Retaining Effective Teachers Policy
Pennsylvania requires that all new teachers receive mentoring. New teachers are required to participate in an induction program, which must include the assignment of a mentor. Local districts are required to formulate programs and submit them for approval by the state. "Criteria for approval of induction plans...must include induction activities that focus on teaching diverse learners in inclusive settings."
Set more specific parameters.
To ensure that all teachers receive high-quality mentoring, Pennsylvania should set a timeline in which mentors are assigned to all new teachers throughout the state, soon after the commencing of teaching, to offer support during those first critical weeks of school. Mentors should be required to be trained in a content area or grade level similar to that of the new teacher, and the state should mandate a method for performance evaluation.
Require induction strategies that can be successfully implemented, even in poorly managed schools.
To ensure that the experience is meaningful, the state should guarantee that induction includes strategies such as intensive mentoring, seminars appropriate to grade level or subject area and a reduced teaching loan and/or frequent release time to observe other teachers.
Pennsylvania recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.