"A caring, competent, and qualified teacher for every child is the most important ingredient in education reform."
Report of the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, What Matters Most:  Teaching for America's Future, 1996.

What is the Fontana Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Induction Program?

The California BTSA Program was established by legislation in 1992.  This two-year program provides opportunities for fully prepared (those with a preliminary credential or a professional clear credential) first and second year teachers to expand and deepen their teaching knowledge and skill.  Many out-of-state and out-of-country trained teachers, with multiple years of experience, are also eligible for BTSA Induction.  Contact the BTSA Coordinator for more information.

The Fontana BTSA Induction Program received approval in August 2003 from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) to offer an approved Induction Program.  Preliminary credential candidates can fulfill many requirements through their work in BTSA Induction.  The program meets the requirements of the fifth year of study and, for some, the health, special education, and computer technology courses.  Upon completion of the Fontana BTSA Induction Program most candidates are ready to apply for a professional clear credential.

Teachers with a professional clear credential who are in their first or second year of teaching can receive up to 75 clock hours per year of professional growth toward the renewal of their credential.  The Fontana BTSA Induction Program is a two-year program.

BTSA is based on the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) and uses the Formative Assessment for California Teachers (FACT).

Goals of the BTSA Induction Program

• Improve the educational performance of students through better classroom instruction facilitated by improved training and support of beginning teachers.
• Hold all beginning teachers to high standards and expectations to ensure academic success for all students.
• Promote professional success and retention of beginning teachers through a strong and nurturing support system.
• Provide consistent and intensive support for each new teacher by a trained and experienced Support Provider.

The Fontana BTSA Induction, in partnership with the University of San Diego, offers all participants the opportunity to obtain five graduate level extension units per year for their work in BTSA/FACT.  The unit cost of $55 per unit is the responsibility of the participating teacher.

Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Links

• BTSA Steering Committee

• Grade Level Network Trainings

• Graduate Level Credit Opportunity

• New Teacher Information

• Support Providers

• Support Provider Meetings

• BTSA Midyear Survey:
       Participating Teacher
       Support Provider
       Site Administrator