State certification and licensure requirements, including any requirements for certification obtained through alternative routes to certification, in the State in which such school is located and in the subject area in which the individual is the teacher of record. (9) Qualifying early childhood education program (A) In general The term qualifying early childhood education program means an early childhood education program, as defined in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1003 ), that, regardless of setting— (i) serves children who receive services for which financial assistance is provided in accordance with the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), or the child and adult care food program established under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1766 ), and (ii) participates in a State tiered and transparent system for measuring program quality. (B) Special rule Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), an early childhood program that does not satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be deemed to be a qualifying early childhood education program until September 30, 2021, if the program— (i) satisfies all requirements of subparagraph (A) except for clause (ii) of such subparagraph, and (ii) (I) meets the Head Start program performance standards described in section 641A(a) of the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 983a(a) ), if applicable, or (II) is accredited by a national accreditor of early learning programs as of the date of enactment of the Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act . (10) Qualifying school The term qualifying school means— (A) a public elementary school or secondary school that— (i) is in the school district of a local educational agency that is eligible for assistance under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), or (ii) is served or operated by an educational service agency that