NOTE: Funding for this program is now flexible pursuant to Education Code Section 42605. LEAs may utilize all of their program funds for 2008-09 through 2012-13 to provide services for the program or they may use all or part of their program funds for other educational purposes and/or other categorical programs. For additional information, please refer to the Action on the 2008 and 2009 Budget Acts Web page.
All statutes, regulations, and requirements associated with the Bilingual Teacher Training Program are suspended during the flexibiiity period, 2008-09 through 2012-13.
Training for K-12 Teachers to Become Authorized to Provide Instruction to ELs
The Bilingual Teacher Training Program (BTTP) assists kindergarten through grade twelve teachers, who already possess a basic credential, to attain authorizations required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to provide English Language Development (ELD), specially designed academic instruction in English (SDAIE), and primary language instructional services to English learners (ELs).
Established in 1980, the legal authority for BTTP is provided in California Education Code (EC) sections 52180-52186. Visit California Law (Outside Source) for the statute. See English Learners for programs and resources.
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (Outside Source) provides information regarding the credentialing of teachers to provide instruction to ELs. For information on specific credential requirements, or Commission approved professional preparation programs, teachers may contact CTC. Phone and e-mail contact information is available on the CTC Web site.
The California Department of Education Web site also provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions on ELs in California and authorizations for teachers of ELs.
CTEL Training
On June 1, 2005, the CTC approved knowledge, skills, and abilities for the California Teachers of English Learners (CTEL) Examination. This examination will provide a pathway to EL authorization for veteran teachers and teachers trained outside of California seeking authorization to teach ELs. The BTTP has developed curriculum and currently offers training to prepare teachers for this examination. The CTEL examination has replaced the Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) examination.
Certificate of Completion of Staff Development (Certificate)
EC Section 44253.10 required the CTC to issue a certificate of completion of a CTC-approved staff development program. The CCSD authorizes a veteran teacher to provide ELD and/or SDAIE to ELs. On July 8, 2004, Assembly Bill 2913 (Chapter 169, Statutes of 2004) extended the January 1, 2005, deadline for the completion of this staff development program to January 1, 2008. The CCSD is no longer available to veteran teachers unless they meet eligibility requirements clarified in Senate Bill 1292 (Chapter 752, Statutes of 2006) for Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers and for holders of service credentials with a special class authorization.
Bilingual Authorization: Examination
The California Subject Examination for Teachers for Languages Other Than English (CSET: LOTE) Subtest III (specific language), Subtest IV (Bilingual Methodology), and Subtest V (Bilingual Culture) provide a means to bilingual authorization through examination. Beginning December 2007, the BCLAD series was replaced by CSET:LOTE Subtests III, IV, and V. Subtests IV and V are offered four times a year as well as Subtest III for Spanish and French. Subtest III, the language examination for less represented languages, will be offered twice a year.
BTTP Sites
Fourteen centers within eleven statewide regions provide training to support teachers in attaining authorization to provide SDAIE and ELD instruction to ELs. BTTP centers also offer classes to help teachers fulfill the second language requirement for bilingual authorization and to prepare for the CSET: LOTE examinations.
BTTP centers will continue to support the implementation of new proposals and laws governing the preparation and development of teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals serving ELs.
Contact the BTTP Regional Support Center nearest you about training in your area.
Funding
Funding Results for Fiscal Year 2009-10
