### Question
How does the law define local educational agency?


### Answer
Under *20 U.S.C. § 1401*, **local educational agency** is defined as:

> a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State, or such combination of school districts or counties as are recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public elementary or secondary schools

#### Citation:
  - *20 U.S.C. § 1401*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 33-EDUCATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES > SUBCHAPTER I-GENERAL PROVISIONS**

