The bill establishes a three-year School Supervisor Mentorship Pilot Program aimed at enhancing the leadership pipeline within New Jersey's educational institutions, including school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools. It defines a "novice supervisor" as an individual in their first year of a supervisory role who is appropriately certified. The program will support these novice supervisors through a one-year mentoring cycle, guided by the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. The Commissioner of Education is tasked with developing program guidelines and partnering with a nonprofit organization that specializes in professional learning and mentoring for school leaders. The nonprofit will select cohorts of novice supervisors annually, ensuring a diverse representation from various regions and community types across the state.
Additionally, the bill allocates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Education to implement the program. At the conclusion of the pilot, the Commissioner, in collaboration with the nonprofit, will report on the program's effectiveness and provide recommendations for its future. The act is set to take effect immediately but will first apply to the full school year following its enactment, allowing for necessary preparatory actions by the Commissioner.