Beginning Educator Support Team Grants
Forecasted
Beginning Educator Support Team Grants support first-year educators in Washington schools through induction, mentoring, and professional learning to strengthen educator practice and student success.
Funder: Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (Annual application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Allocations based on prior funding, first-year educator counts, and statutory funding priorities
Summary: BEST supports comprehensive induction, mentoring, and professional learning for first-year educators in Washington schools.
Key Information: Grant funds support first-year educators only, and applicants must implement OSPI’s required induction components.
Description
The Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) program, administered by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), awards competitive grants to support comprehensive induction for first-year educators. Funding supports paid instructional orientation, qualified mentors, individualized professional learning, mentor development, and time for educators and mentors to work together. The program follows OSPI’s research-based Standards for Beginning Educator Induction.
BEST seeks to build district capacity and shared responsibility for novice educator and student success. Programs help educators understand evaluation processes, receive nonevaluative feedback, and develop their practice. Priorities include connecting educators from underrepresented populations with mentors who have strong ties to those populations. Grantees evaluate program strengths and gaps, beginning educator retention, and positive impacts on student growth.
