Contra Costa County/Saint Mary's College
Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Induction Program

Teacher Development & Induction Coordinator,
925.942.5326

Overview

Who we are: A consortium of the Contra Costa County Office of Education and the following school districts in Contra Costa and Alameda County:
Acalanes, Albany, Emery, John Swett, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Piedmont, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek and the CCCOE Student Services.

Who participates: Teachers eligible for BTSA are in their first and second year of credentialed teaching. Out of state teachers with less than five years experience can also be in the program

The Details

BTSA Induction Program
Teachers are not “finished products” when they complete a teacher preparation program. Guided entry into teaching, via residencies and mentored induction, should become a standard feature of every high quality teacher preparation approach.
No Dream Denied by
National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, January 2003

The Contra Costa County Office of Education BTSA Induction program was formed over ten years ago with Saint Mary’s College to support the professional growth of new teachers and the transition into teaching. BTSA is a state grant that provides funding for new teachers in their first years of teaching. New teachers may receive a professional clear teaching credential by completing all induction requirements. CCCOE BTSA program provides training for mentors to assist new teachers in their professional growth through the use of the Santa Cruz New Teacher Formative Assessment System. Mentors in the program are full time classroom teachers, partial or fully released teachers from the classroom or Saint Mary’s College mentors. All mentors receive training in best practices for working with new teachers. Mentors meet weekly with new teachers, observe their classrooms and provide feedback. Support is based on the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and Standards of Quality and Effectiveness for Professional Teacher Induction Programs. Participants have additional opportunities for professional development through Saint Mary’s College, the University of San Diego, District Workshops and other outside district workshops.

BTSA Induction Program: CCCOE provides the requirements for new teachers to receive California Professional Clear Credential.

Links

Support Provider Summer FAS (Formative Assessment System) Training through the Santa Cruz New Teacher Center