Section 65.130  Program Specifications

a)         Each program supported with grant funds under this Subpart B shall incorporate:

1)         mentoring for new teachers that is provided by experienced teachers who have received training to equip them for this role;

2)         professional development for recipient teachers, mentors, and administrators who have roles in the program; and

3)         formative assessment of new teachers' practice with respect to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and the content-area standards relevant to their respective fields of assignment.

b)         Each program shall serve no fewer than 10 new teachers.  Each program shall serve no more than 75 new teachers, unless a specific rationale is provided that demonstrates how each new teacher will receive comparable and adequate attention and support.

c)         Each new teacher shall, at the time he or she begins the program, be in his or her first year of teaching.  Each shall hold an initial certificate, except that a provisional or alternative certificate that is not also titled an "initial" certificate shall be treated as an initial certificate if the holder will qualify for an initial certificate rather than a standard certificate upon completion of all applicable requirements.

d)         Each program shall be designed to ensure that each new teacher spends no less than 1.5 hours per week in contact with the mentor assigned, either one on one or in another configuration, including both classroom observation of the new teacher by the mentor and other interactions between these individuals.

e)         Each program shall provide for the development of an individual induction plan for each new teacher served and for the provision of professional development that is directly related to the needs identified in the individual plan.