KRS 161.031 required the Education Professional Standards Board to develop standards and guidance for school districts to implement new teacher induction and mentor programs. The Kentucky Educator Mentorship Program (KEMP) guidance document provides the statutory components as well as guidance to assist districts in designing and implementing programs to meet district needs.

Induction and Mentoring Programs

The purpose of new teacher induction and mentoring programs is to support teachers who are new to the profession by providing the guidance and resources they need to start a successful teaching career. This is achieved by pairing them with an experienced mentor teacher. The program helps new teachers gain a deeper understanding of instructional strategies, teaching techniques, district and school procedures, requirements, and expectations specific to their grade level or subject area.

KEMP Guidance Document

The guidance document provides districts an overview of the statutory requirements for each district-level induction and mentoring program as well as considerations to include in their plan. For districts that are currently operating an induction and mentoring program, the information provided can serve as a checkpoint to identify current practices and ensure the minimum requirements are met in the current plan. While districts have extreme flexibility in developing their local induction and mentoring programs, there are some minimum requirements all plans must meet. This guidance is intended to help districts create and implement induction and mentoring plans to improve pedagogical skills of new teachers, retain new teachers by providing support, and assist new teachers as they transition from preservice to a professional career.