18A:6-128 Ongoing professional development.

15. a. A board of education, principal, or superintendent shall provide its teaching staff members with ongoing professional development that supports student achievement and with an individual professional development plan. To the greatest extent feasible, professional development opportunities shall be developed in consultation with the school improvement panels established pursuant to section 12 of P.L.2012, c.26 (C.18A:6-120) in order to be responsive to the unique needs of different instructional staff members in different instructional settings.

b. A board of education, principal, or superintendent shall provide additional professional development for any teaching staff member who fails or is struggling to meet the performance standards established by the board, as documented in the teaching staff member's annual summative evaluation. The additional professional development shall be designed to correct the needs identified in the annual summative evaluation.

A corrective action plan shall be developed by the teaching staff member and a teaching staff member serving in a supervisory capacity to address deficiencies outlined in the evaluation when the employee is rated ineffective or partially effective. The corrective action plan shall include timelines for corrective action and responsibilities of the teaching staff member and the school district for implementation of the plan.

c. All funds budgeted by a school district for professional development shall be used primarily to provide the professional development required pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2012, c.26 (C.18A:6-117 et al.).

L.2012, c.26, s.15.