MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Ferris

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-211, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO COMPENSATE MENTOR TEACHERS FOR ADDITIONAL DUTIES PERFORMED UNDER THE BEGINNING TEACHER SUPPORT PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-9-211, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-9-211. (1) The selection, nature and extent of duties of mentor teachers shall be determined by the school district. The following guidelines shall apply:

(a) No teacher shall be designated as a mentor teacher unless willing to perform in that role, and a retired teacher shall be eligible to serve as a mentor teacher;

(b) No mentor teacher shall participate in the evaluation of beginning teachers;

(c) Each mentor teacher shall complete successfully a training workshop provided or approved by the Mississippi Teacher Center prior to participating in the beginning teacher support program;

(d) If a mentor teacher receives additional release time to support a beginning teacher, it is expected that the total workload of other teachers regularly employed by the school district should not increase in any substantial manner.

(2) Any local school district shall be authorized to compensate mentor teachers from any available funds for additional duties to support a beginning teacher which are performed after regular school hours.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.