$1.3 million in mentoring funds distributed for Initial Educators
From the Department of Public Instruction
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster announced that $1.3 million in mentoring funds
for Initial Educators has been distributed to 290 Wisconsin school districts and public educational
agencies and 147 private schools and agencies in the state.
“A quality education for every child means a quality teacher in every classroom and a strong
leader in every school,” said Burmaster. “Effective mentoring is a powerful tool for creating quality
educators, and these grants help districts use that tool.”
Beginning in 2004, with the enactment of the Wisconsin Quality Educator Initiative (Chapter PI 34, Wis. Admin. Code), Wisconsin school districts have been required to provide a qualified mentor to every teacher, administrator, and pupil services professional who is in the first year of employment in a
given area. Mentoring Funds for Initial Educators help offset the expense of mentoring, by reimbursing
districts at the rate of $375 per first-year educator.
“The work of educators is both critical and complex, and gets more so every year,” said Burmaster. “It makes good sense to ask our seasoned veterans to share their hard-earned wisdom with
beginning educators, so we may continually improve our students’ education, ensuring that the next
generation of citizens graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.”
The grants also support the mentoring of second-year educators, at a variable rate depending on
the number of applications from school districts. This year, the second-year educator rate was also $375.
Mentoring Funds for Initial Educators were first offered to districts in the 2006-07 school year.
Related links:
Department of Public
Instruction
Posted June 26, 2008