The Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Induction Program (BTSA) is a statewide and state-mandated research based program of support and skill building designed to meet the needs of beginning educators in California through formative assessment and individualized support based on assessment.  As of 2003, BTSA is the teacher credential avenue approved by CCTC as the Induction Program for beginning and out of state educators.  BTSA is co-administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).  There are over 150 BTSA Programs in the State of California.

• Butte County Office of Education BTSA Induction Program serves all 14 districts and collaborates with CSU, Chico
• BTSA pairs teachers in their first or second year (participating teacher -PT) with experienced teachers (support provider - SP) to support teaching and learning in each classroom
• The BTSA Induction Program focuses upon the California Academic Content Standards, Student Assessment, Lesson Design and Delivery
• BTSA support is aligned with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP)

BTSA Induction Services Include:

• Formative Assessment Seminars for Support Providers and Participating Teachers

• Weekly "in class" support followed by PT meeting time with SP

• Professional growth credit for Support Providers.

BTSA Program Goals

• Provide an effective transition into teaching for 1st and 2nd year teachers
• Provide a route for out-of-state teachers to receive their California Credential
• Provide a quality Induction/Credential Program
• Improve student performance and assessment through training and assistance
• Provide dialogue and understanding of CSTP
• Ensure the professional success of Participating Teachers and Support Providers

Butte County BTSA Induction Program Infrastructure

• BTSA Policy Council –  Members are district superintendent or designee and University Education Department Personnel.  Four meetings per year.  Responsible to determine program policy and credential completion verification.
• Site Administrator – Meet with Support Provider and Participating Teacher two times per year to support the formative assessment system.  Site Administrator will also review the Participating Teacher professional plan for site-based relevancy.  Site Administrators attend BTSA Briefings for updates on changes in state legislation, which affects the BTSA Induction Program.
• Support Provider – Veteran teacher matched with Participating Teacher for on-going, site based classroom instructional support.
• Participating Teacher – Beginning educator (zero or one year teaching experience) and Out of State credential teachers seeking a California teaching credential.
• Program Administrator – Responsible to manage the Induction program.

NECTEC LAS - Northeastern California Teacher Education Collaborative Local Assessment System

A Focused Exploration
New teachers participate in an in-depth look at their teaching practices over the course of induction and complete four different Inquiries.  Within NECTEC LAS, Participating Teachers use the process of Plan, Teach, Reflect, Apply in each inquiry to:

• explore their current teaching strategies
• gather evidence about their teaching and about student learning
• work on "next steps" in their growth as a professional educator

Each Inquiry focuses on specific California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) and on specific Induction Standards.

A Collaborative Program:

• Blue Oak Charter
• California State Department of Education and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

• California State University, Chico and the Butte County School Districts

• Bangor Unified

• Biggs Unified

• Butte County Office Schools

• Chico Country Day

• Chico Unified

• Durham Unified

• Feather Falls Union 

• Golden Feather Union

• Gridley Unified            

• Manzanita Elementary

• Nord Country School          

• Oroville City Elementary

• Oroville Union High

• Palermo Union

• Paradise Unified

• Pioneer Union

• Private Schools

• Thermalito Union

For More Information

Nikol Baker, Administrator
VOICE: (530) 532-5811
FAX: (530) 532-5828
E-MAIL: nbaker@bcoe.org

Cheryl Roberson, BTSA Support Staff
VOICE: (530) 532-5802
FAX: (530) 532-5828
E-MAIL: croberso@bcoe.org

 

"I am totally sold on the new BTSA and see it as valuable and a springboard for conversations about good teaching and student achievement.  Without BTSA, I am not sure our new teachers would examine their practice nearly to the degree to which we ask them."

- Support Provider, Spring 2008

 

"My Support Provider inspires and encourages me. I'm not afraid to ask questions, I don't worry about observations or our interactions. His professionalism, dedication to education, and care for people has kept me motivated to improve my teaching skills."

- Participating Teacher, Spring 2008