TEXAS BEGINNING EDUCATOR SUPPORT SYSTEM

The Texas Beginning Educator Support System (TxBESS), an initiative of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), is designed to provide systematic support for beginning teachers in their first year on the job. Supporting beginning teachers early in their careers leads to reduced turnover and a more experienced, better-qualified public school teaching staff. TxBESS is part of a coherent, standards-based system that begins with the state student standards and continues through pre-service preparation, induction, and in-service professional development.

Since implementing the TxBESS program, the district has experienced gains in teacher retention and job satisfaction. The Waco ISD made a district wide commitment to support the TxBESS program in the spring of 2002. Tracking results substantiated the implementation of a mentoring program when compared to state reports of 20% turnover.

For information on the mentoring program, contact Gary Bender at 755-9529.
gbender@wacoisd.org