The following definitions apply to this chapter.

(1) "Acceptable evidence" means current official transcripts, portfolio, and such other data as may be deemed necessary by the Board of Public Education or the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

(2) "Accredited" refers to program approval (accreditation) by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or accreditation by a state board of education or a state agency. In circumstances where the accrediting body is a state board of education or a state agency, the Montana Board of Public Education has the discretion to determine whether such accreditation ensures that the standards are substantially equivalent or greater than the standards required in Montana.

(3) "Accredited professional educator preparation program" means:

(a) an educator preparation program accredited by NCATE; or

(b) an educator preparation program approved (accredited) by a state board of education or a state agency. In circumstances where the accrediting body is a state board of education or a state agency, the Montana Board of Public Education has the discretion to determine whether such accreditation ensures that the standards are substantially equivalent or greater than the standards required in Montana.

(4) "Accredited specialist program" means:

(a) a program for the preparation of specialists accredited by a national professional accrediting body; or

(b) a program for the preparation of specialists approved by a state board of public education or a state agency. In circumstances where the accrediting body is a state board of education or a state agency, the Montana Board of Public Education has the discretion to determine whether such accreditation ensures that the standards are substantially equivalent or greater than the standards required in Montana.

(5) "Appropriate endorsements" are those subject fields such as English, mathematics, science, social studies, etc. identified by the Board of Public Education.

(6) "Appropriate grade level(s)" means elementary, secondary or other levels as defined by the Board of Public Education.

(7) "Appropriate official" means the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the dean of the school of education or another official designated by them.

(8) "Certification" means licensure of an educator/specialist, as issued by the state of Montana, based on completion of a teacher, administrator or specialist program of an accredited college/university. Certification includes grade level(s), endorsement(s) and classification.

(9) "College credit" means credit received for completion of a course from a regionally accredited college. College credits are counted as one quarter credit being equal to 10 clock hours, or one semester credit being equal to 15 clock hours. One semester credit is equivalent to one and one-half quarter credits and one quarter credit is equivalent to two-thirds semester credit.

(10) "Dual credit-only postsecondary faculty" means:

(a) Qualified faculty employed by a regionally accredited postsecondary institution who:

(i) meet all qualifications for faculty set forth by the Montana Board of Regents or the regional accreditation organization, and the employing institution; and

(ii) have entered into a contractual employment relationship with the employing institution to assume formal teaching responsibilities for the course offered for dual credit.

(b) The regionally accredited postsecondary institution shall have hired the applicant through a process that includes all of the following:

(i) reference checks;

(ii) verification of the educational attainment level and experience appropriate and required for the discipline and the institution; and

(iii) compliance with the prevailing institution, system, and state policies, regulations, and laws.

(c) In addition to any postsecondary teaching assignments, an individual licensed as a dual credit-only postsecondary faculty pursuant to ARM 10.57.437 is limited to teaching dual credit courses in their endorsed area to Montana high school students.

(11) "Elementary endorsement" means the holder is authorized to teach in grades kindergarten through eight.

(12) "Endorsement" means an official indication on a license of the subject area(s) and/or specialized program area(s) for which the holder of the license is authorized to practice in Montana accredited schools.

(13) "Lapsed license" means that a license is considered lapsed if:

(a) the holder has not earned the required number of renewal units during the term of the license (units earned through August 31 immediately following the expiration date of a license also shall be considered for renewal); or

(b) the holder has earned the required number of renewal units during the term of the license but has not renewed the license by June 30 following the year of expiration.

(14) "License" or "licensure" means a certificate issued or applied for under 20-4-101, et seq., MCA.

(15) "Minimal educator licensure requirements" means:

(a) a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education;

(b) six semester credits in any coursework under a department of education from an accredited education preparation program either in Montana or elsewhere; and

(c) verification of student teaching or one year of teaching experience in an elementary and/or secondary school or school district either in Montana or elsewhere or eligibility for a Class 5 alternative license to complete this requirement.

(16) "Regional accrediting agency" means one of the following accrediting associations:

(a) Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges;

(b) New England Association of Schools and Colleges;

(c) North Central Association of Schools and Colleges;

(d) Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities;

(e) Southern Association of Schools and Colleges; and

(f) Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

(17) "Regionally accredited institution" means an institution of higher education accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies specified in (16).

(18) "Secondary level endorsement" means the holder is authorized to teach in grades 5-12 specifically in the subject field endorsement. Those applicants who have completed a secondary level teacher preparation program shall be granted a 5-12 level license.

(19) "Supervised teaching experience" means teaching experience while under the supervision of an accredited professional educator preparation program and is identified on a university transcript as field experience, internship, practicum, or student teaching.

(20) "Year of administrative experience" means employment in an accredited school during a school fiscal year as a licensed member of a supervisory or administrative staff. The experience required must be obtained in a school organization consistent with Montana's K-12 pattern. Experience gained prior to basic eligibility for initial licensure is not considered. Any individual wishing to have their experience as a County Superintendent considered as "administrative" experience must provide evidence of the following:

(a) possession of a Class 3 administrative license for the time as County Superintendent they are requesting to be considered for administrative experience; and

(b) the school(s) they are claiming to hold or have held supervisory responsibilities over have noted there is no superintendent or principal by having the chair of the Board of Trustees submit evidence of the supervisory role of the county superintendent.

(21) "Year of teaching experience" means employment in an accredited school during a school fiscal year as a licensed member of an instructional staff. The experience required must be obtained in a school organization consistent with Montana's K-12 pattern. Experience gained prior to basic eligibility for initial licensure is not considered.

(22) "Year of validity" means the full year of a teaching license. All licenses are validated July 1 through June 30.