Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly hereby finds that: (a) There is a high correlation between student success and excellent teaching; (b) While educator preparation programs offered by institutions of higher education may provide candidates with the basic knowledge necessary to enter the classroom, ongoing development through school-based, skills-development activities is necessary to enable educators to develop excellent teaching skills; (c) In-service training programs and similar forms of off-site course work are often unable to provide the kind of skill development needed; (d) Working collaboratively as colleagues to review assignments, student work, curriculum, and teaching methodology has been proven successful in enabling teachers to determine whether all of these facets of teaching in combination successfully provide the information students need to master reading, writing, mathematics, and science, as indicated by high achievement levels on assessments. (2) Based on the findings specified in subsection (1) of this section, the general assembly hereby finds that it is necessary to provide grants pursuant to this part 7 to assist schools in providing opportunities for teachers to participate in school-based skills-development activities that are focused on mastering skills in instructing students in reading, writing, mathematics, and science.