What does Preamble of Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act do?

This bill aims to establish a grant program. The grant program is intended to support teacher and school leader induction programs. These programs will be implemented in public schools.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act.

What does FINDINGS. of Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act do?

This section identifies high teacher turnover, particularly among teachers with less than three years of experience, as a primary contributor to teacher shortages. Teacher inexperience and turnover can negatively impact student learning, disrupt school stability, and result in financial costs. Beginning teachers participating in 2-year mentoring and induction programs demonstrate improved student learning and achievement, and decreased turnover. Students of color are disproportionately taught by inexperienced teachers, with nearly 1 in 6 teachers just beginning their career at schools with high concentrations of students of color. Rural schools often have more beginning teachers facing amplified challenges, including a lack of qualified mentors, high teaching loads, and professional isolation. Induction programs for school leaders are associated with improved teacher retention and student outcomes, particularly in economically and academically disadvantaged schools.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. Several existing definitions from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) are adopted, including terms like 'child with a disability' and 'local educational agency'. An 'educator preparation program' is defined as a program within an institution of higher education that prepares teachers or school leaders. An 'eligible entity' is a State educational agency, while an 'eligible subgrantee' can be a local educational agency, a consortium, or an agency partnering with educator preparation programs or nonprofit entities. “Fully certified and licensed” requires meeting state certification/licensure requirements and not having them waived on an emergency basis. An 'induction program' is a formalized program for new teachers or school leaders during their first two years, designed to improve performance and retention. A 'mentor' for teachers or school leaders must meet specific criteria, including experience, training, and demonstrated effectiveness. “Teacher or school leader mentoring” includes criteria for mentor selection, training, observation, compensation, and promotes evidence-based practices.

What does PROGRAM AUTHORIZED. of Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act do?

This section authorizes a program and outlines grant provisions. The Secretary must reserve 2% of appropriated funds for program administration, evaluation, and technical assistance. The Secretary must reserve 1% of appropriated funds for the Secretary of the Interior to support programs for Bureau of Indian Education schools. The remaining funds are to be awarded as grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities. Eligible entities generally must provide a 50% match for grant activities. The matching requirement is waived for entities representing outlying areas and those receiving grants from the Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary may waive the matching requirement for eligible entities facing exceptional circumstances, financial decline, or inability to carry out authorized activities.

What does GRANT APPLICATION. of Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act do?

This section outlines the requirements for grant applications under section 4. Applicants must submit applications to the Secretary at their discretion regarding time, manner, and information. Applications must include an assurance that subgrantees will provide induction programs meeting criteria outlined in section 3(6). If funding is insufficient, applicants must describe how they will target funding to high-need schools, as specified in section 6(a)(2). Mentors must either have their roles formally compensated or receive additional compensation for mentorship. Applicants must detail how they will involve teacher and school leader organizations in program development and mentor compensation. Local educational agencies must publicly post mentor requirements and compensation. Applicants must describe how induction programs will build upon prior teacher training. Applicants must ensure compliance with the fiscal accountability requirements of section 7.

What does USE OF FUNDS. of Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act do?

This section outlines the use of funds received under section 4 of the Act. Eligible entities receiving grants must reserve at least 90% of available funds for subgrants to support induction programs for teachers and school leaders in their first two years. Subgrants are awarded to eligible subgrantees who submit complete applications and plan to provide induction programs. If funding is insufficient to support all eligible teachers and leaders, funds should be targeted to those in local educational agencies with the highest percentages of economically disadvantaged students or the highest rates of teacher turnover. Eligible subgrantees must ensure mentors participating in induction programs are compensated or receive additional compensation. Subgrant applications must detail how the subgrantee will involve teacher and leader organizations, publicly post mentor requirements and compensation, and coordinate with educator preparation programs. Subgrant funds can be used to plan, implement, improve, or expand induction programs, as well as to compensate mentors. Eligible entities must also reserve at least 5% of grant funds for program administration, technical assistance, and initiatives supporting teachers and school leaders in their first two years.

What does FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY. of Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act do?

This section establishes fiscal accountability requirements for grant and subgrant recipients. Eligible entities receiving grants or subgrants must ensure funds from this Act supplement, rather than replace, existing funding for authorized activities. The Act clarifies that it does not intend to alter existing labor rights or procedures for public school employees. Paragraph (2) states that compliance with this Act and state labor laws remains required, even with existing collective bargaining agreements.

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act do?

This section authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act. Funding is authorized for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent fiscal years. The amount of funding authorized is determined to be 'such sums as may be necessary'.

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Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act

Last updated: 6/10/2026 · Introduced: 6/10/2026

Author: Jahana Hayes (D-CT)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a grant program to support teacher and school leader induction programs in public schools.
The program prioritizes funding for schools with high concentrations of students of color and rural schools facing teacher shortages.
Grant recipients must dedicate at least 90% of funds to subgrants for induction programs supporting teachers and school leaders during their first two years.
Mentors participating in induction programs must be formally compensated or receive additional compensation.
The bill requires grant applicants to demonstrate how induction programs will build upon prior teacher training and involve teacher and school leader organizations.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 7 more.

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