(a)        The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (hereinafter called “NCCAT”), through itself or agencies with which it may contract, shall:

(1)        Provide career teachers with opportunities to study advanced topics in the sciences, arts, and humanities and to engage in informed discourse, assisted by able mentors and outstanding leaders from all walks of life; and

(2)        Offer opportunities for teachers to engage in scholarly pursuits through a center dedicated exclusively to the advancement of teaching as an art and as a profession.

(b)        Priority for admission to NCCAT opportunities shall be given to teachers with teaching experience of 15 years or less.

(c)        NCCAT may also provide training and support for beginning teachers to enhance their skills and in support of the State‘s effort to recruit and retain beginning teachers.

(d)       The Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching shall hold all the powers and duties necessary or appropriate for the effective discharge of the functions of NCCAT.

(e)        The Executive Director shall submit a copy of the NCCAT annual report to the Chair of the State Board of Education at the time of issuance. ?(1985, c. 479, s. 74; 2006-66, s. 9.15(a); 2009-451, ss. 9.13(b), (c).)