Section 388.1627h - Mentoring grants for teachers, counselors, and administrators(1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2023-2024 only for the purposes of this section an amount not to exceed $50,000,000.00. Programs funded under this section are intended to expand support for new teachers, school counselors, and administrators; improve their instructional practices; and improve teacher retention.(2) From the allocation under subsection (1), the department shall provide grants to districts for mentor stipends to support and retain quality teachers, school counselors, and administrators in this state.(3) To receive a grant under this section, a district must apply for the grant in a form and manner prescribed by the department.(4) Districts that receive grants under subsection (2) may use the funding for any of the following allowable expenditures:(a) Stipends for any of the following individuals: (i) Veteran teachers who serve as mentor teachers of teachers participating in grow your own programs.(ii) Veteran teachers who serve as mentor teachers for teachers who are within their first 3 years of teaching.(b) Stipends for any of the following individuals: (i) Veteran school counselors who serve as mentor school counselors of school counselors participating in grow your own programs.(ii) Veteran school counselors who serve as mentor school counselors for school counselors who are within their first 3 years of serving as school counselors.(c) Stipends for any of the following individuals:(i) Veteran school administrators who serve as mentor school administrators of school administrators participating in grow your own programs.(ii) Veteran school administrators who serve as mentor school administrators for school administrators who are within their first 3 years of serving as school administrators.(d) Training for mentor teachers, mentor school counselors, and mentor administrators.(e) Books, materials, professional learning expenses, and other resources necessary for mentoring and onboarding new teachers. Professional learning expenses under this subdivision must be in addition to professional learning requirements described under section 1526 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1526.(f) Staffing costs to cover time spent by both new and mentor teachers, school counselors, and administrators dedicated to mentoring and onboarding rather than being in the classroom or performing other job duties.(g) Contracting with 1 or more established state professional organizations to provide mentoring services to school administrators. Only $3,000.00 per administrator or the actual program cost, whichever is lesser, of the costs described in this subdivision may be reimbursed from grant funding under subsection (2).(5) From the allocation under subsection (1), there is allocated $500,000.00 for a competitive grant to assist the department with the development of research-based mentor standards, curricula, and professional learning to ensure mentors are prepared to support new teachers. Intermediate districts and other educational entities are eligible to apply for this grant in a form and manner determined by the department.(6) From the allocation under subsection (1), there is allocated $500,000.00 for a competitive grant to conduct a program evaluation of activities funded under this section. The evaluation must identify recommendations to strengthen the program. Qualified evaluators are eligible to apply for this grant in a form and manner prescribed by the department. The funds allocated under this subsection for 2023-2024 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2023-2024 are carried forward into 2024-2025. The purpose of the work project is to evaluate the activities under this section. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2027.(7) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.(8) Subject to subsection (6), the funds allocated under this section for 2023-2024 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2023-2024 are carried forward into 2024-2025. The purpose of the work project is to continue support for grants for mentor stipends. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2028. It is the intent of the legislature that up to $10,000,000.00 be expended each year.Added by 2023, Act 103,s 51, eff. 10/1/2023.