Section 7.12 - Standards for Induction Programs for Teachers(1)Application. All school districts are required to provide an Induction Program for teachers in their first year of practice. Guidelines based on the following Standards will be provided by the Department.(2)Standards. All Induction Programs shall meet the following requirements:(a) An orientation program for beginning teachers and all other incoming teachers.(b) Assignment of all beginning teachers to a trained mentor within the first two weeks of teaching.(c) Assignment of a support team that shall consist of, but not be limited to, the mentor and an administrator qualified to evaluate teachers.(d) Release time for the mentor and beginning teacher to engage in regular classroom observations and other mentoring activities.(3)Additional Requirements. All programs shall submit an annual report to the Department that includes information on:(b) Number and complete list of beginning teachers served.(c) Number and complete list of trained mentors.(d) Number of classroom observations made by mentors.(e) Number of hours that mentors and beginning teachers spend with each other.(f) Hiring and retention rates for beginning teachers.(g) Participant satisfaction.(h) Partnerships developed with other districts, professional associations, and institutions of higher education to support the beginning teacher induction program.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1297, eff. 10/9/2015.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1344, eff. 7/28/2017.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1369, eff. 7/13/2018.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1491, eff. 3/17/2023.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1500, eff. 7/21/2023.