1995 US Code
Title 20 - EDUCATION
CHAPTER 71 - NATIONAL EDUCATION STATISTICS
Sec. 9001 - Findings; purpose; definitions

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§9001. Findings; purpose; definitions (a) Findings

The Congress finds that—

(1) a Department of Education was established in 1867 “for the purpose of collecting such statistics and facts as shall show the condition and progress of education in the several States and territories, and of diffusing such information respecting the organization and management of schools and school systems and methods of teaching as shall aid the people of the United States in the establishment and maintenance of efficient school systems, and otherwise promote the cause of education throughout the United States”;

(2) today, while the role of the current Department of Education is much broader, the National Center for Education Statistics within the Office of Educational Research and Improvement continues to perform those crucial original purposes; and

(3) looking to the 21st century, the National Center for Education Statistics must be able to design and undertake, effectively and efficiently, statistical activities that will aid in the reform of the Nation's educational systems.

(b) Purpose

It is the purpose of this chapter to ensure the continuation of an effective mechanism for collecting and reporting statistics and information showing the condition and progress of education in the United States and other nations in order to promote and accelerate the improvement of American education.

(c) Definitions

For the purpose of this chapter and unless otherwise specified—

(1) the term “Assistant Secretary” means the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement established under section 3412(b)(1)(E) 1 of this title;

(2) the term “Department” means the Department of Education;

(3) the term “institution of higher education” has the same meaning given such term in section 1141(a) of this title;

(4) the term “local educational agency” has the same meaning given such term in section 8801 of this title;

(5) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Education;

(6) the term “State educational agency” has the same meaning given such term in section 8801 of this title; and

(7) the terms “State” and “United States”—

(A) other than for the purpose of section 9010 of this title, mean each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and

(B) for the purpose of section 9010 of this title, have the same meaning given such terms in subparagraph (A), except that such terms include Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.

(Pub. L. 103–382, title IV, §402, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 4029.)

References in Text

The reference to section 3412(b)(1)(E) of this title in subsec. (c)(1) probably should be a reference to section 3412(b)(3) of this title. Pub. L. 103–227, title IX, §913, Mar. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 223, amended section 3412 by striking out subsec. (b)(1)(E) which related to an Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement, redesignating subsec. (b)(1)(F) as (b)(1)(E), and adding a subsec. (b)(3) which relates to an Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement.

Short Title

Section 401 of Pub. L. 103–382 provided that: “This title [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘National Education Statistics Act of 1994’.”

1 See References in Text note below.