The Texas Beginning Educator Support System (TxBESS) was created in 1999. TxBESS has provided training and support to approximately 5,000 new teachers since the spring of 2000. The three-year pilot program addresses three major goals: increasing teacher retention, assisting teachers in developing and refining sound teaching practices that support high-quality instruction, and improving student performance.

TxBESS is part of a coherent standards-based system that begins with the state student standards and continues through pre-service preparation, induction, and in-service professional development. Though still in the early stages of implementation, TxBESS is already improving teacher retention. During the first year, 88 percent of new teachers involved in TxBESS returned for a second year (as opposed to 80 percent a year earlier), and 98 percent returned to the classroom for their third year. In addition to the benefits for new teachers, veteran teachers who serve as mentors have reported an improvement in their own teaching skills.

Sources: Texas Beginning Educator Support System. (October 18, 2002.) "TxBESS Symposium to be held
April 29-30, 2002." The State Board for Educator Certification Website. Available
online at http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/txbess/symp.htm.

Charles A. Dana Center. (October 2001.) TxBESS Evaluation Report for Year Two, 2000-2001.
Charles A. Dana Center, University of Texas at Austin. Available online at
http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/txbess/2yearreport.pdf.

Texas Beginning Educator Support System. "About TxBESS." The State Board for Educator
Certification Website. Available online at http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/txbess/about.htm. 18 Oct 2002.

Charles A. Dana Center. (October 2001.) TxBESS Evaluation Report for Year Two, 2000-2001.
Charles A. Dana Center, University of Texas at Austin. Available online at
http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/txbess/2yearreport.pdf.

Texas Beginning Educator Support System. (October 18, 2002.) "TxBESS Symposium to be held
April 29-30, 2002." The State Board for Educator Certification Website. Available
online at http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/txbess/symp.htm.