SECTION 97.1051. Definitions

For purposes under Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapters 39 and 39A, and this subchapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Board of managers--A board appointed by the commissioner of education to serve as a governing body that must, if possible, include:

(A) community leaders;

(B) business representatives who have expertise in leadership; and

(C) individuals who have knowledge or expertise in the field of education.

(2) Board of trustees--The definition of this term includes a governing body of a charter holder as defined by TEC, §12.1012.

(3) Campus--An organizational unit operated by the school district that is eligible to receive a campus performance rating in the state accountability rating system under §97.1001 of this title (relating to Accountability Rating System), including a rating of Not Rated or Not Rated: Data Integrity Issues. The definition of this term includes a charter school campus as defined by §100.1001(3)(C) of this title (relating to Definitions).

(4) Campus turnaround--A comprehensive change in an academically unacceptable campus that produces significant and sustainable gains in achievement within two years. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "academically unacceptable" performance means a rating of Academically Unacceptable, AEA: Academically Unacceptable, Improvement Required, or Unacceptable Performance or as otherwise indicated in the applicable year's academic accountability manual.

(5) Charter school--This term has the meaning assigned by §100.1001(3) of this title. References to a charter school in TEC, Chapters 39 and 39A, and rules adopted under it, shall mean either the board of trustees or the school district, as appropriate.

(6) Charter school site--This term has the meaning assigned by §100.1001(3)(D) of this title.

(7) District coordinator of school improvement (DCSI)--An employee of a school district in a leadership position in school improvement, in curriculum and instruction, or in another position with responsibility for student performance.

(8) Newspaper of general circulation--A newspaper, as defined in Texas Government Code, §2051.044, that has more than a minimum number of subscribers among a particular geographic region, that has a diverse subscribership, and that publishes some news items of general interest to the community.

(9) Person--This term has the meaning assigned by the Code Construction Act, Government Code, §311.005(2), and includes a school district.

(10) Professional service provider (PSP)-- An approved service provider who has been vetted through an application or a request for qualifications (RFQ) process to provide on-site technical assistance for underperforming schools and districts either by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or the TEA's technical assistance provider.

(11) Root cause--The education-related factors resulting in a campus's low performance and lack of progress.

(12) School district and district--The definition of these terms includes a charter operator, which is the same as a charter holder as defined by TEC, §12.1012.

Source Note: The provisions of this §97.1051 adopted to be effective January 6, 2008, 33 TexReg 150; amended to be effective November 23, 2008, 33 TexReg 9462; amended to be effective July 28, 2010, 35 TexReg 6523; amended to be effective February 5, 2015, 40 TexReg 437; amended to be effective November 17, 2016, 41 TexReg 9012; amended to be effective January 28, 2018, 43 TexReg 452