WAC 180-90-112   Definitions.  The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "Approved private school" means a nonpublic school or nonpublic school district conducting a program consisting of kindergarten and at least grade one, or a program consisting of any or all of grades one through twelve which has been approved by the state board of education in accordance with the minimum standards for approval as prescribed in this chapter.

     (2)(a) "Reasonable health requirements" means those standards contained in chapter 246-366 WAC as adopted by the state board of health.

     (b) "Reasonable fire safety requirements" means those standards adopted by the state fire marshal pursuant to chapter 43.44 RCW.

     (3)(a) "Minor deviation" means a variance from the standards established by these regulations which represents little or no threat to the health or safety of students and school personnel, and which does not raise a question as to the ability of the school to provide an educational program which is in substantial compliance with the minimum standards set forth in WAC 180-90-160, and which, therefore, does not preclude the granting of full approval.

     (b) "Major deviation" means a variance from the standards established by these regulations which represents little or no threat to the health or safety of students and school personnel but raises a question as to the ability of the school to provide an educational program which substantially complies with the minimum standards set forth in WAC 180-90-160, but is not so serious as to constitute an unacceptable deviation.

     (c) "Unacceptable deviation" means a variance from the standards established by these regulations which either:

     (i) Constitutes a serious, imminent threat to the health or safety of students or school personnel; or

     (ii) Demonstrates that the school is not capable of providing an educational program which substantially complies with the minimum standards set forth in WAC 180-90-160.

     (4) "Total instructional hour offering" means those hours when students are provided the opportunity to engage in educational activity planned by and under the direction of school staff, as directed by the administration and board of directors, inclusive of intermissions for class changes, recess and teacher/parent-guardian conferences which are planned and scheduled by the approved private school for the purpose of discussing students' educational needs for progress, and exclusive of time actually spent for meals.

     (5)(a) "Non-Washington state certificated teacher" means a person who has:

     (i) A K-12 teaching certificate from a nationally accredited preparation program, other than Washington state, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; or

     (ii) A minimum of forty-five quarter credits beyond the baccalaureate degree with a minimum of forty-five quarter credits in courses in the subject matter to be taught or in courses closely related to the subject matter to be taught; or

     (iii) A minimum of three calendar years of experience in a specialized field. For purposes of this subsection the term "specialized field" means a specialized area of the curriculum where skill or talent is applied and where entry into an occupation in such field generally does not require a baccalaureate degree, including, but not limited to, the fields of art, drama, dance, music, physical education, and career and technical or occupational education.

     (b) "Exceptional case" means that a circumstance exists within a private school in which:

     (i) The educational program offered by the private school will be significantly improved with the employment of a non-Washington state certificated teacher. Each teacher not holding a valid Washington state certificate shall have experience or academic preparation appropriate to K-12 instruction and consistent with the school's mission. Such experience or academic preparation shall be consistent with the provisions of (c) of this subsection; and

     (ii) The school which employs a non-Washington state certificated teacher or teachers pursuant to this subsection employs at least one person certified pursuant to rules of the state board of education and (c) of this subsection to every twenty-five FTE students enrolled in grades kindergarten through twelve. The school will report the academic preparations and experience of each teacher providing K-12 instruction; and

     (iii) The non-Washington state certificated teacher of the private school, employed pursuant to this section and as verified by the private school, meets the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements of WAC 181-79A-150 (1) and (2), has not had his or her teacher's certificate revoked by any state or foreign country. (WAC 181-79A-155 (5)(a).)

     (c) "Unusual competence": As applied to an exceptional case wherein the educational program as specified in RCW 28A.195.010 and WAC 180-90-160(7) will be significantly improved with the employment of a non-Washington state certificated teacher as defined in (a) of this subsection.

     (d) "General supervision" means that a Washington state certificated teacher or administrator shall be generally available at the school site to observe and advise the teacher employed under provision of (c) of this subsection and shall evaluate pursuant to policies of the private school.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 28A.305 RCW, RCW 28A.150.220, 28A.230.090, 28A.310.020, 28A.210.160, and 28A.195.040. 10-23-104, § 180-90-112, filed 11/16/10, effective 12/17/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.195.040. 03-04-053, § 180-90-112, filed 1/29/03, effective 3/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.02.240. 85-24-056 (Order 23-85), § 180-90-112, filed 12/2/85.]