(a) Formation. – One or more schools or school districts, or any combination of these, may form a partnership with one or more institutions of higher education, one or more entities affiliated with an institution of higher education, the West Virginia Department of Education, a regional education service agency, or any combination of these, to provide an alternative program.
(b) Necessary partners. – Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a partnership shall include at least one of the following:
(1) An institution of higher education with an accredited program for the education of professional educators that has been approved by the State Board;