Education Commission of the States Reports

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Mentor Programs

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Helping State Leaders Shape Education Policy

	Are there state-wide policies which provide for mentor or internship programs for principals and/or superintendents?	What are the key parts of these policies?	How are these policies practically implemented?	How are these programs structured?
Alabama	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08
Alaska	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08
Arizona	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08
Arkansas	Yes. Source: ARK. CODE ANN. §6-15-440 rev. 02/2008	Creates the Arkansas Leadership Academy School Support Program to train principals and teachers in schools and districts designated as being in school improvement. Specifies that any school district in school improvement may be invited, strongly encouraged or required to participate in the program as provided in the rules of the state board of education. Requires participating schools to remain in the program for at least three consecutive school years. Source: ARK. CODE ANN. §6-15-440 rev. 02/2008	The number of schools participating in the program will be determined by the amount of funding available for the program. The state board or the department may require a school district to fund a portion of the cost of the school's or school district's participation in the program if the Commissioner of Education determines that participation is in the best interest of the students served by the participating school or school district. Source: ARK. CODE ANN. §6-15-440 rev. 02/2008	State based academy Source: ARK. CODE ANN. §6-15-440 rev. 02/2008
California	Yes. Source: CAL.EDUC. CODE §44510-44517 Source: CAL.EDUC. CODE §224.5 rev. 01/08	(1) Establishes the Administrator Training Program. Appropriated funds for this program allow the State Superintendent to award incentive funding providing school administrators with instruction and training. The State Board of Education will meet and develop criteria for the approval of state-qualified training providers. The training will specifically provide instruction including, but not limited to, personnel management, academic standards, curriculum frameworks and assessment strategies. (2) Establishes the gender equity train-the-trainer grant program for the award of grants from funds available for that purpose to the governing boards of school districts and county offices of education. Requires the superintendent of public instruction, with the approval of the State Board of Education, to develop criteria for the grant applications, and the superintendent would select grant recipients. Grant money will result in the grantee providing ongoing gender training to all staff members. Source: CAL.EDUC. CODE §44510-44517 Source: CAL.EDUC. CODE §224.5 rev. 01/08	(1) Specifies that in order to receive incentive funding, a local education agency individually or in partnership with one or more institutions of higher education, should submit a program proposal to the State Board of Education. Incentive funding may not exceed $3,000 per schoolsite administrator. For each $3,000 that is received pursuant to this article, a participating local education agency will provide $1,000 in matching funds to be used for costs associated with training Incentive funding. (2) The Superintendent of Public Instruction will implement this program only in fiscal years in which sufficient funds have been appropriated. The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall award grants in a manner that ensures that training is available in all parts of the state. No more than a total $130,000 of state funds may be expended in any fiscal year. Source: CAL.EDUC. CODE §44510-44517 Source: CAL.EDUC. CODE §224.5 rev. 01/08	(1)District based (2)State based Source: CAL.EDUC. CODE §44510-44517 Source: CAL.EDUC. CODE §224.5 rev. 01/08
Colorado	Yes. Source: COLO. REV.STAT §22-60.5-304 rev. 02/2008	Specifies the approval process for school or district induction programs. Source: COLO. REV.STAT §22-60.5-304 rev. 02/2008	Explains that the approved induction program of any individual initial principal licensee may be extended but should not exceed a maximum of three years. Explains that the state board of education will establish standards and criteria for the approval of proposed induction programs for initial principal licensees and for the review of approved induction programs for initial principal licensees. Source: COLO. REV.STAT §22-60.5-304 rev. 02/2008	District based. Source: COLO. REV.STAT §22-60.5-304 rev. 02/2008
Connecticut	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08
Delaware	Yes. Source: DEL.CODE ANN. TIT. 14 §1503 rev. 1/08	Establishes that educators and administrators who are new to the profession and who hold an Initial License participate in mentoring activities prescribed by the Department. The new educator/administrator must, during the three year term of the Initial License, attend such activities as are planned by the Department as part of the New Educator Mentoring Program and offered in individual employing authorities. Experienced teachers and specialists new to the State of Delaware who hold an Initial License must participate in mentoring activities prescribed by the Department. Experienced Delaware educators who hold a Continuing or Advanced License, or a Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued prior to August 1, 2003, who move to a different employing authority must, within the first year of employment, participate in, and complete, an employing authority sponsored mentoring program which focuses on current best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment aligned to state standards. Source: DEL.CODE ANN. TIT. 14 §1503 rev. 01/08	Specifies that each teacher or administrator be assigned a mentor for the first year of employment in the State. The mentor will assist the new teacher or specialist in becoming acclimated to the role, the school or other setting, and Delaware content and teacher or specialist standards. The teacher or specialist will meet with his or her mentor at least 30 documented hours, which may include a combination of in school and after school time, during the first year of employment. The assignment of a mentor beyond the first year of employment in Delaware is at the discretion of the employing authority, based upon a review of the teacher’s or specialist’s performance. Experienced educators new to the State who are employed as school administrators shall participate in mentoring activities specified by the Department, as well as in mentoring activities required by the employing authority. Source: DEL.CODE ANN. TIT. 14 §1503 rev. 01/08	State based. Source: DEL.CODE ANN. TIT. 14 §1503 rev. 01/08
District of Columbia	No state policy found. rev. 02/2008	No state policy found. rev. 02/2008	No state policy found. rev. 02/2008	No state policy found. rev. 02/2008
Florida	Yes. Source: FLA. STAT. §1012.986 rev. 01/08	Establishes the William Cecil Golden Professional Development Program for School Leaders to provide standards and sustained support for principals as instructional leaders. The program consists of a collaborative network of state and national professional leadership organizations to respond to instructional leadership needs throughout the state. Source: FLA. STAT. §1012.986	Specifies that among the goals of the program are efforts to increase the quality of programs for preservice education for aspiring principals and inservice professional development for principals and principal leadership teams. The program will use the framework of leadership standards adopted by the State Board of Education, the Southern Regional Education Board, and the National Staff Development Council. Source: FLA. STAT. §1012.986 rev. 01/08	State based. Source: FLA. STAT. §1012.986 rev. 01/08
Georgia	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08
Hawaii	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08
Idaho	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08
Illinois	Yes. Source: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.53a rev. 01/08	Mandates that any individual who is hired as a principal in the State of Illinois on or after July 1, 2007 participate in a new principal mentoring program for the duration of his or her first year as a principal. This individual must complete the program in accordance with the requirements established by the State Board of Education. Source: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.53a rev. 01/08	Requires the State Board to certify entities approved to provide mentor training. Mentors will be assigned to a new principal based on similarity of grade level or type of school, learning needs of the new principal, and geographical proximity of the mentor to the new principal. The principal, in collaboration with the mentor, will identify areas for improvement of the new principal's professional growth. On or after July 1 of each year thereafter, the State Board will facilitate a review and evaluate the mentoring training program in collaboration with the approved providers. Source: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.53a rev. 01/08	District based. Source: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.53a rev. 01/08
Indiana	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08	No state policy found. rev. 01/08
Iowa	Yes. Source: IAC 284A.2 rev. 02/2008	Specifies that each school board should establish an administrator mentoring program for all beginning administrators. Requires each school board's beginning administrator mentoring and induction program to provide, at a minimum, one year of programming support ing the Iowa standards for school administrators. Source: IAC 284A.2 rev. 02/2008	Specifies that the plan should describe the mentor selection process, describe supports for beginning administrators , describe program organizational and collaborative structures, provide a budget, provide for sustainability of the program and provide for program evaluation. Source: IAC 284A.2 rev. 02/2008	District based. Source: IAC 284A.2 rev. 02/2008
Kansas	No state policy found. rev. 02/2008	No state policy found. rev. 02/2008	No state policy found. rev. 02/2008	No state policy found. rev. 02/2008
Kentucky	Yes. Source: KRS §156.101 rev. 01/2008	Requires an instructional leader to complete an intensive annual training program of a minimum of 21 hours a year and approved by the state board of education. Mandates that state board include a provision to allow an instructional leader to annually receive three participant hours credit for duties performed as part of a beginning teacher committee. Requires a maximum of six participant hours credit be awarded annually for serving on multiple beginning teacher committees. Source: KRS §156.101 rev. 01/2008	The Kentucky board of education will prescribe and oversee the leadership-training program, and provide the funds for the educators to attend such training. Establishes a course of discipline if educators do not comply. Source: KRS §156.101 rev. 01/2008	State based. Source: KRS §156.101 rev. 01/2008
Louisiana	Yes. Source: Part CXV. Bulletin 741 Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators §507 rev. 01/2008	Requires all newly appointed principals, assistant principals, and district level leaders with provisional principal or Educational Leader Level 1 certification to participate in Louisiana Education Leader Induction (LELI). Source: Part CXV. Bulletin 741 Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators §507 rev. 01/2008	Mandates that individuals appointed to a principalship, assistant principalship, or district level leadership position be enrolled in the LELI at the beginning of the following year. Specifies that program participants who successfully complete LELI and three years of educational leadership experience may request to have his/her provisional principal status updated. Source: Part CXV. Bulletin 741 Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators §507 rev. 01/2008	District based. Source: Part CXV. Bulletin 741 Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators §507 rev. 01/2008
Maine	Yes. Source: CMR 05 071-115.4.1(g) (Part II) rev. 01/2008	Specifies that satisfactory completion of the principal/superintendent internship or practicum requirement may be met by: completing a graduate level state-approved administrator internship or practicum program with a minimum term of 15 weeks, completing a minimum of one full year of employment as an assistant superintendent or superintendent out-of-state; or completing a mentorship plan reviewed and approved by the Commissioner, with the duration of the plan being a minimum of one academic year. Source: CMR 05 071-115.4.1(g) (Part II) rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. Source: CMR 05 071-115.4.1(g) (Part II) rev. 01/2008	District based. Source: CMR 05 071-115.4.1(g) (Part II) rev. 01/2008
Maryland	Yes. Source: COMAR 13A.12.04.04 Source: COMAR 13A.07.01.01 through 13A.07.01.05 rev. 01/2008	Specifies that principal candidates may use “practicum, internship, or a collaboratively designed and supervised experience by the local school system” to contribute towards certification. Specifies that mentoring programs may be available for public school employees holding professional certificates, conditional certificates, and resident teacher certificates. Source: COMAR 13A.12.04.04 Source: COMAR 13A.07.01.01 through 13A.07.01.05 rev. 01/2008	Specifies that mentor programs should include: models of effective classroom practices that address the identified needs of mentees, regular meetings with mentees to provide ongoing support and feedback on classroom performance and identification and coordination of appropriate resources to address the performance needs of mentees. Source: COMAR 13A.07.01.01 through 13A.07.01.05 rev. 01/2008	District based. Source: COMAR 13A.07.01.01 through 13A.07.01.05 rev. 01/2008
Massachusetts	Yes. Source: 603 CMR 7.09 Source: 603 CMR 7.13 rev. 01/2008	Specifies that an administrative apprenticeship/internship of at least 300 hours in the principal/assistant principal role with a trained mentor, may count toward principal or superintendent certification. All school districts are required to provide an induction program for all administrators in their first year of practice. Guidelines based on the following Standards will be provided by the Department. Source: 603 CMR 7.09 Source: 603 CMR 7.13 rev. 01/2008	Specifies that all induction programs should include an orientation program for first-year administrators and all other administrators new to the district. Mentor programs should include assignment of a support team consisting of, but not limited to, the mentor and an administrator qualified to evaluate administrators. Also required are provisions for adequate time for the mentor and beginning administrator to engage in professional conversations on learning and teaching as well as building leadership capacity within the school community and other appropriate mentoring activities. Additional provisions for adequate time and resources to learn how to use effective methods of personnel selection, supervision, and evaluation that are included in the Professional Standards for Administrators are also required. All induction programs are required to submit an annual report to the Department that includes information on: program activities and participants. Also required is information on the number of hours that mentoring occurs, the hiring and retention rates for first-year administrators, participant satisfaction and partnerships developed with other districts, professional associations, and institutions of higher education to support the administrator induction program. Source: 603 CMR 7.13 rev. 01/2008	District based. Source: 603 CMR 7.13 rev. 01/2008
Michigan	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008
Minnesota	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008
Mississippi	Yes. MISS. CODE ANN. §37-9-251 rev. 01/2008	The School Executive Management Institute of the StateDepartment of Education established a Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program to provide eligible beginning principals in this state with continued and sustained support from a formal assigned mentor principal during the first full year of principal service. Source: MISS. CODE ANN. §37-9-251 rev. 01/2008	Schools and districts must formulate their own mentorship program and submit the proposal to the Schools Executive Management Institute. The institute, policymakers and superintendents will choose one district within each of the five Mississippi congressional districts to partake in the program. Source: MISS. CODE ANN. §37-9-251 rev. 01/2008	District based. Source: MISS. CODE ANN. §37-9-251 rev. 01/2008
Missouri	Yes. Source: 5 CSR 80-631.010 Source: The Department’s Division of Teacher Quality and Urban Education Administrator Mentoring Program (AMP) rev. 01/2008	Establishes guidelines for the Leadership Academy’s Administrator Assessment Center. Requires all candidates applying for an initial Missouri school administrator certificate to satisfactorily complete an assessment process designed and implemented by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Administrator Mentoring Program (AMP) exists as a component of the Leadership Academy. Source: 5 CSR 80-631.010 Source: The Department’s Division of Teacher Quality and Urban Education Administrator Mentoring Program (AMP) rev. 01/2008	Specifies that the assessment established under this section includes but is not limited to, simulations, observations, evaluations and recommendations of prospective administrators. The Administrator Mentoring program is Sponsored by The Missouri Partnership for Mentoring School Leaders (MPMSL). Source: 5 CSR 80-631.010 Source: The Department’s Division of Teacher Quality and Urban Education Administrator Mentoring Program (AMP) rev. 01/2008	District/academy based. Source: 5 CSR 80-631.010 Source: The Department’s Division of Teacher Quality and Urban Education Administrator Mentoring Program (AMP) rev. 01/2008
Montana	No state policy found. However, among requirements for superintendent certification, candidates must complete either one year of administrative experience as an appropriately licensed principal or one year of a supervised board of public education approved administrative internship as a superintendent as part of the certification requirements. Source: ARM 10.57.414 rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008
Nebraska	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008
Nevada	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008
New Hampshire	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008
New Jersey	Yes. Source: N.J.A.C. 6A:9-12.4(c) rev. 01/2008	Specifies that in order to be eligible for the standard administrative certificate with a school administrator endorsement, candidates must, among other requirements, complete a one to two-year state-approved residency program while employed under provisional certification in a public school district. The residency program should be administered by a State-appointed mentor, an experienced administrator who has completed a State-approved orientation. Explains that the residency program will require candidates to develop a thorough understanding of New Jersey Standards: the Core Curriculum Content Standards, the Professional Standards for Teachers and the Professional Standards for School Leaders. Source: N.J.A.C. 6A:9-12.4 rev. 01/2008	Requires that residency programs ce conducted in accordance with a standard agreement issued by the Department and entered into by the Department, the employing school district, the candidate and the residency mentor. The mentor should supervise and verify completion of all required experiences and training by the candidate. Each candidate for the standard administrative certificate with a school administrator endorsement shall be evaluated formally by the mentor on at least three occasions for purposes of certification. Source: N.J.A.C. 6A:9-12.4 rev. 01/2008	State based. Source: N.J.A.C. 6A:9-12.4 rev. 01/2008
New Mexico	No state policy found. However, among qualifications for alternative administrative licensure is completion of a one year internship. Upon completion of the internship the candidate for alternative administrator licensure who has met PED-approved administrator competencies as verified to the PED by the candidate's employer will be issued an alternative level 3-B administrator license. Source: 6.60.3.9 NMAC rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008
New York	Yes. Source: New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives rev. 01/2008	Explains that holders of the Initial and Conditional Initial certificate must receive mentoring in their first year of teaching or school leadership in a public school district. Certificate holders who have had at least two years of teaching prior to receiving the Initial certificate are exempt from this requirement. Source: New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives rev. 01/2008	Specifies that the purpose of the mentoring requirement is to provide a new teacher with support in order to gain skillfulness and more easily make the transition to one's first professional teaching experience. Satisfaction of a mentored experience is one of the requirements individuals must satisfy in order to qualify for the second-level, or Professional, certificate. Public school districts must submit documentation of the mentored experience. Source: New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives rev. 01/2008	State based. Source: New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives rev. 01/2008
North Carolina	Yes. Source: §115C-284 rev. 01/2008	Adopts new standards by July 1, 2008, for school administrator preparation programs. The new standards will align with the revised standards for the evaluation of school executives and address the results of the Teacher Working Conditions Survey. Requires partnerships between adjunct faculty and full-time faculty to address the need for practical, field-based experience and academic, theory-based experience. Source: §115C-284 rev. 01/2008	Requires written agreements between the institution of higher education and a local school administrative unit to govern shared responsibility for recruitment and preparation of school administrators, especially with regard to internship experience. Source: §115C-284 rev. 01/2008	District/university based. Source: §115C-284 rev. 01/2008
North Dakota	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008
Ohio	Yes. Source: OAC 3301-24-04 Source: OAC 3301-24-11 through 3301-24-12 rev. 01/2008	Explains that school districts, chartered community schools, and chartered non-public schools, are required to provide a formal structured program of support, including mentoring, to all entry year teachers and principals. Explains that alternatively licensed principals or superintendents may receive alternative licenses when meeting certain requirements. The employing school district must provide a mentoring program for alternatively-licensed candidates. Source: OAC 3301-24-04 Source: OAC 3301-24-11 through 3301-24-12 rev. 01/2008	Specifies that entry year support for the beginning teacher or principal must include mentoring that is provided on an ongoing basis, is congruent with the performance-based assessment required and is consistent with guidelines provided by the Ohio department of education. Specifies that for alternatively licensed candidates, the employing school district must provide a mentoring program for alternatively licensed principals or superintendents that includes the assignment of a mentor, the completion of the interstate school leaders licensure consortium (ISLLC) self-assessment and the development of a personal learning plan. Mentoring programs must also include assistance in acquiring critical knowledge in facilitating a vision, school culture and instructional program, managing the school organization, collaboration and community engagement, ethics and integrity, and understanding publics. Source: OAC 3301-24-04 Source: OAC 3301-24-11 through 3301-24-12 rev. 01/2008	District based. Source: OAC 3301-24-04 Source: OAC 3301-24-11 through 3301-24-12 rev. 01/2008
Oklahoma	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008	No state policy found. rev. 01/2008
Oregon	Yes. Source: §ORS 329.815 Source: §ORS 329.820 rev. 01/2008	Provides for the hiring, training and evaluation of administrative mentors and mentor programs. Source: §ORS 329.815 Source: §ORS 329.820 rev. 01/2008	Specifies that mentors will be chosen by the districts in which they will do their mentorship and will complete a training workshop provided or approved by the Department of Education. The stipend received for each beginning teacher or administrator may be used by the school district to compensate mentors in addition to their regular duties or to compensate other individuals assigned duties to provide release time for teachers or administrators acting as mentors. The Department of Education will be responsible for the regular and ongoing evaluation of mentor programs and may contract for such evaluation. Source: §ORS 329.815 Source: §ORS 329.820 rev. 01/2008	District based. Source: §ORS 329.815 Source: §ORS 329.820 rev. 01/2008
Pennsylvania	Yes. Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, PA Inspired Leadership Initiative, Principal’s Induction Program (GROW) rev. 01/2008	Requires that all principals and assistant or vice principals who are employed for the first time in that capacity on or after January 1, 2008, complete a Principal's Induction Program within their first five years of employment. Principal’s Induction Program participants are mentored throughout their training. Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, PA Inspired Leadership Initiative, Principal’s Induction Program (GROW) rev. 01/2008	Specifies that the Principal's Induction Program must addresses the core PA leadership standards and uses a curriculum that has been developed by the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL), a division of the National Center for Education and the Economy (NCEE). Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, PA Inspired Leadership Initiative, Principal’s Induction Program (GROW) rev. 01/2008	State based. Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education, PA Inspired Leadership Initiative, Principal’s Induction Program (GROW) rev. 01/2008