§ 9501. Definitions
In this subchapter:
(1)
In general
The terms “elementary school”, “secondary school”, “local educational agency”, and “State educational agency” have the meanings given those terms in section
7801 of this title and the terms “freely associated states” and “outlying area” have the meanings given those terms in section
6331
(c) of this title.
(2)
Applied research
The term “applied research” means research—
(3)
Basic research
The term “basic research” means research—
(4)
Board
The term “Board” means the National Board for Education Sciences established under section
9516 of this title.
(6)
Comprehensive center
The term “comprehensive center” means an entity established under section
9602 of this title.
(8)
Development
The term “development” means the systematic use of knowledge or understanding gained from the findings of scientifically valid research and the shaping of that knowledge or understanding into products or processes that can be applied and evaluated and may prove useful in areas such as the preparation of materials and new methods of instruction and practices in teaching, that lead to the improvement of the academic skills of students, and that are replicable in different educational settings.
(10)
Dissemination
The term “dissemination” means the communication and transfer of the results of scientifically valid research, statistics, and evaluations, in forms that are understandable, easily accessible, and usable, or adaptable for use in, the improvement of educational practice by teachers, administrators, librarians, other practitioners, researchers, parents, policymakers, and the public, through technical assistance, publications, electronic transfer, and other means.
(11)
Early childhood educator
The term “early childhood educator” means a person providing, or employed by a provider of, nonresidential child care services (including center-based, family-based, and in-home child care services) that is legally operating under State law, and that complies with applicable State and local requirements for the provision of child care services to children at any age from birth through the age at which a child may start kindergarten in that State.
(12)
Field-initiated research
The term “field-initiated research” means basic research or applied research in which specific questions and methods of study are generated by investigators (including teachers and other practitioners) and that conforms to standards of scientifically valid research.
(13)
Historically Black college or university
The term “historically Black college or university” means a part B institution as defined in section
1061 of this title.
(14)
Institute
The term “Institute” means the Institute of Education Sciences established under section
9511 of this title.
(17)
Provider of early childhood services
The term “provider of early childhood services” means a public or private entity that serves young children, including—
(18)
Scientifically based research standards
(A)
The term “scientifically based research standards” means research standards that—
(B)
The term includes, appropriate to the research being conducted—
(iv)
making claims of causal relationships only in random assignment experiments or other designs (to the extent such designs substantially eliminate plausible competing explanations for the obtained results);
(v)
ensuring that studies and methods are presented in sufficient detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, to offer the opportunity to build systematically on the findings of the research;
(19)
Scientifically valid education evaluation
The term “scientifically valid education evaluation” means an evaluation that—
(A)
adheres to the highest possible standards of quality with respect to research design and statistical analysis;
(B)
provides an adequate description of the programs evaluated and, to the extent possible, examines the relationship between program implementation and program impacts;
(C)
provides an analysis of the results achieved by the program with respect to its projected effects;
(20)
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 scientifically based research standards.
(22)
State
The term “State” includes (except as provided in section
9548 of this title) each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the freely associated states, and the outlying areas.
(23)
Technical assistance
The term “technical assistance” means—