P.R. Laws tit. 18, § 310
For the effects of this chapter, the terms defined below shall have the meaning that is indicated.
(1) Teaching career. — System of levels to promote the professional improvement of the classroom teacher and librarian-teacher, school counselor, school social worker, educational technology specialist teacher, industrial coordinator, and vocational programs coordinator through formal studies, professional activities, practice teaching and classifications and levels that define the functions, and hierarchies in the Public Education System.
(2) Department. — The Department of Education of Puerto Rico.
(3) Director. — The School Director.
(4) Continuing education. — The curriculum of educational activities, with academic credits or contact hours.
(5) Formal studies. — College level studies leading to an academic degree.
(6) Evaluation. — The process to assess the acquired knowledge, professional abilities and skills of the members of the teaching career.
(7) Member of the teaching career. — It refers to classroom teacher, librarian-teacher, school counselor, school social worker, educational technology specialist teacher, vocational programs coordinator and industrial coordinator.
(8) Professional improvement. — The development and perfecting of teaching skills through formal studies, practice teaching and experience in continuing education programs.
(9) Level. — Position that a member of the teaching career holds in his/her profession, between I and IV.
(10) Professional organizations. — All those that arise from the academic program curriculum and all those bona fide organizations that group teaching professionals for professional improvement purposes.
(11) Professional Improvement Plan. — A five (5)-year program designed to expand knowledge and promote the development of professional skills through formal studies, practice teaching and continuing education programs.
(12) Recognition of classification and teaching level. — The process whereby it is recognized that a member of the teaching career has completed his/her Professional Improvement Plan and has achieved a new level.
(13) Secretary. — The Secretary of Education.
(14) System. — The Public Education System of Puerto Rico.
History —July 18, 1999, No. 158, § 8.01, renumbered as § 7.01 and amended on Aug. 28, 2002, No. 208, § 8.