(a) Any person certified as a teacher, principal, or guidance counselor pursuant to Code Section 20-2-200 shall have satisfactorily completed coursework of five or more quarter hours, approved by the Professional Standards Commission, in the identification and education of children who have special educational needs or shall have satisfactorily completed an equivalent preparation in a staff development program designed for this purpose, provided such staff development program shall have received prior approval of the commission for that purpose. As used in this subsection, "children who have special educational needs" is defined as gifted children and children who receive educational services under an Individualized Education Plan. Teachers, principals, and guidance counselors who have satisfactorily completed coursework in other states at least comparable with the requirements of this Code section may be certified by the Professional Standards Commission. Those teachers, principals, and guidance counselors of other states, those applicants completing noneducation programs who are otherwise eligible for provisional certification in Georgia, and those teachers with lapsed Georgia teaching certificates who are otherwise eligible for emergency certificates who would be employed and certified in Georgia schools but lack the requirements of this subsection shall have a period of time not to exceed two years from the date of employment to obtain the prescribed training.

(b) Universities and colleges having teacher preparation programs for grades kindergarten through eight shall require, as a part of such teacher preparation requirements, a separate course in health education and a separate course in physical education. The content of the course in health education shall include general knowledge and attitudes in all critical areas of health and shall include drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, and health education. The required course in physical education shall contain knowledge, attitudes, and understanding of how physical activity shall be integrated into the total lifestyle of an individual.

(b.1) Universities and colleges having teacher preparation programs for grades pre-kindergarten through 12 shall require students in such programs to be proficient in computer and other instructional technology applications and skills including understanding desktop computers, their applications, integration with teaching and curriculum, and their utilization for individualized instruction and classroom management. There shall be a test to assess the proficiency of students enrolled in teacher preparation programs in computer and other instructional technology applications and skills.

(c) Each local unit of administration shall be required to provide all professional personnel certificated by the Professional Standards Commission 12 clock hours of in-service or continuing education in each calendar year, or meet requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Such in-service programs shall be developed by the local unit of administration in conjunction with such agencies as regional educational service agencies, colleges and universities, and other appropriate organizations. These programs shall be designed to address identified needs determined by appropriate personnel evaluation instruments. These programs shall also focus on improving the skills of certificated personnel that directly relate to improving student achievement. Records of attendance shall be maintained by local units of administration and shall be monitored by appropriate Department of Education staff.