Mentor Model Overview
The Alaska Statewide Mentor Project is built upon the nationally recognized model developed at the New Teacher Center (NTC). This research-based program has been shown to develop reflective teachers who are responsive to the diverse cultural backgrounds of all students.
Many studies have shown that there is a problem with teacher turnover brought about because of a "revolving door" of teachers. About half of new teachers in the U.S. leave the profession within their first five years. Additional research shows that mentored teachers not only stay in the profession longer than other teachers, but they achieve greater professional efficacy over the course of their careers, with greater gains in student achievement.
Overall, the average retention rate of ASMP teachers fluctuates around 79%, based on the number of first- and second-year, rural and urban teachers. Those who remain at the same school comprise the largest group each year, with far fewer moving between schools or moving to new districts, as shown in the following table. Prior to the implementation of ASMP, the historical retention rate for new teachers in the districts we serve most averaged about 68% over five years.
| Retention Rates |
2004 2005 |
2005 2006 |
2006 2007 |
2007 2008 |
2008 2009 |
2009 2010 |
2010 2011 |
2011 2012 |
2012 2013 |
2013 2014 |
2014 2015 |
2015 2016 |
2016 2017 |
2017 2018 |
2018 2019 |
2019 2020 |
2020 2021 |
2021 2022 |
| Overall | 79% | 78% | 77% | 81% | 79% | 87% | 82% | 74% | 81% | 81% | 84% | 82% | 86% | 75% | 74.5% | 81.8% | 82.1% | 78.2% |
| Same school | 71% | 71% | 66% | 72% | 69% | 73% | 75% | 66% | 69% | 70% | 73% | 69% | 75% | 65% | 68.5% | 70.8% | 69.9% | 63.0% |
| Same district | 7% | --- | 5% | 5% | 7% | 6% | 3% | 3% | 7% | 7% | 4% | 6% | 3% | 4% | 2.7% | 3.6% |
5.7% |
4.2% |
| New district | 1% | 7% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 8% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 6% | 8% | 6% | 5.4% | 7.3% |
6.5% |
10.9% |
| Rural | --- | 74% | 72% | 78% | 77% | 86% | 78% | 74% | 79% | 77% | 76% | 82% | 86% | 75% | 74.5% | 78.0% | 82.1% | 78.2% |
| Urban | --- | 92% | 93% | 91% | 86% | 89% | 92% | 80% | 88% | 90% | 92% | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Year 1 | --- | 76% | 96% | 84% | 83% | 90% | 84% | 77% | 84% | 82% | 85% | 78% | 88% | 80% | 73.8% | 84.4% | 83.3% | 62.7% |
| Year 2 | --- | 81% | 69% | 77% | 75% | 85% | 79% | 71% | 75% | 81% | 84% | 84% | 81% | --- | 75.4% | 74.1% | 81.0% |
63.9% |
*final data collection in progress, 84% response rate
The ASMP mentoring model includes:
-
- Exemplary retired teachers who mentor first and second-year early career teachers (ECT). (Each mentor works with approximately 15 early career teachers)
- On-going professional development for mentors, through eight, week-long Mentor Academies over a two-year period.
- Formative assessment tools to guide mentoring activities and keep ECTs focused on teaching standards and student learning.
There are two keys to the NTC Model. See the New Teacher Center website to learn more about the Mentor Professional Development and the Formative Assessment System.