Section 44631.

It is the intent of the Legislature that professional development and program improvement centers be established throughout the state to offer comprehensive in-service training programs to strengthen the instructional techniques of classroom teachers in kindergarten and grades 1 through 12, inclusive. It is also the intention of the Legislature that the professional development and program improvement centers may provide staff development activities pursuant to a systematic assessment of pupil and personnel needs, including needs of pupils who have not mastered basic reading, writing, and mathematic skills, improve the teacher's skills in diagnosing learning disabilities of pupils, and develop corrective programs of instruction. It is the further intention of the Legislature that the center include the principal and other school administrative personnel in the training program.

It is also the intention of the Legislature that in sparsely populated areas, involving long distances, in which the establishment of professional development and program improvement centers is not feasible, the in-service teacher training shall be provided under joint programs between school districts and county superintendents of schools to strengthen the instructional techniques of classroom teachers in kindergarten and grades 1 through 12.

It is the further intention of the Legislature that all district, state, and federal resources related to teacher training be integrated and coordinated with in-service training programs established by this article in order to improve the educational achievement of pupils enrolled in both categorical aid programs and regular instructional programs.

(Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 1136, Sec. 4.)