Professional development is often a victim of budget reductions in fiscally difficult times.
The Federal Government has a vital role in helping States and local educational agencies to make sustained and intensive high-quality professional development in the core academic subjects become an integral part of the elementary and secondary education system. There is a need for special attention to ensure the effective involvement of parents in the education of their children. Professional development should include methods and strategies to better prepare teachers and, where appropriate, administrators, to enable parents to participate fully and effectively in their children's education. Each activity assisted under this section, where applicable, shall involve the joint effort of the institution of higher education's school or department of education, if any, and the schools or departments in the specific disciplines in which such professional development will be provided. Each institution of higher education receiving a grant under this section may also enter into a partnership with a private industry, museum, library, educational television station, or public or private nonprofit organization of demonstrated experience to carry out professional development activities assisted under this section.