; and (B) adjusted for family size. (21) Professional development The term professional development means the career-pathway aligned mechanisms that contribute to ensuring that a member of the early care and education workforce, in any setting, has or is working towards obtaining the degrees and other credentials needed to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and competencies for quality provision of child care and early learning services. (22) Scientifically valid research The term scientifically valid research includes applied research, basic research, and field-initiated research, in which the rationale, design, and interpretation are soundly developed in accordance with principles of scientific research. (23) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (24) Stakeholder The term stakeholder means a community-based employer of child care providers, a labor organization representing child care providers, a joint labor-management partnership advocating for child care standards, an entity operating a trust fund that provides training and education for child care providers, or a nonprofit organization that represents parents of children eligible for services in a program carried out under this title. (25) State The term State means— (A) a State, as defined in section 637 of the Head Start Act; and (B) the Republic of Palau— (i) for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028