Mentoring & Induction Frequently Asked Questions

Forms and related program information.

Q: Our district has a beginning administrator and wants to use the SAI program to provide mentoring and induction support. How do I sign up?

Your district is required to include in your CSIP a mentoring and induction plan for beginning administrators regardless of whether you have a beginning administrator in any given year.

If your district intends to use the SAI program in 2009-10 to meet Chapter 284A requirements, you will need to complete new paperwork (if you used the SAI program last year, discard forms from 2008-09). 

Please do the following.

1. Include a copy of the PROGRAM DESCRIPTION in your district’s CSIP.
2. Sign and return the AGREEMENT to SAI. We will sign and return a copy for your district files.
3. As soon as you hire a beginning administrator, complete the PARTICIPANT ENROLLMENT form and send to SAI.
4. Review the PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS with your district's administrative mentee. Please stress the importance of complying with these expectations.
5. Inform the beginning administrator, prior to his/her participation in the Mentoring and Induction Program, of your district’s evaluation procedures for administrators. Specifically, the beginning administrator must be informed of the criteria upon which s/he will be evaluated and of the evaluation process utilized by the district/AEA (per Iowa Code section 284A.5).
6. Provide a copy of the AGREEMENT to your business manager to inform him/her of the financial arrangements.

Note: You do not need to secure a mentor for your beginning administrator; this is part of the service provided by SAI.

Q: Our district wants to use the SAI program to meet the requirements of Chapter 284A, but we do not currently have a beginning administrator. What should we do?

Follow steps 1 & 2 above.

Q: We have a new administrator for whom the district will not receive state funds. Can s/he participate in the SAI program?

We welcome the participation of all new administrators. Your district will receive state funding for new principals and superintendents. The Wallace Foundation will fund participation for other administrators with initial licenses. If the new administrator does not meet either of these criteria, district funds may be used to support his/her participation (the cost is $1,500 per administrator).

Q: I am a new superintendent and wish to register myself for the SAI program. What should I do?

New superintendents (in their first superintendent position) can enroll themselves for the SAI program by following the steps above.

Q: Who is responsible for finding a mentor for the beginning administrator?

SAI will obtain the mentor for the beginning administrator.

Q: Can my district or the mentee request someone specific to be assigned as a mentor?

SAI will assign mentors, using the recommendations of AEAs and the willingness of those recommended to serve in the mentor role. We will make every effort to match individuals from similar size schools/districts in geographic proximity and in similar positions. Generally, mentors will be practicing administrators from outside the district. We make it a practice to avoid assigning a mentor who is the formal supervisor of the mentee. Although specific requests are considered, there is no assurance they will be honored.

Q: How will mentees be notified of their mentors?

SAI will send an e-mail message to mentees informing them of their assigned mentor. (Mentors will be encouraged to get in touch with the new administrator as soon as possible, so contact may be made before notice is received from SAI.)