Florida Senate - 2017                                    SB 1598
       
       
        
       By Senator Brandes
       
       
       
       
       
       24-01290-17                                           20171598__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to education; creating s. 1003.631,
    3         F.S.; creating the Schools of Excellence Program;
    4         providing for designation as a School of Excellence;
    5         providing requirements for a School of Excellence;
    6         providing for redesignation; authorizing Schools of
    7         Excellence to have specified administrative
    8         flexibilities; authorizing certain teachers to earn a
    9         professional certificate by completing a specified
   10         program; amending s. 1012.28, F.S.; providing
   11         additional authority and responsibilities to the
   12         principal of a School of Excellence; providing that
   13         newly assigned principals of certain schools must be
   14         provided specified authority and responsibilities;
   15         amending s. 1012.56, F.S.; providing that successful
   16         completion of a specified program demonstrates mastery
   17         of certain skills; revising the criteria instructional
   18         personnel must meet to be issued a professional
   19         certificate; providing that an applicant for
   20         professional certification is not required to take or
   21         pass a specified examination under certain
   22         circumstances; providing requirements for the
   23         development and implementation of a comprehensive
   24         teacher mentorship certification program; providing
   25         the purpose of the program; requiring the Department
   26         of Education to adopt standards for the approval of
   27         district-developed programs; providing requirements
   28         for such standards; providing program requirements;
   29         providing peer mentor requirements; amending s.
   30         1012.585, F.S.; providing that instructional personnel
   31         may substitute 1 year of specified employment for a
   32         certain amount of inservice points within a certain
   33         cycle for certificate renewal; providing such
   34         employment does not satisfy a specified credit hour
   35         requirement; amending s. 1012.98, F.S.; revising the
   36         activities designed to implement the School Community
   37         Professional Development Act to include specified
   38         training relating to the comprehensive teacher
   39         mentorship program; revising requirements for school
   40         district professional development systems; requiring
   41         the department to disseminate professional development
   42         programs that meet specified criteria; providing an
   43         effective date.
   44          
   45  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   46  
   47         Section 1. Section 1003.631, Florida Statutes, is created
   48  to read:
   49         1003.631Schools of Excellence.—The Schools of Excellence
   50  Program is established to provide administrative flexibility to
   51  the state’s top schools so that the instructional personnel and
   52  administrative staff at such schools can continue to serve their
   53  communities and increase student learning to the best of their
   54  professional ability.
   55         (1)DESIGNATION.—
   56         (a)The State Board of Education shall designate a school
   57  as a School of Excellence if the school’s percentage of possible
   58  points earned in its school grade calculation is in the 80th
   59  percentile or higher for schools comprised of the same grade
   60  groupings, including elementary schools, middle schools, high
   61  schools, and schools with a combination of grade levels, for at
   62  least 2 of the last 3 school years. The school must have data
   63  for each applicable school grade component pursuant to s.
   64  1008.34(3) to be eligible for designation as a School of
   65  Excellence. A qualifying school shall retain the designation as
   66  a School of Excellence for up to 3 years, at the end of which
   67  time the school may renew the designation, if:
   68         1.The school was in the 80th percentile or higher pursuant
   69  to this subsection for 2 of the previous 3 years; and
   70         2.The school did not receive a school grade lower than “B”
   71  pursuant to s. 1008.34 during any of the previous 3 years.
   72         (b)A school that earns a school grade lower than “B”
   73  pursuant to s. 1008.34 during the 3-year period may not continue
   74  to be designated as a School of Excellence during the remainder
   75  of that 3-year period and loses the administrative flexibilities
   76  provided in subsection (2).
   77         (2)ADMINISTRATIVE FLEXIBILITIES.—A School of Excellence
   78  must be provided the following administrative flexibilities:
   79         (a)Exemption from any provision of law or rule that
   80  expressly requires a minimum period of daily or weekly
   81  instruction in a specified subject area.
   82         (b)Principal autonomy as provided under s. 1012.28(8).
   83         (c)For instructional personnel, the substitution of 1
   84  school year of employment at a School of Excellence for 20
   85  inservice points toward the renewal of a professional
   86  certificate, up to 60 inservice points in a 5-year cycle,
   87  pursuant to s. 1012.585(3).
   88         (d)Exemption from compliance with district policies or
   89  procedures that establish times for the start and completion of
   90  the school day.
   91         (3)TEACHER CERTIFICATION.—A temporary certificateholder
   92  under s. 1012.56(7)(b) who is employed by a School of Excellence
   93  may earn a professional certificate by meeting the requirements
   94  of s. 1012.56(7)(a)3.
   95         Section 2. Subsection (8) of section 1012.28, Florida
   96  Statutes, is amended, and subsection (9) is added to that
   97  section, to read:
   98         1012.28 Public school personnel; duties of school
   99  principals.—
  100         (8) The principal of a School of Excellence or a school
  101  participating in the Principal Autonomy Pilot Program Initiative
  102  under s. 1011.6202 has the following additional authority and
  103  responsibilities:
  104         (a) In addition to the authority provided in subsection
  105  (6), the authority to select qualified instructional personnel
  106  for placement or to refuse to accept the placement or transfer
  107  of instructional personnel by the district school
  108  superintendent. Placement of instructional personnel at a
  109  participating school in a participating school district does not
  110  affect the employee’s status as a school district employee.
  111         (b) The authority to deploy financial resources to school
  112  programs at the principal’s discretion to help improve student
  113  achievement, as defined in s. 1008.34(1), and meet performance
  114  goals identified in the principal autonomy proposal submitted
  115  pursuant to s. 1011.6202.
  116         (c) To annually provide to the district school
  117  superintendent and the district school board a budget for the
  118  operation of the participating school that identifies how funds
  119  provided pursuant to s. 1011.69(2) are allocated. The school
  120  district shall include the budget in the annual report provided
  121  to the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 1011.6202(6).
  122         (9)A school district must provide a principal newly
  123  assigned to a school with a school grade of “D” or “F” under s.
  124  1008.34 with the additional authority and responsibilities
  125  provided in subsection (8). The district may revoke the
  126  principal’s additional authority and responsibilities under this
  127  subsection after the school year following the first school year
  128  the school achieves a school grade of “C” or higher.
  129         Section 3. Subsection (6), paragraph (a) of subsection (7),
  130  and paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of section 1012.56, Florida
  131  Statutes, are amended to read:
  132         1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
  133         (6) MASTERY OF PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION AND EDUCATION
  134  COMPETENCE.—Acceptable means of demonstrating mastery of
  135  professional preparation and education competence are:
  136         (a) Successful completion of an approved teacher
  137  preparation program at a postsecondary educational institution
  138  within this state and achievement of a passing score on the
  139  professional education competency examination required by state
  140  board rule;
  141         (b) Successful completion of a teacher preparation program
  142  at a postsecondary educational institution outside Florida and
  143  achievement of a passing score on the professional education
  144  competency examination required by state board rule;
  145         (c) Documentation of a valid professional standard teaching
  146  certificate issued by another state;
  147         (d) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the
  148  National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national
  149  educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of
  150  Education;
  151         (e) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time
  152  or part-time teaching in a Florida College System institution,
  153  state university, or private college or university that awards
  154  an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution
  155  or an institution of higher education identified by the
  156  Department of Education as having a quality program and
  157  achievement of a passing score on the professional education
  158  competency examination required by state board rule;
  159         (f) Successful completion of professional preparation
  160  courses as specified in state board rule, successful completion
  161  of a professional preparation and education competence program
  162  pursuant to paragraph (8)(b), and achievement of a passing score
  163  on the professional education competency examination required by
  164  state board rule;
  165         (g) Successful completion of a comprehensive teacher
  166  mentorship certification professional development certification
  167  and education competency program pursuant to, outlined in
  168  paragraph (8)(a); or
  169         (h) Successful completion of a competency-based
  170  certification program pursuant to s. 1004.85 and achievement of
  171  a passing score on the professional education competency
  172  examination required by rule of the State Board of Education.
  173  
  174  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this
  175  subsection by December 31, 2014, including rules to approve
  176  specific teacher preparation programs that are not identified in
  177  this subsection which may be used to meet requirements for
  178  mastery of professional preparation and education competence.
  179         (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—
  180         (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional
  181  certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant
  182  who fulfills one of the following:
  183         1. Meets all the requirements outlined in subsection (2).
  184         2.or, For a professional certificate covering grades 6
  185  through 12, any applicant who:
  186         a.1. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h).
  187         b.2. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of
  188  science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
  189         c.3. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the
  190  advanced degree.
  191         d.4. Is rated highly effective as determined by the
  192  teacher’s performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part
  193  on student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized
  194  assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International
  195  Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate
  196  examination.
  197         e.5. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional
  198  education competency examination required by state board rule.
  199         3.Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h) and
  200  completes a comprehensive teacher mentorship certification
  201  program pursuant to paragraph (8)(a). An applicant who completes
  202  the program and is rated highly effective as determined by his
  203  or her performance evaluation under s. 1012.34 is not required
  204  to take or achieve a passing score on the professional education
  205  competency examination in order to be awarded a professional
  206  certificate.
  207  
  208  Each temporary certificate is valid for 3 school fiscal years
  209  and is nonrenewable. However, the requirement in paragraph
  210  (2)(g) must be met within 1 calendar year of the date of
  211  employment under the temporary certificate. Individuals who are
  212  employed under contract at the end of the 1 calendar year time
  213  period may continue to be employed through the end of the school
  214  year in which they have been contracted. A school district shall
  215  not employ, or continue the employment of, an individual in a
  216  position for which a temporary certificate is required beyond
  217  this time period if the individual has not met the requirement
  218  of paragraph (2)(g). The State Board of Education shall adopt
  219  rules to allow the department to extend the validity period of a
  220  temporary certificate for 2 years when the requirements for the
  221  professional certificate, not including the requirement in
  222  paragraph (2)(g), were not completed due to the serious illness
  223  or injury of the applicant or other extraordinary extenuating
  224  circumstances. The department shall reissue the temporary
  225  certificate for 2 additional years upon approval by the
  226  Commissioner of Education. A written request for reissuance of
  227  the certificate shall be submitted by the district school
  228  superintendent, the governing authority of a university lab
  229  school, the governing authority of a state-supported school, or
  230  the governing authority of a private school.
  231         (8) COMPREHENSIVE TEACHER MENTORSHIP CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
  232  PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATION COMPETENCY
  233  PROGRAM.—
  234         (a) The Department of Education shall develop and each
  235  school district may provide a cohesive competency-based,
  236  comprehensive teacher mentorship certification professional
  237  development certification and education competency program. The
  238  purpose of the program is to provide by which members of a
  239  school district’s instructional staff supportive induction
  240  services through which they can demonstrate may satisfy the
  241  mastery of professional preparation and education competence
  242  requirements consistent with specified in subsection (6) and
  243  rules of the State Board of Education. Participants must hold a
  244  state-issued temporary certificate. A school district that
  245  implements the program shall provide a competency-based
  246  certification program developed by the Department of Education
  247  or developed by the district and approved by the Department of
  248  Education. The department shall adopt standards for the approval
  249  of district-developed comprehensive teacher mentorship
  250  certification programs, including program administration and
  251  evaluation; mentor roles, selection, and training; beginning
  252  teacher assessment and professional development; and
  253  instructional practices aligned to the Florida Educator
  254  Accomplished Practices. The program shall include the following:
  255         1. A minimum period of initial preparation before assuming
  256  duties as the teacher of record.
  257         2. An option for collaboration between school districts and
  258  other supporting agencies or educational entities for
  259  implementation.
  260         3. An experienced peer-mentor component. Each individual
  261  selected by the district as a peer mentor:
  262         a. Must hold a valid professional certificate issued
  263  pursuant to this section;,
  264         b. Must have earned at least 3 years of teaching experience
  265  in prekindergarten through grade 12;, and
  266         c. Must have completed specialized training in clinical
  267  supervision and participate in ongoing mentor training;
  268         d.Must have earned an effective or highly effective rating
  269  on the prior year’s performance evaluation under s. 1012.34; and
  270         e.May or be a peer evaluator under the district’s
  271  evaluation system approved under s. 1012.34.
  272         4.Weekly opportunities for mentoring activities that
  273  include, at a minimum, common planning time, ongoing
  274  professional development targeted to a teacher’s needs,
  275  opportunities for a teacher to observe other teachers, co
  276  teaching experiences, and reflection and follow-up discussions.
  277  Mentorship activities must be provided for a teacher’s first
  278  year in the program and may be provided until the teacher
  279  attains his or her professional certificate in accordance with
  280  this section.
  281         5.4. An assessment of teaching performance aligned to the
  282  district’s system for personnel evaluation under s. 1012.34
  283  which provides for:
  284         a. An initial evaluation of each educator’s competencies to
  285  determine an appropriate individualized professional development
  286  plan.
  287         b. A summative evaluation to assure successful completion
  288  of the program.
  289         6.5.Competency-based training on professional education
  290  preparation content knowledge that includes, but is not limited
  291  to, the following:
  292         a. The state standards provided under s. 1003.41, including
  293  scientifically based reading instruction, content literacy, and
  294  mathematical practices, for each subject identified on the
  295  temporary certificate.
  296         b. The educator-accomplished practices approved by the
  297  state board.
  298         c. A variety of data indicators for monitoring student
  299  progress.
  300         d. Methodologies for teaching students with disabilities.
  301         e. Methodologies for teaching students of limited English
  302  proficiency appropriate for each subject area identified on the
  303  temporary certificate.
  304         f. Techniques and strategies for operationalizing the role
  305  of the teacher in assuring a safe learning environment for
  306  students.
  307         7.6. Required achievement of passing scores on the subject
  308  area and professional education competency examination required
  309  by State Board of Education rule. Mastery of general knowledge
  310  must be demonstrated as described in subsection (3).
  311         Section 4. Subsection (3) and paragraph (b) of subsection
  312  (5) of section 1012.585, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  313         1012.585 Process for renewal of professional certificates.—
  314         (3) For the renewal of a professional certificate, the
  315  following requirements must be met:
  316         (a) The applicant must earn a minimum of 6 college credits
  317  or 120 inservice points or a combination thereof. For each area
  318  of specialization to be retained on a certificate, the applicant
  319  must earn at least 3 of the required credit hours or equivalent
  320  inservice points in the specialization area. Education in
  321  “clinical educator” training pursuant to s. 1004.04(5)(b) and
  322  credits or points that provide training in the area of
  323  scientifically researched, knowledge-based reading literacy and
  324  computational skills acquisition, exceptional student education,
  325  normal child development, and the disorders of development may
  326  be applied toward any specialization area. Credits or points
  327  that provide training in the areas of drug abuse, child abuse
  328  and neglect, strategies in teaching students having limited
  329  proficiency in English, or dropout prevention, or training in
  330  areas identified in the educational goals and performance
  331  standards adopted pursuant to ss. 1000.03(5) and 1008.345 may be
  332  applied toward any specialization area. Credits or points earned
  333  through approved summer institutes may be applied toward the
  334  fulfillment of these requirements. Inservice points may also be
  335  earned by participation in professional growth components
  336  approved by the State Board of Education and specified pursuant
  337  to s. 1012.98 in the district’s approved master plan for
  338  inservice educational training, including, but not limited to,
  339  serving as a trainer in an approved teacher training activity,
  340  serving on an instructional materials committee or a state board
  341  or commission that deals with educational issues, or serving on
  342  an advisory council created pursuant to s. 1001.452.
  343         (b) In lieu of college course credit or inservice points,
  344  the applicant may renew a subject area specialization by passage
  345  of a state board approved Florida-developed subject area
  346  examination or, if a Florida subject area examination has not
  347  been developed, a standardized examination specified in state
  348  board rule.
  349         (c)Instructional personnel may substitute 1 school year of
  350  employment at a School of Excellence, as defined in s. 1003.631,
  351  for 20 inservice points, up to a maximum of 60 inservice points
  352  in a 5-year cycle. However, inservice points earned under this
  353  paragraph may not be used to satisfy the 3 credit hour
  354  specialization area requirement under paragraph (a).
  355         (d)(c) If an applicant wishes to retain more than two
  356  specialization areas on the certificate, the applicant shall be
  357  permitted two successive validity periods for renewal of all
  358  specialization areas, but must earn no fewer than 6 college
  359  course credit hours or the equivalent in any one validity
  360  period.
  361         (e)(d) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for
  362  the expanded use of training for renewal of the professional
  363  certificate for educators who are required to complete training
  364  in teaching students of limited English proficiency or students
  365  with disabilities and training in the teaching of reading as
  366  follows:
  367         1. A teacher who holds a professional certificate may use
  368  college credits or inservice points earned through training in
  369  teaching students of limited English proficiency or students
  370  with disabilities and training in the teaching of reading in
  371  excess of 6 semester hours during one certificate-validity
  372  period toward renewal of the professional certificate during the
  373  subsequent validity periods.
  374         2. A teacher who holds a temporary certificate may use
  375  college credits or inservice points earned through training in
  376  teaching students of limited English proficiency or students
  377  with disabilities and training in the teaching of reading toward
  378  renewal of the teacher’s first professional certificate. Such
  379  training must not have been included within the degree program,
  380  and the teacher’s temporary and professional certificates must
  381  be issued for consecutive school years.
  382         (f)(e) Beginning July 1, 2014, an applicant for renewal of
  383  a professional certificate must earn a minimum of one college
  384  credit or the equivalent inservice points in the area of
  385  instruction for teaching students with disabilities. The
  386  requirement in this paragraph may not add to the total hours
  387  required by the department for continuing education or inservice
  388  training.
  389         (5) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to allow
  390  the reinstatement of expired professional certificates. The
  391  department may reinstate an expired professional certificate if
  392  the certificateholder:
  393         (b) Documents completion of 6 college credits during the 5
  394  years immediately preceding reinstatement of the expired
  395  certificate, completion of 120 inservice points, or a
  396  combination thereof, in an area specified in paragraph (3)(a) to
  397  include the credit required under paragraph (3)(f) (3)(e).
  398  
  399  The requirements of this subsection may not be satisfied by
  400  subject area examinations or college credits completed for
  401  issuance of the certificate that has expired.
  402         Section 5. Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (3) of
  403  section 1012.98, Florida Statutes, and paragraph (b) of
  404  subsection (4) and subsections (10) and (11) of that section are
  405  amended, to read:
  406         1012.98 School Community Professional Development Act.—
  407         (3) The activities designed to implement this section must:
  408         (e)Provide training to teacher mentors as part of the
  409  comprehensive teacher mentorship certification program under s.
  410  1012.56(8)(a). The training must include components on teacher
  411  development, peer coaching, time management, and other related
  412  topics as determined by the Department of Education.
  413         (4) The Department of Education, school districts, schools,
  414  Florida College System institutions, and state universities
  415  share the responsibilities described in this section. These
  416  responsibilities include the following:
  417         (b) Each school district shall develop a professional
  418  development system as specified in subsection (3). The system
  419  shall be developed in consultation with teachers, teacher
  420  educators of Florida College System institutions and state
  421  universities, business and community representatives, and local
  422  education foundations, consortia, and professional
  423  organizations. The professional development system must:
  424         1. Be approved by the department. All substantial revisions
  425  to the system shall be submitted to the department for review
  426  for continued approval.
  427         2. Be based on analyses of student achievement data and
  428  instructional strategies and methods that support rigorous,
  429  relevant, and challenging curricula for all students. Schools
  430  and districts, in developing and refining the professional
  431  development system, shall also review and monitor school
  432  discipline data; school environment surveys; assessments of
  433  parental satisfaction; performance appraisal data of teachers,
  434  managers, and administrative personnel; and other performance
  435  indicators to identify school and student needs that can be met
  436  by improved professional performance.
  437         3. Provide inservice activities coupled with followup
  438  support appropriate to accomplish district-level and school
  439  level improvement goals and standards. The inservice activities
  440  for instructional personnel shall focus on analysis of student
  441  achievement data, ongoing formal and informal assessments of
  442  student achievement, identification and use of enhanced and
  443  differentiated instructional strategies that emphasize rigor,
  444  relevance, and reading in the content areas, enhancement of
  445  subject content expertise, integrated use of classroom
  446  technology that enhances teaching and learning, classroom
  447  management, parent involvement, and school safety.
  448         4.Provide inservice activities and support targeted to the
  449  individual needs of new teachers participating in a
  450  comprehensive teacher mentor certification program pursuant to
  451  s. 1012.56(8)(a).
  452         5.4. Include a master plan for inservice activities,
  453  pursuant to rules of the State Board of Education, for all
  454  district employees from all fund sources. The master plan shall
  455  be updated annually by September 1, must be based on input from
  456  teachers and district and school instructional leaders, and must
  457  use the latest available student achievement data and research
  458  to enhance rigor and relevance in the classroom. Each district
  459  inservice plan must be aligned to and support the school-based
  460  inservice plans and school improvement plans pursuant to s.
  461  1001.42(18). Each district inservice plan must provide a
  462  description of the training that middle grades instructional
  463  personnel and school administrators receive on the district’s
  464  code of student conduct adopted pursuant to s. 1006.07;
  465  integrated digital instruction and competency-based instruction
  466  and CAPE Digital Tool certificates and CAPE industry
  467  certifications; classroom management; student behavior and
  468  interaction; extended learning opportunities for students; and
  469  instructional leadership. District plans must be approved by the
  470  district school board annually in order to ensure compliance
  471  with subsection (1) and to allow for dissemination of research
  472  based best practices to other districts. District school boards
  473  must submit verification of their approval to the Commissioner
  474  of Education no later than October 1, annually. Each school
  475  principal may establish and maintain an individual professional
  476  development plan for each instructional employee assigned to the
  477  school as a seamless component to the school improvement plans
  478  developed pursuant to s. 1001.42(18). An individual professional
  479  development plan must be related to specific performance data
  480  for the students to whom the teacher is assigned, define the
  481  inservice objectives and specific measurable improvements
  482  expected in student performance as a result of the inservice
  483  activity, and include an evaluation component that determines
  484  the effectiveness of the professional development plan.
  485         6.5. Include inservice activities for school administrative
  486  personnel that address updated skills necessary for
  487  instructional leadership and effective school management
  488  pursuant to s. 1012.986.
  489         7.6. Provide for systematic consultation with regional and
  490  state personnel designated to provide technical assistance and
  491  evaluation of local professional development programs.
  492         8.7. Provide for delivery of professional development by
  493  distance learning and other technology-based delivery systems to
  494  reach more educators at lower costs.
  495         9.8. Provide for the continuous evaluation of the quality
  496  and effectiveness of professional development programs in order
  497  to eliminate ineffective programs and strategies and to expand
  498  effective ones. Evaluations must consider the impact of such
  499  activities on the performance of participating educators and
  500  their students’ achievement and behavior.
  501         10.9. For middle grades, emphasize:
  502         a. Interdisciplinary planning, collaboration, and
  503  instruction.
  504         b. Alignment of curriculum and instructional materials to
  505  the state academic standards adopted pursuant to s. 1003.41.
  506         c. Use of small learning communities; problem-solving,
  507  inquiry-driven research and analytical approaches for students;
  508  strategies and tools based on student needs; competency-based
  509  instruction; integrated digital instruction; and project-based
  510  instruction.
  511  
  512  Each school that includes any of grades 6, 7, or 8 must include
  513  in its school improvement plan, required under s. 1001.42(18), a
  514  description of the specific strategies used by the school to
  515  implement each item listed in this subparagraph.
  516         (10) For instructional personnel and administrative
  517  personnel who have been evaluated as less than effective, a
  518  district school board shall require participation in specific
  519  professional development programs as provided in subparagraph
  520  (4)(b)5. (4)(b)4. as part of the improvement prescription.
  521         (11) The department shall disseminate to the school
  522  community proven model professional development programs that
  523  have demonstrated success in increasing rigorous and relevant
  524  content, increasing student achievement and engagement, and
  525  meeting identified student needs, and providing effective
  526  mentorship activities to new teachers and training to teacher
  527  mentors. The methods of dissemination must include a web-based
  528  statewide performance-support system including a database of
  529  exemplary professional development activities, a listing of
  530  available professional development resources, training programs,
  531  and available technical assistance.
  532         Section 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017.