Public Act 97-08 requires completion of Professional Development Leadership Training (PDLT) by board members. It includes instruction in education and labor law, financial oversight and accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities. In addition, it includes training on Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) evaluations for school board members who will participate in a vote on a dismissal based upon the Optional Alternative Evaluation Dismissal Process. *Applicable only to those board members who were elected after June 13, 2011, and and must be completed within the first year of the board member's first term.

The course that satisfies Public Act 97-504 is entitled “Open Meetings Act Training for Board Members.” 
It focuses specifically on the law as it applies to school board meetings and members.