Section 35.50  Training for Mentors

a)         Prior to beginning the first assignment as a mentor under this Part, each experienced principal shall be required to complete a standardized training program prescribed by the State Superintendent of Education.  This training program shall be made available at no cost to the participating mentors and shall focus on equipping the participants to perform the functions outlined in Section 35.30.  The training program shall address areas of expertise including, but not limited to:

1)         the Professional Standards for Education Leaders (2015), adopted by the National Policy Board for Education Administration, 1904 Association Drive, Reston VA 20191 and posted at http://npbea.org/psel/. No later amendments to or editions of these standards are incorporated by this Section;

2)         ethics;

3)         principles of adult learning;

4)         establishing a mentoring relationship; and

5)         mentoring skills and techniques.

b)         In admitting individuals to the required training, entities approved under Section 35.60 shall give first priority to those who intend to be included in the pool of available mentors for the program as described in Section 35.20(d).  Other individuals may be accommodated if space permits.

c)         Each entity approved under Section 35.60 shall provide to the State Superintendent or designee a list identifying the individuals who have completed the required training sequence.

d)         Each entity approved under Section 35.60 shall be responsible for providing continuation training to its mentors, including notifying them during this training of any changes in the requirements for the mentoring program.  Each mentor who intends to continue providing service under this Part for the following year shall complete the continuation training.

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 13192, effective July 13, 2022)