(a) For the purposes of this section, "teacher preparation institution" means a state institution of higher education with a teacher preparation program.

(b) The intent of this section is to establish a structure to enhance collaboration between the teacher preparation institutions, the Center for Professional Development, state board and the regional education service agencies in providing professional development.

(c) The Legislature finds that:

(1) There is insufficient collaboration of the teacher preparation institutions with the Center for Professional Development, state board and each of the regional education service agencies;

(2) More collaboration would prevent duplication of services and result in higher quality professional development;

(3) Creating a structure and assigning responsibility would promote more effective collaboration;

(4) The state's research and doctoral degree-granting public institutions of higher education, West Virginia University and Marshall University, have the most capacity to be important sources of research and expertise on professional development;

(5) West Virginia University and Marshall University are the only institutions in the state that offer course work leading to a doctoral degree in education administration;

(6) As the largest state institutions of higher education, West Virginia University and Marshall University have more capacity than any other institution in the state to handle the additional responsibilities assigned in this section;

(7) The coordination by West Virginia University and Marshall University of the efforts of other teacher preparation institutions to collaborate with the Center for Professional Development, state board and each of the regional education service agencies will provide points of accountability for the collaboration efforts of the other institutions; and

(8) The state board's authority over the regional education service agencies can be used to motivate the agencies to collaborate with the teacher preparation institutions in providing professional development and will serve as a point of accountability for the collaboration efforts of the agencies.

(d) West Virginia University and Marshall University shall collaborate with the Center for Professional Development in performing the center's duties. This collaboration shall include at least the following:

(1) Including the teacher preparation institutions in the proposed professional staff development program goals required by section three, article two-i of this chapter to be included in the master plan for professional development;

(2) Providing any available research-based expertise that would be helpful in the design of the proposed professional staff development program goals;

(3) Providing any available research-based expertise that would be helpful in the implementation of professional development programs; and

(4) Arranging for other state institutions of higher education having a teacher preparation program to assist the center when that assistance would be helpful.

(e) All teacher preparation institutions shall collaborate with the regional education service agency of the service area in which the institution is located at least to:

(1) Prevent unnecessary duplication of services;

(2) Assist in the implementation of the professional development programs of the regional education service agency; and

(3) Assist the regional education service agency in obtaining any available grants for professional development or to apply for any available grant with the agency collaboratively.

(f) Since no teacher preparation institution exists in the service area of Regional Education Service Agency IV, Marshall University shall collaborate with that agency for the purposes set forth in subdivision (e) of this section.

(g) In addition to the collaboration required by subsections (e) and (f) of this section of all teacher preparation institutions, West Virginia University and Marshall University shall:

(1) Coordinate the collaboration of each of the other teacher preparation institutions in their designated coordination area with the appropriate regional education service agency. This coordination at least includes ensuring that each of the other institutions are collaborating with the appropriate regional education service agency; and

(2) Collaborate with each of the other teacher preparation institutions in their designated coordination area. This collaboration at least includes providing assistance to the other institutions in providing professional development and in their collaboration with the appropriate regional education service agency.

(h) The designated coordination area of West Virginia University includes the service areas of Regional Education Service Agencies V, VI, VII and VIII. The designated coordination area of Marshall University includes the service areas of Regional Education Service Agencies I, II, III and IV.

(i) The state board shall ensure that each of the regional education service agencies is collaborating with the teacher preparation institution or institutions in its service area for the purposes set forth in subsection (e) of this section. Since Regional Education Service Agency IV does not have a teacher preparation institution in its service area, the state board shall ensure that it is collaborating with Marshall University for the purposes set forth in subsection (e) of this section.

(j) Before a regional education service agency, except for Regional Education Service Agency IV, obtains professional development related services or expertise from any teacher preparation institution outside of that agency's service area, the agency shall inform the state board. Before Regional Education Service Agency IV obtains professional development related services or expertise from any teacher preparation institution other than Marshall University, the agency shall inform the state board.

(k) The collaboration and coordination requirements of this section include collaborating and coordinating to provide professional development for at least teachers, principals and paraprofessionals.