// EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2022 PER CHAPTER 740 OF 2016 //
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “First year teacher” means a public school teacher who has not previously had any full–time teaching experience.
(3) “Pilot Program” means the Teacher Induction, Retention, and Advancement Pilot Program.
(b) (1) There is a Teacher Induction, Retention, and Advancement Pilot Program in the State.
(2) (i) Each county board may choose to participate in the Pilot Program.
(ii) A county board shall select the first year teachers to participate in the Pilot Program.
(iii) A county board is encouraged to give priority to teachers who teach in a school that is part of a cluster of schools in which the majority of the elementary and middle schools that feed into one high school are Title I schools.
(c) (1) Under the Pilot Program, each participating first year teacher shall be afforded at least 20% more time than teachers who are not first year teachers during the academic week to be spent on mentoring, peer observation, assistance with planning, or other preparation activities.
(2) The additional time afforded under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not include student supervision or administrative responsibilities.
(3) At the request of a first year teacher made to the principal of a school, the additional time afforded under paragraph (1) of this subsection may include support from a veteran teacher.
(4) A county board shall provide each first year teacher participating in the Pilot Program from that county with information regarding resources available to the first year teacher that may be used during the additional time that include:
(i) Mentoring;
(ii) Peer observation; and
(iii) Assistance with planning.
(d) Any costs incurred under the Pilot Program shall be borne 80% by the State and 20% by the county board.
(e) (1) (i) For fiscal year 2018, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $2,100,000 to the Pilot Program.
(ii) For fiscal year 2019, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $3,000,000 for the Pilot Program.
(iii) For fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $1,000,000 for the Pilot Program.
(2) The Department shall develop criteria by which funds shall be allocated to county boards to allow first year teachers to participate in the Pilot Program.
(3) (i) In accordance with subsection (d) of this section, and subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Department shall disburse funds to each county board that has first year teachers participating in the Pilot Program.
(ii) The Department shall include any costs incurred by a county board in meeting the requirements of subsection (c)(3) and (4) of this section when disbursing funds to a county board.
(4) It is not the intent of the General Assembly that enough funds be provided to ensure that every first year teacher in the State be able to participate in the Pilot Program.