; (D) the program philosophy and curriculum; (E) the quality and quantity of equipment and materials; (F) the quality of the physical environment; and (G) safety and health provisions and other applicable Federal or State requirements with respect to State early learning programs. (9) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (10) State The term State has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 ). (11) State early learning program The term State early learning program has the meaning given the term early childhood education program in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1003 ). 11. Research and evaluation; benchmarks and consultation (a) Research and evaluation (1) In general The Secretary shall transfer amounts reserved for research and evaluation under section 3(c)(1)(B) to the Institute of Education Sciences, to be used— (A) for the evaluation of grants or other assistance funded under such section; (B) to support research on policies and practices related to such grants; and (C) to disseminate the results of such research and evaluation. (2) Collaboration The evaluation and research described in paragraph (1) shall be carried out in collaboration with— (A) the appropriate evaluation divisions within the Department of Education; (B) the office within the Department of Education administering the grants that are the subject of the evaluation and research