Rookie/Mentor Programs

[paxsonref]

the program that we have set up now works as follows: when an official feels they are ready to move up to the varsity level, they can enter the rookie program, which consists of going to 10 games with various varsity officials (here we generally work a B-game and a varsity game) The rookie will work the entire B-game(with no pay), the veterans will each work a half with the other observing and critiquing, then the veterans will work the varsity game with the rookie observing. The rookies are then rated after every game and given feedback on their performance, and if at the end of the 10 games, all the veteran officials felt that they would be ready to move up next year to varsity games, then the next year they could be assigned some games. Those who we felt were not ready would have to repeat the program until enough strides were made to advance. The problem is that some veteran officials dont want to be the bad guy and tell the rookies that they need alot of work, therefore some officials who are not ready to be working a varsity contest are being assigned games. Its not a perfect system by any means, which is why I am in search of alternate ideas used by others. Thanks again for any feedback.