Colorado Revised Statutes Title 23. Postsecondary Education § 23-78-103. Definitions

(1) “Alternative teacher program” has the same meaning as provided in section 22-60.5-102.

(2) “Approved educator preparation program” means an educator preparation program for teachers that the department of education has reviewed pursuant to section 22-60.5-121 and determined meets the minimum standards set forth in section 22-60.5-121(2) and (3) and the requirements of section 23-1-108.

(3) “Clinical practice” means practical, field-based experience that a teacher candidate gains through working in a classroom under the direct supervision of a mentor teacher.

(4) “Commission” means the Colorado commission on higher education established in section 23-1-102.

(5) “Educator preparation program” or “program” means an alternative teacher program or an approved educator preparation program.

(6) “Institution of higher education” or “institution” means a public, private, or proprietary postsecondary institution authorized by the commission on higher education to offer educator preparation programs.

(7) “Local education provider” means a school district organized pursuant to article 30 of title 22; a board of cooperative services, created pursuant to article 5 of title 22, that operates a public school; or a charter school that is authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of title 22 or by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of title 22.

(8) “Master certificate” means the certificate issued by the department of education pursuant to section 22-60.5-202 and the implementing rules of the state board of education, which recognizes professional teacher licensees who are involved in ongoing professional development and training and who have advanced competencies or expertise or who have demonstrated outstanding achievements.

(9) “National-board certified” means that a teacher holds a certification from the national board for professional teaching standards.

(9.5) “Novice teacher” means a teacher who has fewer than three years of teaching experience.

(10) “State board” means the state board of education created in section 1 of article IX of the state constitution.

(11) “Teacher candidate” means a person who is enrolled in an educator preparation program for teaching.