Teacher professional development; number of days; professional development provided by state-approved nonpublic school.

Sec. 1527. (1) The board of each school district, intermediate school district, or public school academy shall provide at least 5 days of teacher professional development each school year. (2) A state-approved nonpublic school may provide teacher professional development for nonpublic school teachers. The department shall credit this professional development toward the issuance or renewal of a teaching certificate or endorsement to the same extent as professional development provided by a public school is credited for its teachers for those purposes if the department determines that all of the following are met: (a) The professional development provides substantially the same program content as professional development provided by a public school that is credited by the department toward the issuance or renewal of a teaching certificate or endorsement. (b) The nonpublic school submits to the same auditing and documentation requirements for professional development as a public school. (3) Professional development days provided under this section shall not be counted toward the professional development required under section 1526.