(1)

1. (A) “Approved professional development provider” means any organization or individual that provides content for professional development, whether delivered in a face-to-face or electronic mode of delivery, whose content has been approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to meet professional development requirements for school employees.

2. (B) The following entities and agencies are not required to obtain approval as an approved professional development provider:

   1. (i) An Arkansas public school district, open-enrollment public charter school, or education service cooperative that provides a professional development program solely to its own personnel;
   2. (ii) An education service cooperative that provides professional development to public school districts, public schools, or both; and
   3. (iii) The Department of Education;

(3) “Educator” means any individual holding a license issued by the State Board of Education or any individual employed under a waiver of teacher licensure under the Arkansas Quality Charter Schools Act of 2013, Arkansas Code § 6-23-101 et seq., Arkansas Code § 6-15-2801 et seq., Arkansas Code § 6-15-103, or the Rules Governing Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts, 6 CAR pt. 61, including without limitation:

1. (A) Teachers;
2. (B) Administrators;
3. (C) Library media specialists; and
4. (D) Counselors;

(6) “Immediate family” means an educator’s:

1. (A) Spouse;
2. (B) Child;
3. (C) Parent; or
4. (D) Any other relative if the other relative lives in the same household as the educator;

(10) “Professional development” means a set of coordinated, planned learning activities for teachers, administrators, and nonlicensed school employees that:

1. (A) Is required by statute or by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education; or

2. (B) Meets the following criteria:

   1. (i) Is part of the professional development hours or professional learning credits, as determined by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, required by law or by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education;
   2. (ii) Improves the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of teachers;
   3. (iii) Improves the knowledge and skills of administrators and paraprofessionals concerning effective instructional strategies, methods, and skills;
   4. (iv) Leads to improved student academic achievement; and
   5. (v) Is research-based and standards-based;
3. (C) May incorporate educational technology as a component of the professional development, including without limitation taking or teaching an online or blended course; and

4. (D) May provide educators with knowledge and skills needed to teach:

   1. (i) Students with intellectual disabilities, including without limitation autism spectrum disorder;
   2. (ii) Students with specific learning disorders, including without limitation dyslexia;
   3. (iii) Culturally and linguistically diverse students; and
   4. (iv) Gifted students;

(13) “Professional development plan” means a plan that outlines the professional development program of activities for a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school or an educator that is:

1. (A) Based on student data; and
2. (B) Incorporates an educator’s professional growth plan;

(15) “Professional growth plan” means an educator’s plan for professional growth that:

1. (A) Identifies professional learning outcomes to advance the educator’s professional skills; and
2. (B) Clearly links professional development activities and the educator’s individual professional learning needs identified through TESS or LEADS;

(17)

1. (A) “Study groups” means a group of educators who meet to learn, implement, and reflect on research-based techniques in a focus area or areas.

2. (B) Members:

   1. (i) Read and discuss current research;
   2. (ii) Examine and reflect on effective instruction; or
   3. (iii) Examine student work; and