The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.(1) Academic year--If not referring to the academic year of a particular public, private, or charter school or institution of higher education, September 1 through August 31.(2) Accredited institution of higher education--An institution of higher education that, at the time it conferred the degree, was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.(3) ACT®--The college entrance examination from ACT®.(4) Administrator--For purposes of the surveys and information required by this chapter, an educator whose certification would entitle him or her to be assigned as a principal or assistant principal in Texas, whether or not he or she is currently working in such an assignment.(5) Beginning teacher--For purposes of the Texas Education Code, §21.045(a)(3), and its implementation in this chapter, a classroom teacher with fewer than three years of experience as a certified classroom teacher.(6) Candidate--An individual who has been formally or contingently admitted into an educator preparation program (EPP) who has not yet completed or exited the EPP.(7) Certification category--A certificate type within a certification class, as described in Chapter 233 of this title (relating to Categories of Classroom Teaching Certificates).(8) Certification class--A certificate, as described in §230.33 of this title (relating to Classes of Certificates), that has defined characteristics; may contain one or more certification categories, as described in Chapter 233 of this title.(9) Clinical teaching--An assignment, as described in §228.2 of this title (relating to Definitions).(10) Completer--A person who has met all the requirements of an approved educator preparation program. In applying this definition, the fact that a person has or has not been recommended for a standard certificate or passed a certification examination shall not be used as criteria for determining who is a completer.(11) Consecutively measured years--Consecutive years for which a group's performance is measured, excluding years in which the small group exception applies, in accordance with §229.4(c) of this title (relating to Determination of Accreditation Status).(12) Content Pedagogy Test--Examination listed in the column labeled "Required Content Pedagogy Test(s)" in Figure 19 TAC §230.21(e). (13) Cooperating teacher--An individual, as described in §228.2 of this title (relating to Definitions), who supports a candidate during a candidate's clinical teaching experience.(14) Demographic group--Male and female, as to gender; and African American, Hispanic, White, and Other, as to race and ethnicity. (15) Educator preparation program--An entity approved by the State Board for Educator Certification to recommend candidates in one or more educator certification classes or categories.(16) Educator preparation program data--Data reported to meet requirements under the Texas Education Code, §21.045(b) and §21.0452.(17) Examination--An examination or other test required by statute, or any other State Board for Educator Certification rule codified in the Texas Administrative Code,