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Senate advances grants program to support school principals' mentoring and induction
Summary
Senate Bill 99 would establish grants to fund mentoring, coaching and induction programs for school principals and leaders; sponsors said the measure responds to gaps in induction and coaching and advanced the bill to third reading by unanimous consent.
Senate Bill 99, a proposal to create a grants program funding mentoring, coaching and induction supports for school principals, was advanced on Feb. 18, 2020.
Sponsor explained the bill follows work by a task force and national partners to strengthen school‑leader standards and induction practices. The measure would establish a grants program available to local education agencies and groups of charter schools to help provide mentoring and coaching for principals, particularly new leaders. The sponsor noted that prior review found many districts lacked robust induction and coaching: "33% didn't have an induction program, 43 percent received no mentoring, and 71 percent received no coaching," and said the grants would enable districts or coalitions to contract for services.
Supporters said the program promotes local control because districts could determine how best to use grants and could contract with universities or other providers. Senator Miller said the program is intended to be locally driven, allowing districts to draw on Utah's colleges and universities for support.
The Senate recorded support and moved the bill for third reading; the floor record shows SB 99 was read for a third time by voice/recorded action and advanced (28 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent). The bill now proceeds to the House for further action.
