BT Requirements

Beginning Teacher Support Program

The Beginning Teacher Support Program is a three-year period of support and assessment for beginning teachers. The initial (Standard Professional 1) license, which is valid for three years, allows the teacher to begin practicing the profession on an independent basis. At the end of the three-year period, the teacher is either granted or denied a continuing license. Beginning teachers employed prior to January 1, 1998, are eligible for continuing license on the recommendation of the employing Local Education Agency (LEA) based on three years of successful teaching as evidenced by the current State Board of Education approved evaluation instrument/processes. Beginning teachers employed after January 1, 1998, are eligible for continuing license based on three years of teaching experience and successful completion of Performance-Based Licensure requirements, provided the designated official in the employing LEA, charter school, or non-public institution has no knowledge of any reason related to conduct or character to deny an individual teacher a continuing license.

All teachers who have not attained career status shall be observed at least three times annually by a
qualified school administrator or a designee and at least once annually by a career teacher and shall be evaluated at least once annually by a qualified school administrator.

The Beginning Teacher Support Program is a three-year program that extends professional education preparation and offers the assessment and support necessary for an individual’s professional growth.