The bill amends the Teacher Residency Program under the Teacher Residency Act to enhance support for teaching residents and participating educational institutions. Key changes include increasing the stipend for teaching residents to eighty percent of the minimum salary for level 1 teachers, along with providing employer contributions for their health insurance. Additionally, the bill introduces new funding provisions, such as $4,000 for faculty at participating public post-secondary institutions or tribal colleges who provide co-teaching training, and $500 for each institution to help offset costs associated with supervising teaching residents.

Other amendments focus on ensuring ongoing support and commitment from teaching residents, including a post-completion commitment to serve a minimum of three years in the sponsoring school district and an expectation of employment from the partner school. The bill also emphasizes the importance of mentoring and professional development for teaching residents for at least one year after program completion, thereby aiming to strengthen the overall quality of teacher preparation and retention in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-10B-4