(a) The professional development funding amount shall be:

1. (1) An amount up to the amount authorized by law; multiplied by
2. (2) The district’s ADM of the previous school year.

(b) Professional development funding shall be expended for:

1. (1) Approved professional development activities and materials as required by the Teacher Excellence and Support System, Arkansas Code § 6-17-2801 et seq., by other law or rule, or by the school district, that:

   1. (A) Improve the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of teachers;
   2. (B) Address the knowledge and skills of administrators and paraprofessionals concerning effective instructional:

(i) Strategies;

1. (ii) Methods; and

   1. (iii) Skills;
   2. (C) Lead to improved student academic achievement; and
   3. (D) Improve the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of Response to Intervention and dyslexia intervention instruction;
2. (2) Employing instructional facilitators or Literacy, Mathematics, or Science Specialists/Coaches, grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12), as described in this part; and

3. (3) Training for school bus drivers in compliance with rules promulgated by the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation.

   1. (c) Districts may expend state professional development funding to provide the requisite hours of professional development required by law or rule.

      1. (d)
4. (1) Professional development funding is restricted state aid.
5. (2) Professional development funding shall be spent on activities identified in this part except as otherwise allowed by law or rule.

(f)

1. (1) Professional development activities and funding shall be included in the district’s support plan.

2. (2)

   1. (A) Use of professional development funds shall be included within the school district’s support plan.
   2. (B) The plan must include how the funds will be spent.
3. (3) The district shall annually evaluate professional development implementation supported by professional development funds to ensure that professional development as implemented by the school or district provides intervention prevention services designed to increase student achievement.
4. (4) Evaluation data regarding the implementation and effect of professional development and professional growth plans should be utilized in the school improvement process to determine future professional development plans.
5. (5) The total professional development funds shall be budgeted in the school or school district’s financial management software.