DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 19
April 27, 2007
ADMINISTRATIVE
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
2007-2008
Funds for |
The 2007 General Assembly appropriated
$1.375 million to support mentor teacher and clinical faculty programs for the
fiscal year 2008. Approximately $1
million will be allocated for mentor teacher programs in school divisions, and
$375,000 will be awarded to institutions of higher education for clinical faculty
programs.
School divisions should collaborate
with institutions of higher education in the continued development and
implementation of mentor teacher programs.
Participating divisions are strongly encouraged to implement projects
that reflect scientific, evidence-based research, and best practices. These programs include the Pathwise Framework
Induction Program at http://www.ets.org, The
Santa Cruz New Teacher Project at http://newteachercenter.org,
and
For 2007-2008, funds for school
divisions will be allocated on a per teacher basis that will be determined
after requests for grants have been submitted.
A local resource commitment of 50 percent is required. Funds will be retroactive to July 1, 2007,
and will be awarded subject to available state funding.
Participation in this funding
opportunity to support mentor teacher programs is voluntary. Section 22.1‑303 of the Code of Virginia requires that school
boards must provide probationary teachers with a mentor teacher, except those
who have prior successful teaching experience, as described by Board of
Education guidelines. Copies of the
Board of Educations Guidelines for Mentor
Teacher Programs for Beginning and Experienced Teachers and Requirements of Quality and Effectiveness
for Beginning Teacher Mentor Programs in Hard-To-Staff Schools may be
accessed at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/newvdoe/teached.html.
While participation is voluntary, all school
divisions must complete the attached
affidavit verifying the number of new teachers with no years of teaching
experience who will be employed for 2007-2008 and the projected number for the
2008-2009 school year. If you are not
interested in seeking funding for your mandatory mentor teacher program for
probationary teachers, please check the appropriate statement on the attached
affidavit. This form must be faxed to
Jennifer K. Stuart, teacher education specialist, Office of Teacher Education
at (804)786-6759 no later than Friday, September 14, 2007. Upon receipt of this information, along with
your 2006-2007 Mentor Teacher Summary
Report due Friday June 15, 2007, funds for the 2007-2008 year will begin to
be transmitted electronically to your school division on a semi-monthly payment
schedule.
If you have questions or need
additional information, please contact Patty S. Pitts, assistant
superintendent, Division of Teacher Education and Licensure, at (804) 371‑2522
or e-mail: Patty.Pitts@doe.virginia.gov,
or Jennifer K. Stuart, at (804)225-2047 or e-mail: Jennifer.Stuart@doe.virginia.gov.
BKCJr/PSP/jks
Attachment
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2007/adm019a.pdf