Preparing and Retaining Educators Through Partnership Mentorship Program

Sec. 21.907. PREPARING AND RETAINING EDUCATORS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish a preparing and retaining educators through partnership mentorship program through which participating school districts or open-enrollment charter schools implement a mentoring program that meets the requirements of Section 21.458 for classroom teachers who have less than two years of teaching experience. (b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school participating in the program must require a classroom teacher who serves as a mentor teacher to annually complete a training program for mentor teachers established or adopted by the agency. (c) A school district or open-enrollment charter school shall use money received under Section 48.157(b)(5) to provide stipends for mentor teachers in an amount of at least $1,000. (d) If any money remains after providing a stipend to mentor teachers in accordance with Subsection (c), the district may use that money to provide: (1) scheduled release time for mentor teachers and classroom teachers being mentored to meet and engage in mentoring activities; and (2) support for mentor teachers through mentor training and strategic staffing training. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1065 (H.B. 2), Sec. 2.17, eff. June 20, 2025.