April 10, 2015

A year of mentoring required to move from the initial to the professional license: Initial teaching Initial school specialist Initial leadership Form 21 submitted verifying mentoring in order to upgrade

Mentoring program provided to educators on an initial license must be based on established mentor guidelines Program must be approved as having met the guidelines Approved mentor program in place for school year

District choice: Survey indicates 95+ districts have a program in place District can adjust current program to meet guidelines District can utilize a program provided by another source District must complete the application regardless of whether they anticipate any staff on an initial license

Fall 2014 Mentor Guidelines developed by Committees: Teacher/School Specialist Leadership Spring 2015 Two notifications sent with requirements, guidelines, KSDE explanation Final notification with guidance document and application to submit programs sent last week

Summer 2015 Vetting process for approving programs June 1, 2015: Deadline to submit programs July 31, 2015: Deadline for KSDE to notify districts Fall 2015 Approved mentor program ready to be provided to educators on initial license

1. Program provides practical application of practices that outline a new teacher’s/specialist’s professional learning needs related to: the learner and learning; content knowledge; instructional practice; professional responsibility. 1. Program must include selection criteria and training for mentors: A. Selection Criteria: i. Mentor must have a minimum of three years of successful experience and have a professional license in effect ii. School specialist mentoring can be cross-district if necessary. B. Training: i. Initial training must occur by Oct. 1 ii. Initial training is paired with ongoing professional learning for the mentor ……..

3. Program provides one year of structured, intensive support for new teachers/specialists, with a documented plan for providing a second year of support if needed. Support during the one year of structured, intensive support must include: Communication: on a weekly basis ( , face to face, phone, etc.) Observation: virtual or in person, minimum of three per year System for mentor to provide reflective verbal dialogue and feedback 4. Program provides a defined accountability process to measure program effectiveness in providing effective support and growth at all levels.

1. Program provides practical application of the ISLLC and Kansas professional standards 2. Program must include mentor selection criteria and training: A. Selection Criteria: i. Mentor must hold a professional license in the mentoring area ii. Mentor must have a minimum of three years of experience in the area of mentoring (for example, an educator with one year of principal/building level experience and five years of superintendent/district level experience may mentor a new superintendent, but not a new principal) B. Training Criteria: i. Addresses roles and processes of mentoring ii. Coaching Skills

3. Program provides one year of structured, intensive support for the new leader. The program must include: i. A designated structured contact schedule. At a minimum, 40 contact hours, including at least three (3) face-to-face meetings. ii. Professional interaction with colleagues from the greater educational community. iii. A documented plan for providing additional training and support as appropriate (beyond the first year). 4. Program must include a mechanism in place to evaluate the mentoring program.