SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced 14 local education agencies will share $2.1 million in Bilingual Teacher Training Program (BTTP) grants.  For a list of the grantees, please visit Funding Results: Bilingual Teacher Training Program.

"One out of every four students in California is learning to speak English, which means teachers have the enormous challenge of trying to communicate with and educate these children to meet our rigorous standards," said O'Connell.  "This number is expected to grow as California's student population grows, and so will the need for authorized teachers with specialized training to teach English learners."

BTTP funds support schools and districts in preparing kindergarten through grade twelve teachers for California Commission on Teacher Credentialing authorization to provide instructional services to English learners.  The 14 local education agencies provide specialized training to teachers throughout the state who are assigned to English learners. The training prepares teachers in the appropriate methods to help students learn English and achieve academically.

The California Legislature established BTTP in 1980 in response to the dramatic increase in the number of English language minority students in the state. The program began assisting districts in 1981 with developing and providing specialized staff development to teachers who were serving under bilingual teacher waivers and providing instructional services to students of limited English language proficiency. During the 2005-06 school year, BTTP centers provided training to more than 7,500 teachers preparing for special authorization to provide instructional services to English learners.

All 14 currently funded local education agencies with Bilingual Teacher Training Programs applied for continued annual funding and received it.  Advance funding of 25 percent will be sent upon receipt of proper documentation to the California Department of Education.  Then the grantees will receive quarterly payments of 25 percent. The last 25 percent payment will be determined by the grantee's year-end expenditure report submitted after the program's completion.  The grant amount was determined by a formula that was based on prior-year data for each grantee and evaluations that demonstrated their ability to provide appropriate training services.

For more information on BTTP, please visit Past Funding Profile (ID 801): Bilingual Teacher Training Program.