As used in this article 76, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Commission" means the Colorado commission on higher education created in section 23-1-102.(2) "Educator preparation program" means an educator preparation program approved by the department of education pursuant to section 22-60.5-121 and that upon completion leads to a recommendation for licensure.(3) "Institution of higher education" means a public, private, or proprietary postsecondary institution authorized by the commission to offer educator preparation programs.(4) "Rural school or school district" means a school or school district that the department of education has determined to be rural. "Rural school or school district" includes a charter school or institute charter school that falls within the geographic range of a rural school district, as determined by the department of education.(5) "Special services provider" means a person, other than a teacher, principal, or administrator, who provides professional services in direct support of an instructional program. "Special services providers" includes speech language pathologists, psychologists, audiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, counselors, nurses, and social workers.Amended by 2023 Ch. 334,§ 19, eff. 8/7/2023.Amended by 2018 Ch. 233, § 2, eff. 8/8/2018.Added by 2016 Ch. 234, § 1, eff. 6/6/2016.L. 2016: Entire article added, (SB 16-104), ch. 234, p. 945, § 1, effective June 6. L. 2018: IP amended and (5) added, (SB 18-085), ch. 233, p. 1455, § 2, effective August 8.2023 Ch. 334, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3). For the legislative declaration in SB 23-258, see section 1 of chapter 334, Session Laws of Colorado 2023.