Regulations

Regulations relevant to Induction and Mentoring are embedded within DESE's Licensure Regulations.

Specific areas of interest include:

Definitions, 603 CMR 7.02
Induction programs for teachers, 603 CMR 7.12
Induction programs for administrators, 603 CMR 7.13
50 Hours of mentoring requirement for professional licensure for teachers, 603 CMR 7.04 (2)(c)(4)

The regulations provide a baseline for districts' induction and mentoring programs. DESE strongly encourages districts to go beyond the minimum requirements as needed to ensure educators receive meaningful supports and leadership opportunities.

Learn more about these components in the 2015 Guidelines for Induction and Mentoring Programs .

Induction and Mentoring Program Required Components	Beginning Teacher new to the profession)	Incoming Teacher (new to the district/role)	Beginning Administrator (new to the profession)	Incoming Administrator (new to the district/role)
Orientation
Assigned Mentor		Recommended		Recommended
50 Hours of mentoring beyond induction year		Possibly.¹	Recommended	Recommended
Support team, including at a minimum a mentor and qualified evaluator		Recommended		Recommended
Release time for mentor and mentee		Recommended		Recommended
Time and resources to learn hiring, supervision and evaluation methods included in the Professional Standards for Administrators	Not Applicable	Not Applicable		Recommended

¹ A teacher new to the role or district who holds a Professional license has most likely already received 50 hours of mentoring beyond the induction year and would not be required to complete additional mentoring. However, a teacher who holds an Initial license who is either new to the role or district must fulfill this requirement in order to obtain a Professional license.

Last Updated: June 4, 2020