Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act
Sponsored By: Senator Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced
Summary
Multi-year induction and mentorship programs for beginning teachers and school leaders. This bill would create a federal grant program to fund and monitor multi-year induction programs that aim to reduce early-career turnover, improve classroom practice, and strengthen school leadership.
Show full summary
- Beginning teachers and school leaders would get a formal induction of at least two years with high-quality mentoring, scheduled collaboration time, classroom observation with expert feedback, and evidence-based instructional supports to boost early-career performance and student outcomes.
- Mentors must be fully certified, show effectiveness, have at least three years of prior experience, receive pre-mentoring training, and be compensated either through reduced duties or additional pay.
- State education agencies would reserve at least 90 percent of grant funds for subgrants to local districts. If funds are insufficient, awards would be targeted to districts with the highest shares of economically disadvantaged students and to schools in the top 50 percent for economic disadvantage and with the greatest concentration or turnover of first- and second-year teachers.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New induction rules for new educators
The bill would define induction programs that last at least the first two years for new teachers and school leaders. Programs would require high-quality mentoring, regular collaboration time, formative classroom observation with expert feedback, evidence-based instructional supports (including for students with disabilities and English learners), and help using student data and building positive school culture. Programs could include statewide or regional initiatives and supports for rural or hard-to-staff areas.
Paid mentor rules for schools
The bill would require mentors to be formally qualified and paid. Mentors must be fully certified, usually have at least three years' experience, and get training before mentoring. Schools would have to either reduce mentor duties and give paid release time, raise mentor pay, or pay a stipend. Grant applications would have to promise mentors are paid and publicly post mentor requirements and pay, and local and state applications must describe how they will meet these rules while respecting collective bargaining rights.
State grants and local match rules
The bill would create a yearly competitive grant program run by the Department of Education starting in fiscal year 2027. From each yearly appropriation the Secretary would reserve 2% for administration and 1% for Bureau of Indian Education supports, and the rest would fund state grants. States getting grants would usually have to provide a 50% non‑Federal match, but the Secretary could waive the match for disasters, big budget declines, or other hardships. States would have to give at least 90% of each grant to local subgrants and may keep up to 5% for administration and statewide help. If money is not enough to serve all new teachers, states must target districts and schools with the highest shares of economically disadvantaged students and the most first- or second-year educators. Grant funds must add to, not replace, existing local spending for these activities.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov