The 1999 Session of the Virginia General Assembly enacted the Education Accountability and Quality Enhancement Act of 1999 aimed at supporting educator productivity and accountability. The act amended the Code of Virginia to require, in part, the following: "The Board of Education shall establish, from such funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly, mentor teacher programs utilizing specially trained public school teachers as mentors to provide support to teachers entering the profession and to improve the performance of experienced teachers who are not performing at an acceptable level."

The legislation also required the Board to issue guidelines for mentor programs and to establish criteria for beginning and experienced teacher participation.

On June 22, 2000, the Board adopted the Guidelines for Mentor Teacher Programs for Beginning and Experienced Teachers. The guidelines may be accessed on the Department of Education’s website, www.pen.k12.va.us (refer to the teacher education and licensure icon). A brochure containing the guidelines will be available for distribution on August 15, 2000.

Questions regarding the guidelines should be directed to Dr. Thomas A. Elliott, assistant superintendent of teacher education and licensure, or Ms. Byrd Latham, teacher education specialist, at 804-371-2522.

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