As a result of recent state-mandated budget restrictions, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) announces that for the 2010-2011 school year, grant monies associated with Novice Teacher Induction and Beginning Administrator Induction will be reduced.
School districts will continue to receive funds for each novice teacher mentor and each beginning administrator mentor. However, funds previously available for professional materials and/or professional development for novice teachers and beginning administrators are not currently available. Grants will continue to be issued according to the number of novice teacher-mentor pairs and beginning administrator-mentor pairs. To allow for mentor stipends only, the amount issued will be $1,200 ($1,400 if front-end mentoring) for a full-year stipend to the teacher mentor, $600 ($700 if front-end mentoring) for a half-year stipend to the teacher mentor, and $400 for the stipend to the administrator mentor.
The ADE sincerely regrets these financial limitations and is hopeful that in a stronger future economy, funds will become available to reinstate these valuable benefits.