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| BTSA - Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is BTSA? BTSA, an acronym for "Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment", is a state-funded program, co-sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE) and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) designed to support the professional development of newly-credentialed, beginning teachers and fulfill the requirements for the California Clear Multiple and Single Subjects Credential. BTSA programs are locally designed and implemented in accordance with the Standards for Quality and Effectiveness for Professional Teacher Induction Programs, and are accredited by the CCTC to recommend candidates for the Ryan or 2042 Clear MS or SS Credential. To learn more about California's Learning To Teach System, BTSA Induction and local programs across the state, click on one of the following:
What is CFASST? CFASST is an acronym for "California Formative Assessment and Support System for Teachers." A state-designed system, CFASST is a support and formative assessment process used by most BTSA programs to assist beginning teachers' professional development. The support and assessment system is both structured and flexible, and consists of a series of events that focus teachers through a "plan, teach, reflect, apply" process, that blends teaching knowledge with performance. Intended for use by first- and second-year teachers with the assistance of an experienced teacher, it is grounded in a developmental view of teaching and integrates the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) [PDF] and the California Student Content Standards. What is CSTP? CSTP is an acronym for "California Standards for the Teaching Profession." It consists of a set of six standards that are intended to guide teachers as they define and develop their practice. The standards are organized around six interrelated categories of teaching practice, including: engaging and supporting all students in learning, creating and maintaining effective environments for student learning, understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning, planning instruction and designing learning experiences for all students, assessing student learning, and developing as a professional educator. What is CNTP? CNTP is an acronym for "California New Teacher Project". In 1988, California developed a plan and initiated a comprehensive evaluation of alternative methods of new teacher support and assessment. These efforts led to the California New Teacher Project (CNTP), which funded local programs to provide support and training for first-year and second-year teachers, and to pilot innovative assessments. Work on a descriptive framework of teaching was initiated for use in the CNTP. The framework was refined and revised based on the experience of local educators who had designed, operated and evaluated beginning teacher support programs. |