92 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 26, § 001

Current through September 17, 2024

Section 92-26-001 - General Provisions

001.01 Scope of This Chapter

This chapter provides the criteria, standards, and procedures for the administration of the Mentor Teacher Program funded by the Education Innovation Fund and also the requirements for approval by the Board of Mentor Teacher Programs established by a district in the local system for purposes of qualifying for Quality Education Incentive Payment premier quality factors pursuant to Section 79-758(3)(c) of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska (R.R.S.).

001.01A Local school systems seeking funding for Mentor Teacher Programs under the Education Innovation Fund pursuant to Section 79-761 R.R.S. shall meet all the criteria in Sections 003, 004, 006 and 007 of this Chapter.

001.01B Local school systems seeking Quality Education Incentive payments under Section 79-758 R.R.S. by virtue of having met the "premier quality factor" of providing a mentor teacher program pursuant to Section 79-761 R.R.S. or a mentor teacher program which has been established by a district in the local system and approved by the Board shall meet the requirements of Section 008 of this Chapter.

001.02 Statutory Authority

This chapter is adopted pursuant to Sections 9-812, 79-758(3)(c) and 79-761 R.R.S.:

Section 9-812 R.R.S. which provides in part:

"The Education Innovation Fund shall be allocated in the following manner: Up to ten percent to fund the Mentor Teacher Program pursuant to the Quality Education Accountability Act;" and that "to assist the Council in carrying out its duties, the State Board of Education shall, in consultation with the Council, adopt and promulgate rules and regulations establishing criteria, standards, and procedures regarding the selection and administration of programs funded from the Education Innovation Fund, including the Quality Education Accountability Act."

Section 79-758 R.R.S. which provides in part:

(1)" Quality education incentive payments shall be provided to local systems, as defined in Section 79-1003, each year the local system meets the qualifications described in this Section. The first two years a local system qualifies for quality education incentives, the system shall meet all of the primary quality factors in Subsection (2) of this Section. The third and fourth years a local system qualifies for quality education incentives, the system shall meet all of the primary quality factors in Subsection (2) of this Section and at least two of the premier quality factors in Subsection (3) of this Section. The fifth and sixth years a local system qualifies for quality education incentives, the system shall meet all of the primary quality factors in Subsection (2) of this Section and at least three of the premier quality factors in Subsection (3) of this Section. The seventh year and each year thereafter a local system qualifies for quality education incentives, the system shall meet all of the primary quality factors in Subsection (2) of this Section and at least four of the premier quality factors in Subsection (3) of this Section except as provided in Subsection (4) of this Section."

Section 79-758(3)(c) R.R.S. which provides that one of the premier quality factors is: "Each first-year teacher in a local system is provided with a mentor participating in the mentor teacher program pursuant to Section 79-761 or a mentor teacher program has been established by a district in the local system and approved by the State Board;"

Section 79-761 R.R.S. which provides:

"The State Board of Education shall develop guidelines for mentor teacher programs in local systems in order to provide ongoing support for individuals entering the teaching profession. Funding for the mentor teacher programs shall be provided to local systems which provide each first-year teacher in the local system with a mentor. The mentor teacher program shall be funded by the Education Innovation Fund pursuant to Subsection (2) of Section 9-812 and shall identify criteria for selecting excellent, experienced, and qualified teachers to be participants. The State Board shall report to the Legislature on or before December 1, 1998, on its progress in implementing this Section."

92 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 26, § 001