C.R.S. § 23-3.9-101: Definitions.

As used in this part 1, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Approved program of preparation" means a program of study for preparation that is approved by the department of education pursuant to section 22-60.5-121 and that upon completion leads to a recommendation for licensure.

(2) "Commission" means the Colorado commission on higher education.

(2.5) "Educator" means a teacher, principal, or special services provider, as those terms are defined in section 22-60.5-102; except that a special services provider need not be employed by a school district.

(3) "Facility school" means an approved facility school as defined in section 22-2-402 (1), C.R.S.

(3.5) Repealed.

(3.7) "Qualified loan" means an educational loan incurred while completing a program of preparation, including an alternative preparation program approved pursuant to article 60.5 of title 22, that leads to educator licensure pursuant to article 60.5 of title 22, or a bachelor's or master's degree in the area in which the educator is employed in a qualified position. The commission shall determine if a loan is a qualified loan for purposes of the educator loan forgiveness program created in section 23-3.9-102.

(4) "Qualified position" means:

(a) A hard-to-staff educator position in a rural school or rural school district or in a facility school that is in a rural school district identified by the department of education pursuant to section 23-3.9-102 (6); or

(b) A hard-to-staff educator position in a Colorado public school, a school operated by a board of cooperative services created pursuant to article 5 of title 22, or a facility school in a content shortage area identified pursuant to section 23-3.9-102 (6).

(5) "Rural school" or "rural school district" means a public school or school district identified by the department of education pursuant to section 23-3.9-102 (6).

(6) "School" or "public school" means a public school as provided in section 22-1-101, including a charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of title 22, an institute charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of title 22, or a school operated by a board of cooperative services created and operating pursuant to article 5 of title 22.