A Request for Application (RFA) # RFA 195-00-09 for the Beginning Teacher Induction and Mentoring (BTIM) Program, Cycle 3 has been posted at http://burleson.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms/GrantProgramSearch.aspx. The list of districts and open-enrollment charter schools eligible to apply for grant funds can be found at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/opge/disc/calendar/195-09/Eligibility.pdf. A Texas Education Telecommunication Network, TETN conference # 35101, will be held at the Texas Education Agency, Rm. 1-110B, on Thursday, April 9, 2009 from 3:15 pm to 5:00 pm. The deadline to apply for grant funds is Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
The Mentoring Program was created during the 79th Texas Legislature, 3rd Special Session in House Bill 1. Funds were authorized by Subchapter J, Chapter 21, §21.458 of the Texas Education Code created by House Bill 1, General Appropriations Act, Article III, Rider 73, 80th Legislature to provide grants to public school districts and open enrollment charter schools. The purpose of the BTIM program is to establish or enhance a beginning teacher induction and mentoring program designed to increase retention of beginning teachers. Campuses are allowed to assign a qualified mentor teacher to each classroom teacher who has less than two years of teaching experience.
Funds can be used by eligible school districts or open-enrollment charter schools for:
- mentor stipends,
- mentor training, and
- mentor release time to meet/observe with the beginning teacher.
The statute allows each school district to assign a mentor teacher to each classroom teacher with less than two years teaching experience. Teacher mentors must:
(1) teach in the same school;
(2) teach the same subject or grade level as applicable (to the extent practicable); and
(3) meet qualifications as determined by the commissioner.
Requirements for teacher mentors are:
(1) have at least three complete years of teaching experience and a superior history of improving student performance.
(2) completion of a research-based mentor and induction training program approved by the commissioner;
(3) completion of a mentor training program provided by the district
The adopted Commissioner rules for the Mentoring program can be reviewed here.
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