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 are to 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 who participate in 2-year mentoring and induction programs demonstrate improved student learning and achievement, and reduced turnover. Students of color are disproportionately taught by inexperienced teachers, with nearly 1 in 6 beginning teachers working in schools with high concentrations of students of color. Rural schools often have more beginning teachers facing amplified challenges, including a lack of qualified mentors 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. Terms like 'child with a disability,' 'local educational agency,' and 'State educational agency' are defined according to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. 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 defined as 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 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 opportunities, compensation, and promotion of evidence-based practices.

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

This section authorizes a program involving grants to eligible entities. Two percent of the appropriated amount under section 8 is reserved for program administration, evaluation, and technical assistance. One percent of the appropriated amount is reserved 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. 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 other 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 content. 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 describe how they will involve teacher and school leader organizations in program development and mentor compensation. Applicants must detail how local educational agencies will publicly post mentor requirements and compensation. Applicants must describe how they will coordinate with educator preparation programs to ensure induction programs complement prior training. Applicants must assure 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 percent of available funds for subgrants to support induction programs for teachers and school leaders in their first two years. Subgrants are intended to enable eligible subgrantees to plan, implement, improve, or expand induction programs. If sufficient funds are unavailable, eligible entities must prioritize subgrants to local educational agencies with the highest percentages of economically disadvantaged students or the highest concentration/turnover rates of new teachers and leaders. Eligible subgrantees applying for subgrants must assure that induction programs meet criteria outlined in section 3(6) and describe how they will target funding if necessary. Mentors participating in induction programs must have their roles constructed as part of their contracted and compensated responsibilities or receive additional compensation. Subgrant funds can be used to plan, implement, improve, or expand induction programs, and to compensate mentors. Eligible entities must also reserve at least 5 percent of grant funds for program administration, technical assistance, and initiatives to support teachers and school leaders.

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

This section establishes fiscal accountability requirements for entities receiving grants under section 4 and subgrants under section 6(a). Recipients must ensure that funds from this Act supplement, rather than supplant, existing funding for authorized activities. The Act clarifies that it does not intend to alter or affect the rights of public school or local educational agency employees under existing laws or collective bargaining agreements. However, this protection does not exempt states, local educational agencies, or public schools from complying with the Act or negotiating in accordance with state labor laws to achieve compliance.

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 '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: Timothy Kaine (D-VA)

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 high-need schools, including those with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students or high teacher turnover rates.
Grant recipients must dedicate at least 90% of funds to subgrants for induction programs and ensure mentors are formally compensated or receive additional compensation.
Eligible entities generally need to provide a 50% match for grant activities, although this requirement may be waived under certain circumstances.
The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent years to fund the grant program and related activities.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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

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