Because of the large number of concepts in the NTPS, only those pertaining to the level of data collection (school, principal, and teacher) are described in this section. For additional terms, the reader is referred to future reports from NCES.
Public school. An institution that provides educational services for at least one of grades 1‑12 (or comparable ungraded levels), has one or more teachers to give instruction, is located in one or more buildings, receives public funds as primary support, and is operated by an education agency. Schools located on military bases in the 50 states or District of Columbia and operated by the Department of Defense are included.
Charter school. A charter school is a public school that, in accordance with an enabling state statute, has been granted a charter exempting it from selected state or local rules and regulations. A charter school may be a newly created school or it may previously have been a public or private school.
Private school. A private school is not supported primarily by public funds, provides classroom instruction for one or more of grades K-12 or comparable ungraded levels, and has one or more teachers. Organizations or institutions that provide support for home schooling without offering classroom instruction for students are not included.
Principal. The head administrator of the sampled school.
Teacher. A full‑ or part‑time teacher who teaches any regularly scheduled classes in any of grades K‑12¹. This includes regular classroom and special education teachers. Itinerant teachers are also included, as well as long‑term substitutes who are filling the role of a regular teacher on a long‑term basis. An itinerant teacher is one who teaches at more than one school (e.g., a music teacher who teaches 3 days per week at one school and 2 days per week at another). Short‑term substitute teachers and student teachers are not included.