Retaining Effective Teachers Policy
Alabama requires that all new teachers receive mentoring through the Alabama Teacher Mentoring (ATM) program. The state requires that each new teacher receive mentoring for a minimum of two years with the option of a third year based on mastery of competencies. Mentors for new teachers must be in place within the first month of school, and the goal is an average of 2.5 hours of contact time during each week of the school year. Mentor teachers must have a minimum of three years' successful teaching experience and subject-area expertise. Mentors are chosen by a committee comprised of teachers and administrators, must complete a training course and receive a stipend of $1,000 per year for each new teacher they mentor. Each new teacher must complete regularly scheduled assessments of the mentor program effectiveness.
Alabama recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.