§12511 Definitions

Summary

Defines the key words used in this part of the national service laws. It gives short meanings for many terms so people know how they are used. Adult volunteer — a person older than the State’s school-attendance age who works unpaid in a school to help students or out-of-school youth. Alaska Native-serving institution — means what Title 20, section 1059d(b) defines. Approved national service/silver scholar/summer of service positions — approved service positions that provide specific educational awards. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution — means what Title 20, section 1059g(b) defines. Authorizing committees — the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Carry out — to plan, set up, run, expand, or copy a national service program. Chief Executive Officer — the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, unless referring to a State CEO. Community-based agency — a private nonprofit (including religious groups) that represents a community and works to meet human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs. Community-based entity — a public or private nonprofit with experience meeting unmet community needs and other criteria the CEO sets. Corporation — the Corporation for National and Community Service. Disadvantaged youth — economically disadvantaged young people who also fit one or more of these: out-of-school (including unemployed), in or aging out of foster care, limited English, homeless or runaway, at risk of leaving school without a diploma, former juvenile offenders or at risk of delinquency, or individuals with disabilities. Economically disadvantaged — someone the CEO finds to be low-income using the latest Department of Commerce data. Elementary school, secondary school, local educational agency, State educational agency, institution of higher education, Hispanic-serving institution, Native American-serving nontribal institution, Native Hawaiian-serving institution, Predominantly Black Institution, tribally controlled college or university, and historically black college or university — each has the meaning given in the cited federal education laws. Encore service program — a program with many participants age 55 or older that uses their skills and experience. Indian — a member of an Indian tribe or a “Native” as defined in Title 43. Indian lands — real property owned by a tribe, held in trust by the United States for an Indian or tribe, or held by an Indian or tribe with U.S. restrictions on sale. Indian tribe — a federally recognized tribe, village, Regional or Village Corporation, or a tribal organization controlled or chartered by such an entity. Individual with a disability — has the meaning in Title 29, section 705(20)(B), except as noted elsewhere. Medically underserved population — has the meaning given in section 254b(b)(3). National service laws — this chapter and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.). Out-of-school youth — someone under age 27 who has not finished college and is not enrolled in elementary, secondary, or higher education. Participant — for division C, someone in an approved national service position; for other parts of the chapter, someone enrolled in a program that gets assistance here; a participant is not an employee of the host organization. Partnership program — a program where an adult volunteer, nonprofit, college, or business helps a local educational agency. Principles of scientific research — use of rigorous, systematic, and objective methods; clear, supported claims; reliable measures and data analysis; strong causal claims only when the design rules out other explanations; clear reporting so others can replicate; peer review or expert critique; and consistent findings across studies. Program — refers to the specific programs and activities listed in the cited sections of this title. Project — a funded activity that produces a specific service or improvement that would not happen with existing funds and does not duplicate an employer’s normal work. Qualified organization — a public or private nonprofit with experience working with school-age youth and meeting CEO criteria. School-age youth — children ages 5 through 17 and children with disabilities who receive services under IDEA Part B. Scientifically valid research — applied, basic, or field research with sound rationale, design, and interpretation under the principles of scientific research. Service-learning — organized community service tied to schools or community programs that teaches students, supports civic responsibility, links to curriculum, and includes time for reflection. Service-learning coordinator — a person who provides the service-learning coordination described in the law. Service sponsor — an organization chosen to host a participant. State — the 50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. State Commission — a State Commission on National and Community Service or an approved alternative administrative entity. Student — someone enrolled full- or part-time in elementary, secondary, or higher education. Territory — the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Veteran — has the meaning given in Title 38, section 101.