581-012-0001 Definitions: Regional Educator Networks The following definitions apply to OAR 581-012-0001 to 581-012-0019 (1) “Capacity Grants” means grant funds that are dispersed from the Educator Advancement Fund to Sponsoring Organizations for the purpose of meeting the goals identified in ORS 342.943 and in accordance with OAR 581-012-0013. (2) “Consortium” means the formation of a formal partnership between two or more eligible Sponsoring Organizations within a region for the purpose of sponsoring an educator network as described in ORS 342.943. (3) “Coordinating Body” has the meaning given in ORS 342.943(2)(f), shall include a majority of Educators, as defined by ORS 342.940, who are based in schools from different grades and content areas and reflective of the student demographics of the region served by the Educator Network. The Coordinating Body shall also include members representing relevant state agencies, early learning providers and professionals, school board members, educator preparation providers, education-focused nonprofit organizations, professional education associations, and federally recognized Tribes of this state. (4) “Design Teams” means teams of Regional Educator Network Member Organization representatives that meet for the purpose of identifying professional educator priorities and designing professional learning to address the priorities through a Continuous Improvement Process. Design Teams may include, but are not limited to, representatives of Member Organizations such as school building, school district, and/or education service district employees, inclusive of administrators, licensed teachers, classified staff, human resources professionals, and other school personnel. (5) “Educator” has the meaning given in ORS 342.940, a person who is: (a) A teacher, an administrator or another school employee who is employed to provide instruction or support to students in early childhood education or in kindergarten through grade 12; or (b) Entering into or enrolled in an educator preparation program. (6) “Educator Advancement Fund” means the fund established by ORS 342.953. (7) “ESD” means education service district as defined in ORS 334.003. (8) “Fiscal agent” means a School District, Education Service district, or Postsecondary Institution of Education that partners with a Sponsoring Organization for the purpose of accepting, holding and disbursing Regional Educator Network grant funds, and is responsible for adhering to the terms of the grant agreement, ensuring grant funds are spent properly and all required expenditure reporting is completed. (9) “Formula Funds” means grant funds that are dispersed from the Educator Advancement Fund to Sponsoring Organizations for the purpose of meeting the goals identified in ORS 342.943 and in accordance with OAR 581-012-0015. (10) “Member Organization” means an organization identified in OAR 581-012-0010 that employs Educators within a specified region served by the Regional Educator Network. (11) “Nonprofit Organization” means an education-focused organization that: (a) Is established as a nonprofit organization under the laws of Oregon; and (b) Qualifies as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) or a social welfare organization under 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code as defined in ORS 314.011. (12) “Oregon Equity Lens” means the equity lens as defined in OAR 581-018-0010. (13) “Postsecondary institution of Education” means: (a) A community college operated under ORS Chapter 341; (b) The following public universities: (A) University of Oregon; (B) Oregon State University; (C) Portland State University; (D) Oregon Institute of Technology; (E) Western Oregon University; (F) Southern Oregon University; (G) Eastern Oregon University; (c) Oregon Health and Science University; or (d) An Oregon-based, accredited, not-for-profit institution of higher education. (14) “Professional Learning Plan” means a two-year plan developed by representatives of Regional Educator Network Member Organizations, that is informed by teacher perspectives and that identifies purposeful and planned programmatic activities aimed at improvement and innovation to support Educators in accordance with the policies and goals of ORS 342.943. (15) “Regional Educator Network” means a formal partnership between Member Organizations, early learning organizations, and Postsecondary Institutions of Education that collaboratively works to implement ORS 342.943 by tailoring regional professional learning and support systems for improving outcomes for all Oregon students. (16) “Regional Educator Network Participant” means an Educator, as defined by ORS 342.940, who participates in any service or support that is funded by a Regional Educator Network funds. (17) “Regional Plan” means a four-year plan developed by the Sponsoring Organization in partnership with representatives of Member Organizations and Coordinating Body Members that articulates the region’s approach to collectively developing and investing in systems of support for educators in accordance with the policies and goals of ORS 342.943 and OAR 581 012 0011. (18) “School District” means a common or union high school district. (19) “Sponsoring Organization” means a School District, Education Service District, Nonprofit Organization, Postsecondary Institution of Education, Tribe, or a Consortia of any of these groups in a designated region of the state that was selected by the Educator Advancement Council for the purpose of sponsoring an educator network as described in ORS 342.943. (20) “Tribe” means any of the federally recognized Native American tribes of this state. (21) “Technical assistance” means targeted support provided by the Sponsoring Organization to Member Organizations in which guidance, support and or training is available to help develop skills, implement improvement efforts, or solve specific challenges. It can involve, but is not limited to, consulting, coaching, resource sharing, and capacity building efforts. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 342.940 & ORS 324.943 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 342.940 & ORS 324.943 History: ODE 24-2025, amend filed 05/16/2025, effective 05/16/2025 ODE 147-2019, adopt filed 10/24/2019, effective 10/24/2019 ODE 19-2019, temporary adopt filed 05/20/2019, effective 05/20/2019 through 11/15/2019