19 TAC §153.1011
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) proposes new §153.1011,
concerning beginning teacher induction and mentoring program. The proposed
new section would implement the requirements of the Texas Education Code (TEC), §21.458,
Mentors, as added by House Bill 1, 79th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session,
2006, that requires the commissioner of education to adopt rules for the administration
of the mentor program for beginning teachers.
The TEC, §21.458, requires the commissioner of education to adopt
rules to administer mentoring programs designed to increase retention of beginning
teachers. The statute directs the commissioner to adopt rules addressing qualifications
of a mentor and uses for mentor program funding. In adopting these rules,
the commissioner is to rely on research-based mentoring programs that have
demonstrated success.
In accordance with the TEC, §21.458, the proposed new 19 TAC §153.1011
would establish definitions and provisions relating to the beginning teacher
induction and mentoring program, including program implementation and the
qualifications, assignment, and duties of a mentor teacher. The proposed new
rule would specify provisions for the allocation and use of mentor program
funding, allow for the TEA to audit mentor program funds, and require each
district providing a program to submit progress reports to the commissioner
within a specified period and in a prescribed manner.
Grantees must agree to submit all information requested by the TEA through
periodic activity/progress reports and a final evaluation report. Reports
will be due to the TEA no later than 30 days after the close of the reporting
period and must contain all requested information in the prescribed format.
These reports will be used by the project administrator to evaluate the implementation
and progress of grant-funded programs and to determine if modifications or
adjustments to the program are necessary.
Lee Ann Dumas, director for educator excellence, has determined that for
the first five-year period the new section is in effect there will be no fiscal
implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering
the new section. Although the proposed new rule itself offers no fiscal impact,
the eventual adoption would allow the TEA to fund grant awards based on the
number of new teachers at eligible campuses following a competitive grant
process, as authorized by the 79th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session,
2006. The total amount of general revenue available for award is $15 million.
In addition, $6,288 in personnel costs, which is 10% of one agency staff member's
time that will be spent on managing the program, is an estimated expenditure
for the state during fiscal year 2007.
The General Appropriations Act, House Bill 1, 79th Texas Legislature, Third
Called Session, 2006, does not authorize funding beyond fiscal year 2007 for
the grant program implemented under the proposed rule. Any fiscal impact in
fiscal years beyond fiscal year 2007 would be contingent upon the action of
the Texas Legislature in future sessions.
The beginning teacher induction and mentoring program is optional for local
school districts. All school districts are eligible for the program funds
and must apply to participate in the beginning teacher induction and mentoring
program. Some school districts provide mentoring programs for beginning teachers
and receive no state funds for these programs. This program could provide
additional state funding to implement induction and mentoring programs in
school districts. At this time, it cannot be determined the number of school
districts that will participate and the number of teachers to be served to
estimate possible cost expenditures or savings.
It is estimated that minimal staff time will be required to review, evaluate,
and approve applications. Districts may also choose to subcontract with regional
education service centers to provide mentor training for mentor teachers.
Ms. Dumas has determined that for each year of the first five years the
new section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing
the new section will be the positive impact the program will have in increasing
the potential for student performance through instruction provided by high-quality
teachers. The public will realize a benefit of having increasingly better
prepared classroom teachers to teach students. There will be no effect on
small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are
required to comply with the proposed new section.
The public comment period on the proposal begins March 9, 2007, and ends
April 8, 2007. Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Cristina De La
Fuente-Valadez, Policy Coordination Division, Texas Education Agency, 1701
North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 475-1497. Comments may also
be submitted electronically to
rules@tea.state.tx.us
or faxed to (512) 463-0028. All requests for a public hearing on the
proposed new section submitted under the Administrative Procedure Act must
be received by the commissioner of education not more than 15 calendar days
after notice of the proposal has been published in the
Texas Register.
The new section is proposed under the Texas Education Code, §21.458,
which requires the commissioner of education to adopt rules necessary to administer
the mentor program, including rules concerning the duties and qualifications
of a teacher who serves as a mentor.
The new section implements the Texas Education Code, §21.458.
§153.1011.Beginning Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program.
(a)
Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in
this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise.
(1)
Agency--Texas Education Agency.
(2)
Beginning teacher--A classroom teacher who has less than
two years of teaching experience.
(3)
Beginning Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program--An annual
grant program established in accordance with the Texas Education Code (TEC), §21.458,
under which a school district may receive funds to establish a mentoring program
at each eligible campus where a mentor teacher is assigned to each classroom
teacher who has less than two years of teaching experience.
(4)
Classroom teacher--An educator who is employed by a school
district and who, not less than an average of four hours each day, teaches
in an academic instructional setting or a career and technology instructional
setting. The term does not include a teacher's aide or a full-time administrator.
(A)
For a school district, a classroom teacher, as defined
in this subsection, must hold an appropriate certificate issued by the State
Board for Educator Certification and must meet the specifications regarding
instructional duties defined in this paragraph.
(B)
For a charter school, a classroom teacher is not required
to be certified but must meet the qualifications of the employing charter
school and the specifications regarding instructional duties defined in this
paragraph.
(5)
Commissioner--Commissioner of education.
(6)
Mentor teacher--A classroom teacher in Texas who provides
effective support to help beginning teachers successfully transition into
the teaching profession.
(7)
School district--For the purposes of this section, the
definition of school district includes open-enrollment charter school.
(8)
School district board of trustees--For the purposes of
this section, the definition of a school district board of trustees includes
a charter holder board.
(b)
Program implementation. A beginning teacher induction and
mentoring program must be a research-based mentoring program that, through
external evaluation, has demonstrated success in improving new teacher quality.
Programs must be approved by the commissioner in a process to be determined
by the Agency. Such a program must provide orientation and mentoring specifically
tailored for beginning teachers that includes the following:
(1)
a process for the recruitment of mentor teachers;
(2)
a structured mentoring component based upon research in:
(A)
teacher induction;
(B)
beginning teacher development; and
(C)
quality professional development;
(3)
regular teacher observations and standards-based assessments;
(4)
continuous support and ongoing professional development
tailored to the needs of beginning teachers that includes:
(A)
collecting and analyzing student performance data;
(B)
classroom management; and
(C)
pertinent topics related to pedagogy and student achievement;
and
(5)
training for administrators on implementing and supporting
an induction and mentoring program.
(c)
Qualifications of a mentor teacher. To serve as a mentor
teacher, a teacher must:
(1)
have a minimum of three years of teaching experience with
a superior record of assisting students in achieving improvement in student
performance;
(2)
complete a research-based mentor and induction training
program approved by the commissioner; and
(3)
complete a mentor training program provided by the district.
(d)
Assignment of a mentor teacher. Each school district may
assign a mentor teacher to a beginning teacher.
(1)
In order for a teacher to be assigned as a mentor teacher,
in accordance with the TEC §21.458, the teacher must:
(A)
teach in the same school as the beginning teacher; and
(B)
meet the qualifications specified in subsection (c) of
this section.
(2)
The organization may elect to use funds to employ retired
teachers or other instructional personnel who meet the definition and qualifications
of a mentor teacher described in this section.
(3)
To the extent practicable, a school district will assign
a mentor teacher to a beginning teacher who teaches or has taught the same
subject or grade level. A local school district board of trustees' decision
determining whether such an assignment is practicable is final and may not
be appealed to the commissioner.
(e)
Duties of a mentor teacher. A mentor teacher must:
(1)
participate in beginning teacher orientation;
(2)
meet weekly with the beginning teacher;
(3)
maintain documentation of mentor/beginning teacher activities;
(4)
attend regularly scheduled campus mentor support meetings
and trainings;
(5)
provide support to new teachers in collecting and analyzing
student data, classroom management, curriculum planning, and other activities
related to pedagogy and improved student achievement;
(6)
conduct observations and assessments of the beginning teacher;
and
(7)
complete all requirements of the school district's beginning
teacher induction and mentoring program.
(f)
Allocation and use of funds. In accordance with the TEC, §21.458,
funds may only be used for the following:
(1)
mentor teacher stipends;
(2)
release time for mentor teachers and beginning teachers
to meet regularly for conferencing, observations, networking sessions, shared
professional development, and other mentoring activities; and
(3)
mentoring support through providers of mentor training.
(g)
Audit of funds. The Agency may audit, disallow, and recover
grant funds. A decision to award, audit, disallow, or recover funds by the
commissioner or commissioner's designee is final.
(h)
Program review. School districts awarded grant funds must
agree to submit all information requested by the Agency through periodic activity/progress
reports. Reports will be due no later than 30 days after the close of the
reporting period and must contain all requested information in the format
prescribed by the commissioner. A final evaluation report must include:
(1)
the total number of beginning teachers and mentor teachers
who actually participated in the beginning teacher induction and mentoring
program;
(2)
the use of funds and activities conducted; and
(3)
any other pertinent information deemed appropriate by the
commissioner.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been
reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority
to adopt.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on February 26, 2007.
TRD-200700753
Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez
Director, Policy Coordination
Texas Education Agency
Earliest possible date of adoption: April 8, 2007
For further information, please call: (512) 475-1497