Sec. 21.802. PROGRAM COMPONENTS. The teacher residency program shall include:

(1) competitive admission requirements with multiple criteria;

(2) integration of pedagogy and classroom practice;

(3) rigorous master's level course work, while undertaking a guided apprenticeship at the partner area school district or open-enrollment charter school;

(4) a team mentorship approach to expose teaching residents to a variety of teaching methods, philosophies, and classroom environments;

(5) clear criteria for the selection of mentor teachers based on measures of teacher effectiveness and the appropriate subject area knowledge;

(6) measures of appropriate progress through the program;

(7) the collaboration with one or more regional education service centers or local nonprofit education organizations to provide professional development or other structured learning experiences for teaching residents;

(8) a livable stipend for teaching residents;

(9) a post-completion commitment by teaching residents to serve four years at schools that are difficult to staff;

(10) job placement assistance for teaching residents;

(11) support for teaching residents for not less than one year following the resident's completion of the program through the provision of mentoring, professional development, and networking opportunities;

(12) demonstration of the integral role and responsibilities of the partner area school district or open-enrollment charter school in fulfilling the purpose of the program; and

(13) monetary or in-kind contributions provided by the public institution of higher education, partner area school district, or open-enrollment charter school to demonstrate that the program may be sustained in the absence of grant funds or state appropriations.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 949 (H.B. 1752), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.