instruction with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace; and

(G)access to online course opportunities for students in rural or remote areas.

(4)The term “drug” includes—

(A)controlled substances;

(B)the illegal use of alcohol or tobacco, including smokeless tobacco products and electronic cigarettes; and

(C)the harmful, abusive, or addictive use of substances, including inhalants and anabolic steroids.

(5)The term “drug and violence prevention” means—

(A)with respect to drugs, prevention, early intervention, rehabilitation referral, recovery support services, or education related to the illegal use of drugs, such as raising awareness about the consequences of drug use that are evidence-based (to the extent a State, in consultation with local educational agencies in the State, determines that such evidence is reasonably available); and

(B)with respect to violence, the promotion of school safety, such that students and school personnel are free from violent and disruptive acts, including sexual harassment and abuse, and victimization associated with prejudice and intolerance, on school premises, going to and from school, and at school-sponsored activities, through the creation and maintenance of a school environment that is free of weapons and fosters individual responsibility and respect for the rights of others.

(6)The term “school-based mental health services provider” includes a State-licensed or State-certified school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker, or other State licensed or certified mental health professional qualified under State law to provide mental health services to children and adolescents.

(7)The term “State” means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(8)The term “STEM-focused specialty school” means a school, or dedicated program within a school, that engages students in rigorous, relevant, and integrated learning experiences focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science, which include authentic schoolwide research.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 7112, Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4112, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title IV, § 401, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1736, related to reservation of State funds for safe and drug-free schools, prior to the general amendment of this subpart by Pub. L. 114–95. Another prior section 7112, Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4112, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, § 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3675, related to State applications, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 107–110. A prior section 4102 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 3062 of this title, prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 103–382.

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.

§7112 Definitions

Summary

Title 20, §7112

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Effective Date

Citations & Metadata