An Act To Improve Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers and Other Public School Employees
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §264 is enacted to read:
§ 264. Professional development
(1) The professional development activities for which funding is requested will improve the ability of teachers and other education professionals in the school administrative unit to teach or provide other educational services for students in the school administrative unit's schools;
(2) The school administrative unit will cover from local funds at least 50% of the cost of the professional development for which funding is requested; and
(3) The school administrative unit has entered into an agreement with teachers and other education professionals in the school administrative unit regarding the purpose, dates, times and program components of the professional development activities for which funding is sought.
Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Professional Development 0859
Initiative: Provides ongoing funds to school administrative units for a portion of the cost of professional development for teachers and other education professionals.
| GENERAL FUND | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|
All Other
|
$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
 |
|
|
| GENERAL FUND TOTAL | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
summary
This bill establishes the Fund for Professional Development in Education with an appropriation of $2,000,000 to support up to 50% of the cost of up to an additional 10 days annually of professional development for teachers and other education professionals. The fund is administered by the Commissioner of Education, who must approve funding if a school administrative unit demonstrates that the professional development for which funding is requested will improve teaching or educational services provided to students, the school administrative unit will provide at least 50% of the funding and the school administrative unit has entered into an agreement with the teachers regarding the timing and components of the professional development activities.