Welcome to BTSA
BTSA (Beginning Teacher Support and
Assessment) is a state-funded program designed to support
the professional development of beginning teachers in the
beginning years of the teaching profession.
Even well-prepared and well-credentialed new
teachers find the first few years to be challenging, demanding
and often discouraging. The purpose of BTSA is not only to
support best practices, but also to support new teachers in
surviving their first years in education. The BTSA Program
helps teachers begin their careers with support, assistance
and assessment-based information. Help for new teachers is
essential as districts push for rigorous curriculum,
standardized programs, and other programs to meet the needs of
all learners. Because our expectations are higher than ever,
we need excellent teachers prepared for meeting the needs of
all students.
The
BTSA Program has been successful in helping new teachers meet
the challenges of new classrooms, new schedules, supportive
environments, content area expertise and behavior
management. BTSA pairs Participating Teachers (PTs) to
experienced Support Providers (SPs) that guide them through
the first years of teaching through mentoring, modeling and
reflective conversations.
A
few new teachers are candidates for the Early Completion
Option (ECO). These teachers complete both years of BTSA
activities in one year’s time. A Participating Teacher must
meet certain requirements to be recommended for ECO and the
option requires a letter from the PT’s school district stating
they agree the PT is a good candidate for this option.
SCOE’s accredited and locally designed BTSA
Induction Program includes:
- Support Provider Training and advanced
coaches' training
- Grade-Alike Meetings that focus on
topics specific to the grade level or content area
- 4 mandatory all day collaborative events a year
(Participating Teachers and Support Providers attend
together) Saturday options available
- A Leadership Team consisting of lead
facilitators, the consultant and the director
- Regular BTSA Council Meetings (District
Coordinators and Lead SPs)
- Monthly regional BTSA program and IHE
collaborative meetings
- Administrators' Academy (once a
year - choice of two dates)
-
A Formative Assessment Binder completed
by the PT and SP together over the two years of
collaborative events
and built on the CSTPs, BTSA Induction standards and
California content standards
The BTSA Administrative Staff includes:
- The BTSA Director
- Part Time Consultant
- Professional Development Coordinator
- Two Event Planning Specialists
The BTSA staff is located at the Stanislaus County Office of
Education. Each district has a District Coordinator (DC) who
acts as a liaison between school districts/sites
(Participating Teachers, Support Providers, and Site
Administrators) and the SCOE BTSA Induction
Program.
The
advisory board, comprised of superintendents or designees of
participating districts, county offices of education, and
university partners provide policy decisions and fiscal
oversight to the regional program. In addition, the BTSA
Director is a member of an Institute for Higher Learning (IHE) group that collaborates to
assure the continuum of services for the participating teacher
and the smooth transition to Induction within the Learning to
Teach Continuum (SB 2042).
If you are interested in
participating in the BTSA Induction Program, contact your
District BTSA Coordinator.
Participating Districts/COEs
|
Big Valley Christian |
Riverbank |
| Calaveras COE |
SCOE- Military Academy |
| Ceres |
SCOE- Valley Charter |
|
Connecting Waters Charter |
Tuolumne COE |
| Denair |
Turlock Christian |
| Empire |
Turlock |
|
Gratton |
|
|
Great Valley Academy |
|
| Keyes |
|
|
Knights Ferry |
|
|
Newman-Crowslanding |
|
|
Oakdale |
|
|
Paradise |
|
|
Patterson |
|
Comments from BTSA Beginnings
Teachers...
"At
a time when I was starting to drown, the BTSA lifesaver has
been thrown my way. I am hoping for valid information to
support, challenge and assess me during the big year one."
"I
never would have thought of creating an investigative
portfolio if I hadn't had BTSA, and it was a good
thing!"
"The program has been very helpful. Everyone
involved was wonderful and supportive. Having a mentor allowed
me to vent my concerns and frustrations. This really helped.
As a new teacher, I'm not really sure if what I'm doing is
right. Having someone give me feedback and suggestions helped
me focus on the areas for improvement. This program was
great."
"BTSA has been a great part of my growing,
teaching experience."
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