FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5622

                                  C 507 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Gaspard, Smitherman, Bauer and Bender; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education)

Continuing the beginning teachers assistance program.

Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Education

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Beginning Teacher Assistance Program was established as a pilot program in 1985.  Eighty-nine beginning teacher/mentor teams participated in the program during the 1985-86 school year; 703 teams are participating this current 1986-87 school year.  The report by the Superintendent of Public Instruction on the results of the program indicates it has been successful and includes a recommendation that it be continued.  It is suggested that the program allow mentor teachers to work with experienced teachers.

SUMMARY:

The sunset date for the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program is repealed and the program is made ongoing.  The name is changed to the Teacher Assistance Program, and the program is expanded to allow experienced teachers to participate and receive assistance from mentor teachers.

Beginning teachers, mentor teachers and experienced teachers may include anyone who possesses a certificate issued by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Mentor teachers may not be involved with evaluations of beginning or experienced teachers in the Teacher Assistance Program and are required to inform their principals periodically about the contents of training sessions and other program activities.

Stipends and workshops will be provided for beginning teachers as well as mentor teachers, and release time will be provided for mentor, beginning, and experienced teachers.

School districts shall select the mentor teachers.  If a local bargaining unit exists in the district, teachers representing the bargaining unit must participate in the selection process.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to consult periodically with educational organization and association representatives, including educational service districts and public and private colleges and universities, for the purpose of improving communication, cooperation and program review.

The Superintendent must report to the Legislature on the results of the program by December 31, 1987.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    49     0

      House 93   0 (House amended)

      Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

      House 85   0(House receded)

EFFECTIVE:June 15, 1987