Section 5311 - DefinitionsAs used in this act:
(1) The term "elementary school" means a day or residential school which provides preschool, kindergarten or elementary education in the Commonwealth, including both public and nonpublic schools;(2) The term "secondary school" means a day or residential school which provides secondary education in the Commonwealth, including both public and nonpublic schools;(3) The term "institution of higher education" means an educational institution in the Commonwealth, which (i) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate;(ii) is legally authorized within the Commonwealth to provide a program of education beyond secondary education;(iii) provides an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a two-year program which is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree;(iv) is a public, nonpublic or other nonprofit institution; and(v) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association or, if not so accredited, is an institution with respect to which the secretary has determined that there is satisfactory assurance, considering the resources available to the institution, the period of time, if any, during which it has operated, the effort it is making to meet accreditation standards, and the purpose for which this determination is being made, that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time, or is an institution whose credits are accepted, on transfer, by not less than three institutions which are so accredited, for credit on the same basis as if transferred from an institution so accredited. Such term also includes any school which provides not less than a one-year program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation and which meets the provisions of subclauses (i), (ii), (iv) and (v). For purposes of this clause, the secretary shall, with the cooperation of the State Board of Education, publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies or associations which he determines to be reliable authority as to the quality of training offered.
(4) The term "local educational agency" means a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within the Commonwealth for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, elementary or secondary schools in any political subdivision or combinations thereof as are recognized in the Commonwealth as an administrative agency for its public elementary or secondary school.(5) The term "secretary" means the Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.(6) The term "council" means the governor's council on drug and alcohol abuse established by the act of April 14, 1972 (Act No. 63). (7) The term "state plan" means the master state plan for the control, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, research, education and training aspects of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence problems mandated by the act of April 14, 1972 (Act No. 63).1972, July 12, P.L. 765, No. 181, § 1, imd. effective.