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U.S. Department of Education

The federal department that administers federal education funding, enforces civil rights laws in education and collects data; most education decisions are made by states and districts.

Also called
ED
Used in
United States
Topic
Organisations

Being checked against official sources. This definition is written in our own words; always check the official guidance for your country.

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ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) United States
The main federal law for K-12 education, passed in 2015 to replace No Child Left Behind, requiring annual testing in some grades and state-designed accountability systems.
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) United States
The federal law that guarantees eligible children with disabilities a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, with an IEP. Part C covers infants and toddlers; Part B covers ages 3 to 21.
NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) United States
The federal agency that collects and analyses US education data, including the Digest of Education Statistics and NAEP.
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) United States
The federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents (and students at 18) rights to see and correct them.

More terms: Organisations

NEA (union) · Office for Civil Rights · State department of education · What Works Clearinghouse · WIDA

More terms starting with U · Education glossary A–Z · Get a TIP for your class

Definitions are written by Classfern in our own words for teachers in the UK and the US. They are short explanations, not legal or official definitions: always check the official guidance for your country, nation or state. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government department, inspectorate or exam board named here.