281—80.1(272) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this chapter:
“Authorized official” means an individual with the authority within the institution and the unit to monitor and ensure compliance with this chapter.
	1.	If the unit is within a community college, an institution of higher education under the state board of regents, or an accredited private institution of higher education, the official must maintain, oversee, and be responsible for the program within the unit.
	2.	If the unit is within an Iowa public school district or area education agency, the official must have one or more of the following credentials issued by the board of educational examiners: a teacher license (with the exception of a substitute teaching license), an administrator license, a professional services license, an elementary professional school counselor endorsement, a secondary professional school counselor endorsement, a school nurse endorsement, a special education support personnel authorization, or a statement of professional recognition. Other authorizations or certificates issued by the board of educational examiners do not satisfy the terms of this paragraph.
“Department” means the department of education.
“Director” means the director of the department of education.
“Diverse groups” means one or more groups of individuals possessing certain traits or characteristics, including but not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status.
“Institution” means an Iowa public school district, area education agency, community college, institution of higher education under the state board of regents or accredited private institution as defined in Iowa Code section 261.9(1) offering a paraeducator preparation program(s).
“Paraeducator candidate” means an individual who is enrolled in a paraeducator preparation program leading to certification as a generalist, a generalist with area(s) of concentration, or an advanced paraeducator.
“Paraeducator preparation program” means the program of paraeducator preparation leading to certification of paraeducators.
“State board” means Iowa state board of education.
“Unit” means the organizational entity within an institution with the responsibility of administering the paraeducator preparation program(s).
[ARC 7661C, IAB 3/6/24, effective 4/10/24]