Program Description/ Goals

Palmdale School District's Teacher Induction Program & Support (TIPS) strives to provide a significant and meaningful program of support, self-assessment and ongoing reflection of practice. TIPS works to cultivate the skills and knowledge of each candidate while simultaneously working to improve student achievement. The program is designed to improve classroom practice of candidates and develop teachers who are responsive to the diverse cultural, social, and linguistic backgrounds of all students in the district. The program includes mentor teacher support for each eligible teacher in the district for two years and professional development opportunities for candidates and mentors as determined by individual candidate assessment and goals.

The program is based on a clearly defined set of goals and outcomes designed around the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) and Teacher Induction Standards to support new teacher growth and student achievement.

* Develop teacher capacity as defined in the CSTPs and Teacher Induction Program Standards

* Ensure qualified candidates receive professional clear teaching credential

* Direct meanginful support toward's improving student achievement

* Advance the skills and knowledge of candidates

* Use focused cycles of inquiry in the mentoring activiteis

* Document professional growth over time

* Model and encourage ongoing self-assessment and reflection

* Foster collaboration and leadership among teachers

* Increase teacher retention