By:  Strama                                                       H.B. No. 2935


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to assigning a mentor teacher to a first year classroom teacher. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 21, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 21.458 to read as follows: Sec. 21.458. MENTORS. (a) Each school district shall assign a mentor teacher to each first year classroom teacher. (b) Each school district shall receive $1,000 from the Texas Education Agency for each first year classroom teacher. The money received for this purpose shall be used to pay for mentor training and to pay a stipend to the mentor teacher. (c) The district may use local money to pay additional stipends beyond the amounts provided by the agency under Subsection (b) in amounts determined by the district. (d) A stipend a teacher receives under subsection (b): (1) is in addition to the regular salary to which a teacher is otherwise entitled under the district's salary schedule; and (2) is not considered in determining whether the district is paying the teacher the minimum monthly salary under Section 21.402. (e) The mentor teacher shall, to the extent practicable, (1) teach in the same school; (2) teach the same subject or grade level, as applicable; and (3) meet the qualifications prescribed by commissioner rules adopted under Subsection (i). (f) Each mentor teacher shall complete a research-based mentor training program approved by the commissioner. (g) A school district that assigns a mentor teacher to a first year classroom teacher shall provide at least one day of training on a research-based teacher mentoring program before the start of the school year for both the mentor teacher and the first year classroom teacher. (h) A school district that assigns a mentor teacher to a first year classroom teacher shall provide for the mentor teacher and the first year classroom teacher at least one day of authorized absence for mentor program training during the school year. (i) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section, including rules concerning the duties and qualification of a teacher who serves as a mentor. The rules concerning qualifications shall require that to serve as a mentor a teacher shall have at least three complete years of teaching experience. The commissioner shall develop rules, under this subsection, by negotiated rule making as described in Government Code Section 2008.001. (j) Each school district shall develop local plans approved by the commissioner for the teacher mentorship program in the district. (k) the commissioner shall implement this section not later than September 1, 2006. SECTION 2. This ACT takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.