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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 203
BY SENATOR WALSWORTH
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Department of Education to study and make recommendations
regarding the current procedures and practices for providing professional
development to teachers.
WHEREAS, professional development has been defined as "the process of improving
staff skills and competencies needed to produce outstanding educational results for
students"; and
WHEREAS, professional development is the primary strategy schools and school
districts utilize to ensure that educators continue to strengthen their instructional and
classroom management skills throughout their career; and
WHEREAS, the most effective professional development engages teams of teachers
who help each other learn and problem solve together to promote student success and attain
higher professional skills; and
WHEREAS, policy makers at the state and local level have a responsibility to
provide meaningful opportunities for teachers to engage in continuous professional learning
and apply that learning in a manner that increases student academic achievement; and
WHEREAS, House Bill No. 1129 of the 2012 Regular Session sought to establish
a framework through which to provide comprehensive professional development to teachers
at all stages of their career; and
WHEREAS, an examination of the state's current policies, practices, and activities
for the provision of professional development to teachers in light of that proposed by House
Bill No. 1129 might prove useful going forward.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the state Department of Education to study and make
recommendations regarding the current procedures and practices for providing professional
development to teachers. SR NO. 203 ENROLLED
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state Department of Education shall seek the
input of the following in conducting the study:
(1) The Louisiana Association of Educators.
(2) The Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
(3) The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana.
(4) The Louisiana School Boards Association.
(5) The Louisiana Association of Principals.
(6) The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents.
(7) The Council for a Better Louisiana.
(8) The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.
(9) Stand for Children Louisiana.
(10) Any other education stakeholder the state superintendent of education
wishes to include.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department submit a written report of its
findings to the Senate and House committees on education not later than March 1, 2015.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
state superintendent of education.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE