Mike Honda: “This amendment, based on legislation I introduced earlier this year, the Teacher Mentoring Act, would permit the use of…”

“This amendment, based on legislation I introduced earlier this year, the Teacher Mentoring Act, would permit the use of grant funds to be used for teacher mentoring programs and is supported by the American Federation of Teachers. As a former teacher and principal, I can attest to the critical role teacher mentoring programs play in preparing and retaining teachers for the many challenges they will face. Teacher retention rates remain a critical problem for our Nation's schools. According to the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, nearly a quarter of new teachers quit by the end of their second year, and almost half leave within 5 years. This revolving-door phenomenon is particularly problematic in high-poverty schools, where the turnover rate is almost one-third higher than the national average. Teachers who leave the profession often point to support programs for beginning teachers as a key to increasing retention rates.”