As used in this act:

(a) “School district” means any public school district.

(b) “Board” means the board of education of any school district.

(c) “State board” means the state board of education.

(d) “Department” means the state department of education.

(e) “Limited English proficient pupils” means national origin-minority pupils who because of their inability to speak, read, write and/or understand the English language are excluded from effective participation in the educational programs offered by a school district.

(f) “Qualified teacher” means a person employed by a school district for its bilingual education program who is: (1) A teacher qualified to instruct limited English proficient pupils as determined by standards established by the state board and who is so certified and endorsed by the state board; or (2) a paraprofessional qualified to assist certificated teachers in the instruction of limited English proficient pupils as determined by standards established by the state board and who is so approved by the state board.

(g) “Program” means a program of bilingual education designed primarily to develop the English language skills of limited English proficient pupils in order to integrate such pupils into regular educational programs and enable such pupils to progress toward the maximum of their abilities.