- How do you determine my participation in BTSA? The state of California has very strict guidelines for determining eligibility, which we follow closely. Basically, BTSA is for teachers in their first or second year of teaching in California with a California credential.
- I already have my Clear Teaching Credential or…I am a Special Ed teacher, not clearing a preliminary general ed credential. What am I doing here? Originally, BTSA was created to offer support and assistance to the beginning teacher as a solution to the high rate of attrition. In addition to this, a few years ago, the state declared BTSA to be a Commission-approved Induction program, granting us the authority to clear credentials. So, even though you may not be using our program to clear a credential, you will benefit from the support & assistance portion, and your participation in BTSA is an expectation of your school district. Using the analogy of a tree; Support & Assistance are the 'roots' of BTSA and Induction is a very important 'branch'. And the 'fruit'? You guessed it: a well-rounded & experienced teacher ready for a long and rewarding career!
- How much of my time is required to complete BTSA? This answer is somewhat dependant upon the participant, but on average, you can expect to meet with your Mentor 1 to 2 times per week for approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Additionally, you will spend time planning and reflecting on the techniques or strategies covered in the FAST curriculum. We'd like you to know that much effort has been spent incorporating your district's and site's professional development goals into your BTSA program in order to increase efficiency and relevance. You will have a much better idea of time requirements after you've met with your mentor.
- What if my preliminary teaching credential expires before I'm scheduled to complete the BTSA program? The time to act is NOW, before the actual expiration date. Make an appointment with your district's Human Resources department as soon as possible. The Personnel Specialist will be able to advise and direct you. A couple of possible options are:
- You may be able to appeal the state for a one year extension through the County Office of Education.
- Apply for an emergency credential.
- You may also qualify for the Early Completion Option (ECO). However, stringent restrictions apply.
- What is the Early Completion Option? The Early Completion Option (ECO) is a 13 month version of the 2 year BTSA program. This is for the teacher whose circumstances have qualified him/her for BTSA services, but who may have past experience and/or know-how that would allow for a condensed program. Make no mistake… this is not like the short version of Monopoly, as there are no short-cuts allowed. It would be more like eating a boullion cube instead of slowly sipping a hot cup of soup. Fast & Furious! The ECO application is open to all program participants who feel they meet the higher criteria of 'prior experience', 'exceptional practice' and 'high-performance'; all terminology found on the application. A word about what the ECO is NOT: The State is crystal clear that this option is not to be used in the case of an impending renewal expiration date. If you have found yourself in a situation whereby your preliminary credential will expire before you can complete a two-year BTSA program, you will not be granted ECO status based solely on your circumstances. However, this situation does not rule out the possibility of your qualifying for an ECO, based on the criteria stated in the above paragraph. Please contact your Program Advisor or the BTSA office to request an application or further information.
- What do I do if I am unable to attend a professional development meeting? Contact your mentor to reschedule another meeting or provide you with a make-up assignment. Be pro-active. Ultimately, obtaining BTSA completion status is your responsibility.
- What is the State BTSA Consent form? When is it due? This simple, yet critical on-line form allows the state to authenticate your participation and release the funds needed to implement your BTSA services. Typically, we ask you to complete the form sometime during the first four to six weeks of the school year. Look for emails from our office with detailed instructions for completing this task. It's not difficult, but because a computer is involved, it can sometimes cause a challenge. Do not hesitate to contact our office should you experience frustration at any point in the process. Most problems can be taken care of with a phone call and we are most happy to assist you.
- When and how do I complete the on-line State BTSA Survey? The Survey is almost identical to the Consent form, except it happens towards the end of the academic year and is a little more time-consuming. This is your chance to rate our program. We, and the State, take this survey very seriously and ask that you do the same. Please be honest and fair with your answers. We will send you an email when the Survey becomes available and since we expect 100% participation, you can expect to receive gentle reminders until you have completed it. We cannot see your answers, but the state lets us know who has and has not completed the survey.
- How will I get my Clear Credential? As long as you've done your part by completing all of the BTSA requirements, then the rest is up to us. Towards the end of your BTSA participation, our office will confirm some necessary contact information and upon your certified completion, will recommend you for a clear credential via the state's on-line system. Within hours you will be notified via email and will be given directions to complete the process. What used to take many weeks now can take minutes!
- If my question is not listed…Who do I ask? Please begin with your mentor. He or she has been specially trained in the FACT curriculum and has much experience with the BTSA program and the teaching profession.
If still needing direction, please contact
Anna Weidhofer
MCOE BTSA Director
831.755.4189
OR
Stella Flores
BSTA Secretary
831.755.0834