N.M. Admin. Code § 6.60.10.8

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 19, October 8, 2024

Section 6.60.10.8 - REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHER MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS

All mentorship programs must receive initial approval from the director prior to the first year of implementation and each year thereafter. To receive approval, public school districts, charter schools, or state educational institutions shall submit a proposed teacher mentorship program that aligns with and supports the public school district's, charter school's, or state educational institution's long range plan for student success. Teacher mentorship programs shall align with all competencies outlined in the state's educator effectiveness evaluation system, NMTEACH, in accordance with 6.69.8 NMAC, and all other competencies outlined in department regulation and guidance. The proposal shall describe how this mandatory teacher mentorship program for first-year teachers addresses the following.

A. Individual support for first-year teachers from designated mentors shall be aligned to all competencies outlined in the NMTEACH system and also include, at a minimum:

(1) instructional material development in alignment with department-approved standards;

(2) culturally and linguistically responsive, as defined by the department, lesson planning and lesson design appropriate for all diverse learners, including English learners and students with disabilities;

(3) development and administration of formative and benchmark student academic assessments;

(4) individual instructional conferences with students;

(5) individual conferences with parents and families, specifically to discuss student achievement, assessment scores, and college and career readiness; and

(6) classroom observation protocol.

B. Structured and evidence-based training activities for designated mentors, which shall include the following, at a minimum:

(1) identifying and addressing the needs of first-year teachers;

(2) developing mentorship relationships;

(3) evaluating mentees using observation domains outlined in NMTEACH; and

(4) documenting teacher growth aligned with the NMTEACH system and rubrics.

C. Structured process for selection of designated mentors shall include:

(1) selection criteria and process; and

(2) criteria of evaluation for the efficacy of the mentor.

D. Compensation provided to designated mentors, as determined by the relevant public school district, charter school, or state educational institution. Pursuant to Section 22-10A-4 NMSA 1978, a level 3-A license is the highest level of teaching licensure for those teachers who choose to advance as instructional leaders in the teaching profession and undertake greater responsibilities such as curriculum development, peer intervention and mentoring. LEAs may increase compensation for level 3-A license teachers.

E. Mentor quality, specifically guaranteeing that all designated mentors will be a level 2 or level 3 teacher who:

(1) has earned an effectiveness rating of highly effective or exemplary as determined by the state's educator effectiveness evaluation system, NMTEACH, as outlined in 6.69.8 NMAC, for at least one of the two most recent years;

(2) is a nationally board certified teacher and has earned an effectiveness rating of effective as determined by the state's educator effectiveness evaluation system, NMTEACH, as outlined in 6.69.8 NMAC, for at least one of the most recent two years; or

(3) is assigned by the department in situations where no qualifying mentor is available.

F. Requirements to complete a mentorship program.

G. Programming that is at least one year in length and includes provisions whereby support for an additional one or two years may be provided to teachers who do not successfully complete the first-year teacher mentorship program and continue to be employed in the public school district, charter school, or state educational institution.

N.M. Admin. Code § 6.60.10.8

6.60.10.8 NMAC - N, 07-01-02; A, 11-30-05, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXIX, Issue 24, December 27, 2018, eff. 7/1/2019