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)
• SB 1209 Transitional Cohorts to support PTs wanting to complete induction requirements under the old BTSA induction standards
• 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
• A Formal Observation that proves Implementation of best practices and Universal Access

The BTSA Administrative Staff includes:

• The BTSA Director
• Part Time Consultant
• Professional Development Coordinator
• Three 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).

Participating Districts/COEs
 

Big Valley Christian	Oakdale
Calaveras COE	Our Lady of Fatima
Ceres	Paradise
Chatom	Patterson
Denair	Riverbank
East Valley Education Center	Roberts Ferry
Empire	SCOE-Valley Charter
Gratton	St. Stanislaus
Great Valley Charter	Stanislaus Union
Hart Ransom USD	Sylvan
Hickman	Tuolumne COE
Hughson	Turlock
Keyes	Valley Home
Newman/Crowslanding	Waterford

 

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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