Title 20, EducationRelease 119-110

§9802 Definitions

Title 20 › CHAPTER 78 — SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, AND CRITICAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION › § 9802

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Sets meanings for words used in this chapter. If a different meaning is not given here, use the meanings in section 7801. Critical foreign language: a language the Secretary, after consulting appropriate federal leaders, says is vital to national security and economic competitiveness. Institution of higher education: see section 1001(a). Secretary: the Secretary of Education. Scientifically valid research: applied, basic, or field‑initiated studies with sound rationale, design, and interpretation.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §9802

Education, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)ESEA definitions
Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, the terms used in this chapter have the meanings given the terms in section 7801 of this title.
(b)Other definitions
In this chapter:
(1)Critical foreign language
The term “critical foreign language” means a foreign language that the Secretary determines, in consultation with the heads of such Federal departments and agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate, is critical to the national security and economic competitiveness of the United States.
(2)Institution of higher education
The term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given the term in section 1001(a) of this title.
(3)Secretary
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Education.
(4)Scientifically valid research
The term “scientifically valid research” includes applied research, basic research, and field-initiated research in which the rationale, design, and interpretation are soundly developed in accordance with accepted principles of scientific research.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6001 of Pub. L. 110–69 was classified to section 9801 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 111–358.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–95 made amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 7801 of this title. Amendment was executed to this section, which is section 6001 of Pub. L. 110–69, notwithstanding directory language directing amendment of section 6002(a) of Pub. L. 110–69, to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the renumbering of section 6002 of Pub. L. 110–69 as this section. Pub. L. 110–69 does not contain a section 6002.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2015 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 114–95 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 a note under section 6301 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 9802

Title 20, Education

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110