LAC 28:CXLVII.313. Professional Development

A. LEAs shall provide professional learning to all teachers and administrators, based upon their individual areas of refinement, as measured by the evaluation process. Professional learning opportunities provided by LEAs shall meet the following criteria. 1. Professional learning shall be job-embedded, where appropriate. 2. Professional learning shall target identified individualized areas of growth for teachers and administrators, based on the results of the evaluation process, as well as data gathered through informal observations or site visits, and LEAs shall utilize differentiated resources and levels of support accordingly. 3. Professional learning shall include follow-up engagement with participants, such as feedback on performance, additional supports, and/or progress-monitoring. 4. Professional learning shall include measureable objectives to evaluate its effectiveness, based on improved teacher or administrator practice and growth in student learning. 5. Educators rated Proficient or higher on the previous year evaluation should be afforded greater autonomy in the selection of professional learning. B. Failure by the LEA to provide regular professional learning opportunities to teachers and administrators shall not invalidate any results of the evaluation process. C. Each LEA must conduct an annual needs assessment to determine the effectiveness of its professional learning requirements and program.