; or (iv) is a center-based or group-based early childhood learning or development program that the Secretary determines shall be included under this definition, after receiving a request from an Indian Tribe. (12) Tribal educational agency The term Tribal educational agency has the meaning given the term (without respect to capitalization) in section 6132(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. (13) Year The term year , when applied to service as a qualifying educator, means a school or program year as defined by the Secretary or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as applicable. (i) Special rule An educator that provides instruction or curricular development in an Alaska Native, American Indian, or Native Hawaiian language or a Native American language as defined in the Native American Languages Act ( 25 U.S.C. 2902 ) shall be considered to be a qualifying educator regardless of whether the educator has achieved full State or Tribal certification and licensure requirements for such employment. . (b) Enhanced teacher loan cancellation under the Direct Loan program Section 460 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087j ) is amended to read as follows: 460. Loan cancellation for educators (a) Purpose It is the purpose of this section to enhance student access to a well-prepared, diverse, and stable educator workforce by eliminating debt burdens for educators in return for service teaching and leading in high-need schools or early childhood education programs. (b) Program authorized Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of the Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act , the Secretary shall carry out a program of canceling, as required under subsection (c), the obligation to repay a covered loan for qualifying educators engaged in qualifying service. A qualifying educator may apply for the program under this section after the Secretary has begun carrying out the program. (c) Cancellation of covered loans (1) Cancellation of loans upon completion of qualifying service (A)