(2) An entity is eligible to sponsor an educator network if the entity:

(a) Is a school district, an education service district, a nonprofit organization, a post-secondary institution of education, a federally recognized tribe of this state or a consortium that is any combination of the entities described in this paragraph;

(b) Has demonstrated the ability to oversee the use of funds in support of professional development, mentoring or other direct supports to educators;

(c) Has demonstrated a commitment to equity-driven policies and practices;

(d) Has the capacity to coordinate services across the region served by the educator network;

(e) Has demonstrated experience in developing and managing partnerships; and

(f) Has, or agrees to establish, a coordinating body for the educator network that includes:

(A) A majority of educators who are based in schools from different grades and content areas and who are reflective of the student demographics of the region served by the educator network; and

(B) Members representing state agencies, school districts, education service districts, early learning providers and professionals, school board members, educator preparation providers, education-focused nonprofit organizations, education-focused philanthropic organizations, professional education associations, community-based education organizations that represent families and students, post-secondary institutions of education and federally recognized tribes of this state.

(3) Each educator network shall:

(a) Establish professional educator priorities that reflect local needs for each school and school district served by the educator network based on professional learning plans submitted by educators;

(b) Ensure equitable access by educators to resources that are distributed through the council;

(c) Pursue state and other funds and resources on behalf of the members of the educator network and the educators served by the educator network; and

(d) Coordinate communications and accountability for resources distributed through the council to educators served by the educator network.

(4) When establishing professional educator priorities that reflect local needs, each educator network shall strive to:

(a) Enhance a culture of leadership and collaborative responsibility that elevates and advances the teaching profession among professionals employed by early learning services, schools serving students in kindergarten through grade 12, education service districts, educator preparation providers, nonprofit organizations, professional associations and community-based organizations.

(b) Enhance access for educators to high-quality professional learning that:

(A) Supports culturally responsive practices;

(B) Is guided by the needs of educators served by the educator network;

(C) Maximizes collaborative leadership among teachers and administrators; and

(D) Reflects professional learning standards.

(c) Strengthen and enhance existing evidence-based practices that improve student achievement and that reflect changing students needs and demographics.

(d) Improve the recruitment, preparation, induction and support of educators at each stage of the educators’ careers.

(e) Enhance leadership and career advancement opportunities for teachers and increase the perspectives of teachers in identifying priorities for funding educator professional learning and educator supports.

(5) Any school district, education service district or post-secondary institution of education that is a member of an educator network may serve as the fiscal agent for the educator network. [2017 c.639 §2]

Note: See second note under 342.940.