1799

1799.1

When used in this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed:

Accreditation -- The decision rendered by a national or regional accrediting body for an educator preparation provider affirming that an educator preparation provider meets the body’s standards and requirements.

Alternate Route Organization or Institution -- A type of educator preparation provider in which candidates must possess a baccalaureate degree earned or equivalent to a baccalaureate degree earned in the United States and serve as the teacher of record in a classroom, a school service provider, a school administrator, or participate in a year-long educator preparation residency in a school or local educational agency. An alternate route organization or institution may be based in an Institution of Higher Education or operate independently from an Institution of Higher Education.

Candidate -- An individual enrolled in an educator preparation program who is preparing for or serving in a position as a teacher of record in a school that may serve students from pre-school through adult education.

Educator -- a teacher, school service provider, or school administrator in a District of Columbia school or local educational agency

Educator Preparation Provider -- An institution or organization that offers and directs the training and experiences that may lead to a candidate’s eligibility to apply for an educator credential.

External Accreditor -- A national or regional accreditor whose standards have been approved by the State Board of Education of the District of Columbia.

Graduate -- An individual who has met all the requirements of a state-approved educator preparation program and earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from that program.

Institution of Higher Education -- A college, university, or other postsecondary educational institution authorized to confer degrees or certificates and approved by the Higher Education Licensure Commission to operate in the District of Columbia, in accordance with D.C. § 38-1301 et seq.) and its implementing regulations.

Literacy Instruction -- The teaching and assessment of the ability to talk, listen, read and write, leading to the ability to communicate and learn. Literacy is a combination of skills in vocabulary, receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, knowledge of print, comprehension and printed materials.

Local Educational Agency (LEA) -- A publicly funded educational institution having administrative control and direction of a public elementary or secondary school in the District of Columbia. As used in this chapter, the term includes the District of Columbia Public Schools and District of Columbia public charter schools.

Performance -- An LEA's determination of a teacher as either effective or in effective.

Program Completer -- An individual who has met all the program requirements of a state-approved educator preparation provider.

Specialized Professional Association -- A national organization that defines content area standards for a specific subject area program and upon application by a subject area program issues periodic recognition to programs that meet such content standards.

Standard -- The level of programmatic quality and organizational performance to which educator preparation providers and subject area programs are held.

State Superintendent -- The head of OSSE appointed by the Mayor pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 38-2601.

Subject Area Program -- A program that provides a sequence of required courses and experiences for the preparation of candidates to become educators in a specific area, subject, or category and that operates: (i) within an educator preparation provider; or (ii) within an IHE but not under the auspices of an educator preparation provider.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 007389 (June 24, 2022).