Section 8.001. Definitions.

  In this chapter:

(1)  "Access" means an opportunity to study through school district course offerings, independent study, cooperative educational service agencies, or cooperative arrangements between school district boards under s. 66.0301 , Stats., and postsecondary education institutions.

(2)  "Career exploration and planning" means the process by which elementary and secondary pupils identify and evaluate life and work choices, explore and plan career goals, and acquire realistic life and work decision-making skills.

(2m)  "Charter school" means a school established under s. 118.40 , Stats.

(3)  "Children at risk" has the meaning set forth in s. 118.153 (1) (a) , Stats.

(4)  "Days" means calendar days unless otherwise specified.

(5)  "Department" means the Wisconsin department of public instruction.

(5m)  "Direction" includes planning, consultation, inservice training and periodic review.

(6)  "Hours" means clock hours.

(6g)  "Innovative Instructional Design" means an instructional program aligned to school district standards and used to improve student academic achievement through instruction offered outside of the normal school day, virtually, or in an alternative setting.

(6m)  "Instructional staff" for the purposes of charter schools, means all professional employees who have as part of their responsibility direct contact with students or with the instructional program of the school. Instructional staff includes, but is not limited to, teachers, librarians, pupil services staff, and administrative staff who supervise licensed staff.

(7)  "Kindergarten" means 5-year old kindergarten unless otherwise specified.

(8)  "Licensed" means holding a valid license issued by the department as required under ss. 118.19 and 121.02 (1) (a) , Stats.

(8m)  "Middle level format" means an organizational pattern which includes part or all of grades 5 to 9.

(9)  "Postsecondary education institutions" means public and private colleges and universities, and vocational and technical institutions and schools.

(10)  "School district board" means the school board in charge of the schools of a public school district.

(11)  "School term" has the meaning set forth in s. 115.001 (12) , Stats.

(12)  "State superintendent" means the state superintendent of public instruction.

(13)  "Vocational education" means instructional programs designed to assist pupils in achieving mastery of the skills set forth in s. 118.01 (2) (b) , Stats.