2011 Indiana Code
TITLE 20. EDUCATION
ARTICLE 20. PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE
CHAPTER 31. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

IC 20-20-31
Chapter 31. Professional Development Program

IC 20-20-31-1
"Plan"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "plan" refers to an Indiana school academic plan established under IC 20-19-2-11.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-2
"Program"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to a professional development program.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-3
"School"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "school" includes the following:
(1) A public school.
(2) A nonpublic school that has voluntarily become accredited under IC 20-19-2-8.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-4
Program development required
Sec. 4. A school shall develop a program as a component of a plan established by the school.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-5
Program requirements
Sec. 5. The following apply to a program developed under this chapter:
(1) The program must emphasize improvement of student learning and performance.
(2) The program must be developed by the committee that develops the school's strategic and continuous improvement and achievement plan under IC 20-31-5-1.
(3) The program must be integrated with the school's strategic and continuous improvement and achievement plan developed under IC 20-31-5.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-6
State superintendent's review of plan
Sec. 6. A school committee shall submit the school's program to the state superintendent for the superintendent's review. The state superintendent:
(1) shall review the plan to ensure that the program aligns with the school corporation's objectives, goals, and expectations; (2) may make written recommendations of modifications to the program to ensure alignment; and
(3) shall return the program and any recommendations to the school committee.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-7
Modification of plan
Sec. 7. A school committee may modify the program to comply with recommendations made by the state superintendent under section 6 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-8
Submission of plan to governing body
Sec. 8. A school committee shall submit the program as part of its plan to the governing body. The governing body shall:
(1) approve or reject the program as part of the plan; and
(2) submit the program to the state board as part of the plan for the school.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-9
State board's approval of program; criteria
Sec. 9. The state board may approve a school's program only if the program meets the board's core principles for professional development and the following additional criteria:
(1) To ensure high quality professional development, the program:
(A) is school based and collaboratively designed, and encourages participants to work collaboratively;
(B) has a primary focus on state and local academic standards, including a focus on Core 40 subject areas;
(C) enables teachers to improve expertise in subject knowledge and teaching strategies, uses of technologies, and other essential elements in teaching to high standards;
(D) furthers the alignment of standards, curriculum, and assessments; and
(E) includes measurement activities to ensure the transfer of new knowledge and skills to classroom instruction.
(2) A variety of resources, including needs assessments, an analysis of data regarding student learning needs, professional literature, research, and school improvement programs, are used in developing the program.
(3) The program supports professional development for all stakeholders.
(4) The program includes ongoing professional growth experiences that provide adequate time and job embedded opportunities to support school improvement and student learning, including flexible time for professional development

that provides professional development opportunities before, during, and after the regular school day and school year.
(5) Under the program, teacher time for professional development sustains instructional coherence, participant involvement, and continuity for students.
(6) The program includes effective, research based strategies to support ongoing developmental activities.
(7) The program supports experiences to increase the effective use of technology to improve teaching and learning.
(8) The program encourages diverse techniques, including inquiry, reflection, action research, networking, study groups, coaching, and evaluation.
(9) The program includes a means for evaluating the effectiveness of the program and activities under the program.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-10
Evaluation system for professional development; evaluating school programs and activities
Sec. 10. The state board shall approve an evaluation system for professional development based on recommendations from the department. The department shall develop a means for measuring successful programs and activities in which schools participate. The measurements must include the following:
(1) A mechanism to identify and develop strategies to collect multiple forms of data that reflect the achievement of expectations for all students. The data may include the results of ISTEP program tests under IC 20-31-3, IC 20-32-4, IC 20-32-5, and IC 20-32-6, local tests, classroom work, and teacher and administrator observations.
(2) A procedure for using collected data to make decisions.
(3) A method of evaluation in terms of educator's practice and student learning, including standards for effective teaching and effective professional development.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.128; P.L.90-2011, SEC.6.

IC 20-20-31-11
School eligibility for grant; approval of program
Sec. 11. A school qualifies for a grant from the department when the school's program, developed and submitted under this chapter, is approved by the state board upon recommendation of the department. For purposes of determining whether a school qualifies for a grant under this chapter, the department shall:
(1) review;
(2) suggest changes to; and
(3) recommend approval or rejection of;
a school's program.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.
IC 20-20-31-12
Use of grant to implement program
Sec. 12. A school must use a grant received under this chapter to implement all or part of the school's program by funding activities that may include the following:
(1) Partnership programs with other entities, including professional development schools.
(2) Teacher leadership academies, research teams, and study groups.
(3) Workshops, seminars, and site visits.
(4) Cooperative programs with other school corporations.
(5) National board certification for teachers.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-13
Contracting for professional development activities
Sec. 13. A school may contract with private or public sector providers to provide professional development activities under this chapter.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-14
Use of grant; restrictions
Sec. 14. A grant received under this chapter:
(1) may be expended only for the conduct of activities specified in the program; and
(2) must be coordinated with other professional development programs and expenditures of the school and school corporation.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.

IC 20-20-31-15
Report
Sec. 15. A school shall report to the department concerning the use of grants received under this chapter. A school that fails to make a report under this chapter is not eligible for a subsequent grant.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.4.