Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this purpose, the superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules to establish and operate a teacher assistance program. For the purposes of this section, the terms "mentor teachers," "beginning teachers," and "experienced teachers" may include any person possessing any one of the various certificates issued by the superintendent of public instruction under RCW 28A.410.010. Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this purpose, the program shall provide for:

     (1) Assistance by mentor teachers who will provide a source of continuing and sustained support to beginning teachers, or experienced teachers who are having difficulties, or both, both in and outside the classroom. A mentor teacher may not be involved in evaluations under RCW 28A.405.100 of a teacher who receives assistance from said mentor teacher under the teacher assistance program established under this section. The mentor teachers shall also periodically inform their principals respecting the contents of training sessions and other program activities;

     (2) Stipends for mentor teachers and beginning and experienced teachers which shall not be deemed compensation for the purposes of salary lid compliance under RCW 28A.400.200: PROVIDED, That stipends shall not be subject to the continuing contract provisions of this title;

     (3) Workshops for the training of mentor and beginning teachers;

     (4) The use of substitutes to give mentor teachers, beginning teachers, and experienced teachers opportunities to jointly observe and evaluate teaching situations and to give mentor teachers opportunities to observe and assist beginning and experienced teachers in the classroom;

     (5) Mentor teachers who are superior teachers based on their evaluations, pursuant to RCW 28A.410.025 and 28A.405.030 through28A.405.240 , and who hold valid continuing certificates;

     (6) Mentor teachers shall be selected by the district and may serve as mentors up to and including full time. If a bargaining unit, certified pursuant to RCW 41.59.090 exists within the district, classroom teachers representing the bargaining unit shall participate in the mentor teacher selection process; and

     (7) Periodic consultation by the superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee with representatives of educational organizations and associations, including educational service districts and public and private institutions of higher education, for the purposes of improving communication and cooperation and program review.

[2009 c 539 § 5; 1993 c 336 § 401; 1991 c 116 § 19; 1990 c 33 § 403; 1987 c 507 § 1; 1985 c 399 § 1. Formerly RCW 28A.405.450, 28A.67.240.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2009 c 539: See note following RCW 28A.655.200.

     Findings -- Intent -- Part headings not law -- 1993 c 336: See notes following RCW 28A.150.210.

     Findings -- 1993 c 336: See note following RCW 28A.150.210.

     Effective date -- 1987 c 507: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect June 15, 1987." [1987 c 507 § 4.]