Bill Text: TX HB816 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Engrossed

---

Bill Title: Relating to a school district assigning a mentor teacher to a new classroom teacher.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-05-12 - Received from the House [HB816 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB816-Engrossed.html

---

85R16611 MK-D
By: Bernal, Uresti H.B. No. 816

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a school district assigning a mentor teacher to a new
classroom teacher.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 21.458, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (a-1), (b-1), (f), and (g) and amending
Subsections (b) and (d) to read as follows:
(a-1) To be assigned as a mentor, a teacher must agree to
serve as a mentor teacher for at least two school years. The
assignment must begin on the first day of employment of the
classroom teacher to whom the mentor teacher is assigned.
(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to
administer this section, including rules concerning the duties and
qualifications of a teacher who serves as a mentor, and the number
of classroom teachers that may be assigned to a mentor. The rules
concerning qualifications must require that to serve as a mentor a
teacher must:
(1) complete a research-based mentor and induction
training program approved by the commissioner;
(2) complete a mentor training program provided by the
district; [and]
(3) have at least three complete years of teaching
experience with a superior record of assisting students, as a
whole, in achieving improvement in student performance; and
(4) demonstrate interpersonal skills, instructional
effectiveness, and leadership skills.
(b-1) A school district must provide training to mentor
teachers and any appropriate district and campus employees who work
with the classroom teacher or supervise the classroom teacher. The
training must be completed by the mentor teacher and the district
and campus employees before the beginning of the school year. The
district shall also provide supplemental training to mentor
teachers and employees during the school year. The training must
include content related to best mentorship practices.
(d) In adopting rules under this section [Subsection (c)],
the commissioner shall rely on research-based mentoring programs
that, through external evaluation, have demonstrated success.
(f) A mentor teacher must meet with each classroom teacher
assigned to the mentor at least once a week for an individual
mentoring session lasting at least 45 minutes, with not less than 12
hours of meeting time each semester. The mentoring sessions must
address the following topics:
(1) orientation to the context, policies, and
practices of the school district;
(2) data-driven instructional practices;
(3) specific instructional coaching cycles, including
coaching regarding conferences between parents and the classroom
teacher;
(4) professional development; and
(5) professional expectations.
(g) A school district must:
(1) designate a specific time during the regularly
contracted school day for meetings between mentor teachers and
classroom teachers assigned to a mentor; and
(2) schedule release time or a reduced teaching load
for mentor teachers and classroom teachers under this section to
facilitate mentoring activities, including classroom observations
or participation in supportive coaching.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 42.161 to read as follows:
Sec. 42.161. MENTOR PROGRAM ALLOTMENT. (a) A school
district that has implemented a mentoring program for classroom
teachers who have less than two years of teaching experience under
Section 21.458 is entitled to an allotment as determined under
Subsection (b) to fund the mentoring program and to provide
stipends for mentor teachers.
(b) The commissioner shall adopt a formula to determine the
amount that each district described by Subsection (a) is entitled
to.
(c) Funding provided to districts under this section may be
used only for providing:
(1) mentor teacher stipends;
(2) scheduled release time for mentor teachers and the
classroom teachers to whom they are assigned for meeting and
engaging in mentoring activities; and
(3) mentoring support through providers of mentor
training.
SECTION 3. Section 21.458(c), Education Code, is repealed.
SECTION 4. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
school year.
SECTION 5. 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, 2017.