GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 287

Short Title:  GPAC-School Staff Development.	(Public)
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Sponsors: (by request) Representatives Blue, Barnes, Diamont, Hackney, Hensley, H. Hunter, G. Miller, Nesbitt, and Robinson.
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Referred to:  Education.
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February 25, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO IMPLEMENT A RECOMMENDATION OF THE GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AUDIT COMMITTEE REGARDING PUBLIC SCHOOL STAFF DEVELOPMENT.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
––-REORG. DPI STAFF DEV. FUNCTION.
Section 1.  (a)	The General Assembly finds that:
(1)	Many principal training activities are provided to individuals that do not currently hold principal positions or are not expected to hold principal positions in the near future;
(2)	Principal turnover is relatively low and not expected to increase for five years when many principals will reach retirement age;
(3)	The process for selecting potential principals for training may not identify the best individuals for future openings.  Participants for training classes are currently nominated by local school administrative units; and
(4)	Other independent organizations in the State also provide training for principals and may do a better job of teaching classes than does the Department;
therefore, the Staff Development function at the Department of Public Instruction for principals is eliminated.  Staff Development shall be restructured to coordinate all staff development activities offered to local school administrative units.  The restructured Staff Development area shall be staffed by one professional position and one clerical position.
The Department shall encourage and develop a better working relationship with outside organizations that provide courses to meet training needs in areas such as principal development.
(b)	The base budget of the Department of Public Instruction is reduced by six hundred three thousand three hundred eighty dollars ($603,380) for the 1993-94 fiscal year and six hundred three thousand three hundred eighty dollars ($603,380) for the 1994-95 fiscal year due to the decrease in personnel positions required by Section 1 of this section.
(c)	This section becomes effective July 1, 1993.
––-TEACHER STAFF DEVELOPMENT.
Sec. 2.  (a)	The State Board of Education shall develop a strategic plan for teacher staff development that identifies the types of training that are necessary at each level to achieve the desired changes in teacher activities.  The plan shall address identified needs, goals and objectives, strategies, performance measurements, implementation plans, and cost benefit analyses.
The State Board shall also determine the cost of achieving the desired results.
The State Board shall report prior to March 15, 1994, to the Joint Education Oversight Committee on the strategic plan that it develops.
(b)	This section is effective upon ratification.
––-SCHOOL STAFF DEV. GROUP.
Sec. 3.  (a)	The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall establish a staff development advisory group to provide recommendations regarding staff development needs.  The group shall consist of eight to twelve representatives of local school administrative units, including small units and units served by each of the technical assistance centers.  The Superintendent shall provide Department personnel to assist the advisory group in its work.  Based on the recommendations of the advisory group, the Superintendent shall set staff development priorities and communicate those priorities to the local school administrative units.
(b)	This section is effective upon ratification.
––-TEACHER STAFF DEVELOPMENT.
Sec. 4.  (a)	The Department of Public Instruction shall evaluate the use of existing and planned telecommunications and long-distance learning systems for teacher staff development to limit expenditures for travel and associated costs.  This study shall also evaluate the use of alternative delivery systems such as courses offered through the community colleges and university departments of education.  The Department shall report the results of its study to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee prior to March 15, 1994.
(b)	This section is effective upon ratification.