§1021. Purposes; definitions

(a) Purposes

The purposes of this subchapter are to-

(1) improve student achievement;

(2) improve the quality of the current and future teaching force by improving the preparation of prospective teachers and enhancing professional development activities;

(3) hold institutions of higher education accountable for preparing teachers who have the necessary teaching skills and are highly competent in the academic content areas in which the teachers plan to teach, such as mathematics, science, English, foreign languages, history, economics, art, civics, Government, and geography, including training in the effective uses of technology in the classroom; and

(4) recruit highly qualified individuals, including individuals from other occupations, into the teaching force.

(b) Definitions

In this subchapter:

(1) Arts and sciences

The term "arts and sciences" means-

(A) when referring to an organizational unit of an institution of higher education, any academic unit that offers 1 or more academic majors in disciplines or content areas corresponding to the academic subject matter areas in which teachers provide instruction; and

(B) when referring to a specific academic subject matter area, the disciplines or content areas in which academic majors are offered by the arts and science organizational unit.

(2) High need local educational agency

The term "high need local educational agency" means a local educational agency that serves an elementary school or secondary school located in an area in which there is-

(A) a high percentage of individuals from families with incomes below the poverty line;

(B) a high percentage of secondary school teachers not teaching in the content area in which the teachers were trained to teach; or

(C) a high teacher turnover rate.

(3) Poverty line

The term "poverty line" means the poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance with section 9902(2) of title 42) applicable to a family of the size involved.

(Pub. L. 89–329, title II, §201, as added Pub. L. 105–244, title II, §201, Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1623 .)

Prior Provisions

A prior section 1021, Pub. L. 89–329, title II, §201, as added Pub. L. 96–374, title II, §201, Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1383 ; amended Pub. L. 99–498, title II, §201(b), (c), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1287 ; Pub. L. 100–418, title VI, §6241, Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1520 ; Pub. L. 102–325, title II, §201, July 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 467 , related to congressional statement of purpose and authorization of appropriations, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(e) [title VII, §708(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–233 , 3009-312.

Another prior section 1021, Pub. L. 89–329, title II, §201, as added Pub. L. 92–318, title I, §111(b)(1), June 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 238 ; amended Pub. L. 94–482, title I, §106, Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2089 ; Pub. L. 96–49, §3(a), Aug. 13, 1979, 93 Stat. 351 , provided for college library programs, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 96–374.

Another prior section 1021, Pub. L. 89–329, title II, §201, Nov. 8, 1965, 79 Stat. 1224 ; Pub. L. 90–575, title II, §211, Oct. 16, 1968, 82 Stat. 1036 ; Pub. L. 92–318, title I, §111(a)(1), June 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 238 , authorized appropriations of $50,000,000 for each fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, 1967, and 1968, and $25,000,000; $75,000,000; $90,000,000; and $18,000,000 for fiscal years ending June 30, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972, for library resources grants, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 92–318, title I, §111(b)(1), June 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 238 .

Effective Date

Subchapter effective Oct. 1, 1998, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 105–244, see section 3 of Pub. L. 105–244, set out as an Effective Date of 1998 Amendment note under section 1001 of this title.