Induction policies for beginning teachers: the Chilean experience and challenges for Latin America

Abstract

The topic of beginning teacher induction of has been gaining relevance in educational policies aimed at developing the teaching profession. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discussion on the challenges of inducting teachers who are beginning to practice the profession in Latin America. A consideration is presented regarding the need to produce the devices required to support teachers during their insertion into professional practice and a brief discussion about different strategies tested and models of accompaniment or mentoring. Along with briefly presenting some experiences carried out in Latin American countries, we delve into the experience developed in Chile, from its beginnings in the early 2000s to the latest advances embodied in the Law that creates the Teacher Professional Development System, which considers a national induction system, recognizing the right of all novice teachers to receive support through mentors with teaching experience and specialized training. The article ends with a consideration on the path covered and challenges that the new educational scenarios will impose on the entry of teachers to their professional practice.