Except where the context makes another meaning manifest, the following words shall have the meanings indicated when used in this chapter:

1. (a) “Instructional specialist” means a person who provides specialized instructional support to teachers and others who provide direct instruction to children at the pre-K, elementary, or secondary level, including reading and writing specialist, digital learning specialist, and elementary mathematics specialist for grades K-6;
2. (b) “In process of licensure authorization (IPLA)” means the authorization issued by the bureau to a school district or SAU to employ a non-credentialed educator who is in the process of licensure to fill a vacancy as specified in Ed 504.05;
3. (c) “Intern authorization” means the authorization granted to an applicant pursuant to Ed 504.03 to perform educational services while working under a bureau approved development plan as outlined in Ed 505.06;
4. (d) “Investigation” means that the department has credible evidence to support and is conducting an official inquiry to determine whether a violation of the educator code of conduct has occurred;
5. (e) “License” means the document issued when an applicant meets full licensure requirements;
6. (f) “Licensure” means the official recognition by the board that an individual has met all requirements and is approved to practice in an endorsement area(s);
7. (g) “Nonrenewal” means the department has prohibited an educator whose credential has expired from renewing any credentials or applying for any new credentials, to satisfy or complete a disciplinary action;
8. (h) “Paraeducator” means a person who works under the supervision of a teacher or other appropriate licensed education professional to provide specialized or concentrated non-initial instructional support to students at the pre-, elementary, or secondary level and may be licensed by the board;
9. (i) “Principal” means the individual who serves as the administrative and instructional leader of a school;
10. (j) “Reprimand” means a note related to conduct in the file of a credential holder, which does not rise to the level of a suspension or revocation of a credential, which can be used in the event of a subsequent investigation;
11. (k) “Revocation” means the department has permanently rescinded a credential from a credential holder or clearance holder;
12. (l) “School nurse” means a licensed nurse holding a board-issued credential to provide health services in accordance with RSA 200:29;
13. (m) “Senior educational official” means the top executive in an educational organization who makes the key decisions on spending, staffing, and other education policies;
14. (n) “Special education administrator” means the individual who is responsible for oversight of the entire special education staff and program at the district or SAU level;
15. (o) “State” means any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. The term also includes the US. Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA);
16. (p) “Statement of eligibility (SOE)” means a credential issued by the department that indicates that an individual has successfully met the entry requirements to seek employment and begin the site-based licensing plan described in Ed 505.06;
17. (q) “Superintendent” means the individual serving in the role of executive officer of the local school district(s) within the SAU and providing superintendent services as outlined in RSA 194-C:4 and Ed 302;
18. (r) “Surrender” means when a credential holder offers to voluntarily give up the possession of a credential;
19. (s) “Suspension” means the department has rescinded a credential from a credential holder for a specified period of time;
20. (t) “Student” means an individual who is enrolled or participating in any class or program from preschool through grade 12, or any “adult student” as specified in Ed 1102.01(f), at any school or education institution except as otherwise noted in these rules; and
21. (u) “Teacher” means a person who plans, provides, and assesses direct instruction to children at the pre-K, elementary, or secondary level in a content area specified in Ed 507. “Teacher” does not include paraeducator.

Source. (See Revision Note at chapter heading for Ed 500) #13999, eff 6-14-24 (formerly Ed 501.02(z)-(ap))