---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 7231a"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "7231a"
heading: "Definition"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/7231a"
units:
  - "Chapter 70 — Strengthening and Improvement of Elementary and Secondary Schools"
  - "Subchapter IV — 21st Century Schools"
  - "Part D — Magnet Schools Assistance"
---

# §7231a. Definition


For the purpose of this part, the term “magnet school” means a public [elementary school](/usc/20/7801.md?p=19), public [secondary school](/usc/20/7801.md?p=45), public elementary education center, or public secondary education center that offers a special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of students of different racial backgrounds.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4402, formerly title V, § 5302, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1807; renumbered title IV, § 4402, Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4001(b)(3)(A), (B), (D)(i), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1967.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 4402 of Pub. L. 89–10 was classified to section 3122 of this title, prior to the general amendment of Pub. L. 89–10 by Pub. L. 103–382.