1. A. The local boards of education of this state shall establish professional development programs for the certified and licensed teachers and administrators of the district. Programs shall be adopted by each local board of education based upon recommendations of a professional development committee appointed by the board of education for the district. The State Board of Education shall disseminate to each local professional development committee a copy of the in-service professional development competencies included in the Report on Educator Preparation and Professional Development issued in December 1994 by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation for review and consideration and, if approved by the local professional development committee, to be included in part or in whole in the local professional development plan of the school district. The professional development centers funded through the State Board of Education shall provide technical assistance to any local school district which desires to incorporate any such competencies into its local professional development plan.
2. B. Each local professional development committee shall include classroom teachers, administrators and parents, guardians or custodians of children in the local school district and shall consult with a higher education faculty. A majority of the members of the professional development committee shall be composed of classroom teachers. The teacher members shall be selected from a list of names submitted by the bargaining agent, where one exists. In the absence of a bargaining agent, the teachers will elect a list of names to be submitted to the local board of education. At a minimum, once every four (4) years the committee shall include at least one school counselor in its membership.

3. C. The professional development programs adopted may include, but not be limited to:

   1. 1. In-service training programs;
   2. 2. Higher education courses; and

   3. 3. Professional development programs approved by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.

      Programs shall emphasize development of competencies in the core curriculum areas. Each program shall include components on classroom management and student discipline strategies, outreach to parents, guardians or custodians of students, and multicultural education, which all personnel defined as teachers in Section 1-116 of this title shall be required to complete on a periodic basis. Each adopted program shall allow school counselors to receive at least one-third (1/3) of the hours or credit required each year through programs or courses specifically designed for school counselors. Programs shall be submitted for approval to the Board. No school district shall receive state funds for professional development until the program adopted by the local board of education has been approved by the Board.

4. D. Teachers and administrators who have completed professional development courses in their field of instruction or in courses related to obtaining additional professional qualifications and who complete such courses and receive a grade which is equivalent to at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale may be reimbursed by the school district for one-half (1/2) of the general enrollment fees incurred at any institution within The Oklahoma State System for Higher Education. If the teacher or administrator incurs costs pursuant to this section at a private institution of higher education, the person may be reimbursed by the school district for an amount equal to one-half (1/2) of the general enrollment fees incurred at an institution of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education of comparable type.
5. E. If funds are made available specifically for such purpose, teachers who have completed professional development programs approved by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation shall receive a stipend based on the amount of funds allocated. No school district shall receive state funds for teacher stipends until such time as proof of the teacher's attendance and completion of the program has been determined by the State Department of Education.
6. F. Each licensed or certified teacher in this state shall be required by the local board of education to meet the professional development requirements established by the board, or established through the negotiation process. Failure of any teacher to meet local board of education professional development requirements may be grounds for nonrenewal of such teacher's contract by the local board of education. Such failure may also be grounds for nonconsideration of salary increments affecting the teacher.
7. G. The professional development plan shall be submitted to the State Board of Education as provided in Section 3-104.2 et seq. of this title.

Laws 1995, HB 1549, c. 322, § 15, emerg. eff. July 1, 1995; Amended by Laws 1996, HB 2823, c. 350, § 1, emerg. eff. July 1, 1996 (superseding § 7 of SB 1100 of the 2nd Session of the 45th Oklahoma Legislature, which was vetoed by the Governor); Amended by Laws 1997, HB 1467, c. 342, § 1, emerg. eff. June 9, 1997 (repealed by Laws 1998, HB 3348, c. 5, § 29, emerg. eff. March 4, 1998) (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 1997, HB 2017, c. 349, § 5, emerg. eff. July 1, 1997 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 1998, HB 3348, c. 5, § 23, emerg. eff. March 4, 1998 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 2000, HB 2000, c. 289, § 2, emerg. eff. July 1, 2000 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 2003, HB 1151, c. 295, § 2, emerg. eff. July 1, 2003 (superseded document available).