Article 3.1. Standards For Professional Development of California Education Code >> Division 3. >> Title 2. >> Part 25. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 3.1.

(a) (1) The State Department of Education shall issue a request for proposals to contract for the development of standards for professional development for educators and instructional leaders.
  (2) The standards shall present a vision of ongoing, high quality professional development, give special attention to high need schools and school districts, and build on existing work on quality professional development, including the Designs for Learning system.
  (3) The contractor shall also review and give consideration to other existing professional development programs.
  (4) The standards shall serve as guidelines for providers of professional development activities and may be used to facilitate the coordination among existing professional development programs.
  (b) By January 1, 2003, the entity with which the department contracts shall submit the standards to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for approval after which the superintendent shall submit the standards to the State Board of Education for approval.

The entity with which the State Department of Education contracts shall convene a committee of experts in teacher development, professional development, and instructional leadership to develop the standards and disseminate them for field review. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall determine the members of the committee of experts and shall include one representative from the University of California and one representative from the California State University.

The standards developed pursuant to this article shall meet all of the following characteristics:
  (a) Describe core concepts of high quality professional development and differentiate, where necessary or appropriate, program qualities for high need schools.
  (b) Support respect for individual experience and adult learning theory.
  (c) Integrate the academic content standards adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to Section 60605 and instructional guides.
  (d) Incorporate the California Standards for the Teaching Profession adopted by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing in January 1997.
  (e) Provide equitable and timely access to professional development for all educators.
  (f) Require program models and designs that include evidence based assessment of outcomes for participants.
  (g) Utilize the results of evaluation research based on models of organizational learning and increased pupil learning to improve programs.
  (h) Describe the core skills and competencies of coaches, mentors, support providers, university supervisors, and consulting teachers.