The following definitions apply to the terms used in this chapter:

"Certificated classroom teacher" and "teacher" mean a certificated employee who provides academically focused instruction to students and holds one or more of the certificates under WAC 181-79A-140 (1) through (3), and 181-79A-142 (1), (2)(a), (b), (d), and (3).

"Certificated principal," "principal" and "assistant principal" mean a person who is employed to supervise the operation and management of a school as provided by RCW 28A.400.100 and holds certificates under WAC 181-79A-140 (4)(a) and 181-79A-142 (1), (2)(a), (d), and (3).

"Certificated support personnel" and "certificate support person" mean a certificated employee who provides services to students and holds one or more of the educational staff associate certificates under WAC 181-79A-140(5) and 181-79A-142 (1), (2)(a), (d), and (3).

"Evaluation" shall mean the ongoing process of identifying, gathering and using information to improve professional performance, assess total job effectiveness, and make personnel decisions.

"Evaluation criteria" means minimum evaluation criteria for classroom teachers specified in WAC 392-191A-060, the minimum evaluation criteria for principals specified in WAC 392-191A-150, and the minimum evaluation criteria for certificated support personnel specified in WAC 392-191-020 and 392-191A-210.

"Evidence" means observed practice, products or results of a certificated classroom teacher's or certificated principal's work that demonstrates knowledge and skills of the educator with respect to the four-level rating system.

"Four-level rating system" means the continuum of performance that indicates the extent to which the criteria have been met or exceeded.

"Instructional framework" means one of the approved instructional frameworks adopted by the superintendent of public instruction to support the four-level rating system pursuant to RCW 28A.405.100.

"Leadership framework" means one of the approved leadership frameworks adopted by the superintendent of public instruction to support the four-level rating system pursuant to RCW 28A.405.100.

"Observe" or "observation" means the gathering of evidence made through classroom or worksite visits, or other visits, work samples, or conversations that allow for the gathering of evidence of the performance of assigned duties for the purpose of examining evidence over time against the instructional or leadership framework rubrics pursuant to this section.

"Rubrics" or "rubric row" means the descriptions of practice used to capture evidence and data and classify teaching or leadership performance and student growth using the evaluation criteria and the four-level rating system.

"Scoring band" means the adopted range of scores used to determine the final summative score for a certificated classroom teacher or principal.

"Student growth" means the change in student achievement between two points in time.

"Student growth data" means relevant multiple measures that can include classroom-based, school-based, school district-based, and state-based tools.

"Summative performance ratings" means the four performance levels applied using the four-level rating system: Level 1 - Unsatisfactory; Level 2 - Basic; Level 3 - Proficient; Level 4 - Distinguished.