I, the undersigned Superintendent of the Burbank Unified School District, which sponsors the Teacher Induction Program, submit this letter of verification as evidence that this Lead Educational Agency (LEA) shall adhere to the following requirement of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the Committee on Accreditation in order to sponsor an approved Induction Program.

Sponsorship of Induction Program Letter

Approval of BUSD Induction Program Board Meeting Minutes - see page 361 (pdf pg. 18)

I certify the Burbank Unified Teacher Induction Program shall ensure program availability ta all enrolled candidates until the candidate completes the program, withdraws from the program, is dropped from the program based on established criteria, or is admitted to another approved program to complete requirements with minimal disruption.

In the event the program closes, BUSD has two potential completion pathways far our induction candidates. Pathway one: BUSD commits to retaining the staff and resources necessary to continue in operation all of our enrolled candidates complete the program requirements necessary for the clear credential authorization. Pathway two: Individuals who need to complete induction, and for whatever reason are unable ta do so with BUSD, will be directed to join neighboring Glendale Unified School District's New Teacher Induction Program. Transportability documents will be provided to all participants needing to exit BUSD's program to enter GUSD's. New hires needing induction will be directed to Glendale Unified School District's program at the point of hire.

1. The Burbank Unified School District assures the BUSD District Superintendent , who serves as the Unit Head, is responsible for ongoing oversight of the BUSD Teacher Induction Program.  The attached organizational chart identifies the relationship between this position and the individual(s) who oversee & coordinate the Burbank Unified Teacher Induction Program.
   
   
2. The Induction Coordinators directly report to the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services and the BUSD Induction Advisory Committee (IAC), which includes representatives from the teaching and mentoring populations, the Director of Elementary Education, a principal, former induction program participants, a liaison from California State University, Northridge’s Educator Preparation Program, and the former induction program coordinator from BUSD.  The Induction Program Coordinators supervise the work of mentors, acknowledges completion of participating teachers, and reports to the BUSD IAC, which serves as important oversight for the induction program.
   
   
3. The BUSD Teacher Induction Program ensures that credential recommendations are completed by the program coordinators and with the knowledge and consent of the district credential analysts.  Only authorized submitters will make credential recommendations according to program procedure.

BUSD Organizational Chart

BUSD Credential Recommendation Procedures

I verify that all personnel decisions in Burbank Unified School District are made without consideration of differences due to gender or other constitutionally or legally prohibited considerations.  These decisions include the admission, retention, graduation, or promotion of candidates, and decisions regarding employment, retention, or promotion of employees.

BUSD Employee Handbook/Website (Page 33/34 plus website home page)

Teacher Induction Candidate Agreement

I certify the BUSD Teacher Induction Program: (a) fulfills all the applicable standards of program quality and effectiveness adopted by the Commission, (b) assures that all candidates participating in public school-based field activities hold a Certificate of Clearance from the Commission (c) cooperates in evaluation of the program by an external team or a monitoring of the program by a Commission staff member, and (d) participates fully in the Commission’s accreditation system, including the timely submission of documents required for accreditation.  

I confirm the Burbank Unified School District shall ensure that the Teacher Induction Program Coordinators report and respond to all requests from the Commission on Accreditation for data including but not limited to, program enrollment, program completers, examination results, and state and federal reporting within the time limits specified by the Commission.  I understand as an approved California Teacher Induction Program, we have the responsibility to review and update institutional contact information annually. Institutional contact information will be updated annually by Jill Johnson and Rebecca Mieliwocki, coordinators of the BUSD Teacher Induction Program.

I positively affirm the veracity of all statements, documents, and information submitted to the Commission on behalf and in support of the BUSD Teacher Induction Program.

I confirm BUSD’s Teacher Induction Program has a clearly delineated grievance process for all candidates and applicants.  The grievance process is readily available to all candidates via the program website, induction handbook, and is communicated to participants during induction PLC’s .  Grievances filed are sent to the district administrator who serves on the Induction Advisory Committee and are responded to within 10 business days.

District Teacher Induction Website

Induction Handbook

Grievance Protocol

Informal Grievance Appeal

Formal Grievance Appeal

Local Education Agencies are not required to address this precondition.  

I certify that the Burbank Unified School District will provide easily accessible and accurate information to the public, prospective educators, and enrolled candidates about the requirements for admission and successful completion for all its educator preparation programs.  This information is housed on the Burbank Unified School District website, on the Human Resources page.

BUSD website/induction page and handbook.

I confirm the BUSD Teacher Induction Program maintains and retains all records in accordance with the record retention policy of  Burbank Unified School District. Candidates have access to their individual work efforts and records via Google Classroom, a password dependent, protected platform. Upon completion of each semester of the program, candidates receive a signed completion log verifying the successful completion of all work requirements for that term.  Upon successful completion of the induction program, a transcript issued to each candidate further documents successful recommendation for the Clear Credential. Participants who exit the program before completion may request transportability documents (transcripts) which show current status in their induction pathway to new program providers.  The Induction Program maintains copies of all records in a file cabinet located in Instructional Services for a period of 4 years.

BUSD transportability document

I verify the Burbank Unified School District Teacher Induction Program does not use any outside entity to provide direct educational services to candidates.  

Signed:                                         Date: 3/12/2019

Dr. Matt Hill

Superintendent

Burbank USD

Each Induction Program must be designed to provide a two-year, individualized, job-embedded system of mentoring, support and professional learning that that begins in the teacher’s first year of teaching.

Burbank Unified School District provides a two-year, individualized, job-embedded program to all newly employed teachers possessing a preliminary General Education or Education Specialist credential. Upon hire, the district's credential analysts informs teachers of their responsibility within 30 days to enroll in the Induction program to receive mentoring and support in the first year of teaching. Eligible candidates receive program enrollment documents including program roles and responsibilities and candidate agreement form. These documents solidify the candidate’s agreement to participate, and understanding of the state requirements of the two-year Induction program.

Once enrolled, credential candidates must demonstrate growth toward mastery and competency in California Standards for the Teaching Profession. The vehicle by which this competency is demonstrated and assessed is the Individualized learning Plan, a teacher-driven inquiry plan that allows the teacher to choose areas of focus, create a plan of action, attend two self-reflected professional learning workshops (PDs) per semester which align with their inquiry, gather impact data and refelct on outcomes. Guiding this process are the new teacher's mentor and induction program coordinators. As part of induction, the new teachers are expected to observe effective colleagues in the district as well as be observed by their mentor. Two capstone activities are required at the culmination of each year: an essay at the end of year one and an exit interview at the end of year two.

The Induction Program must identify and assign a mentor to each participating teacher within the first 30 days of the participant’s enrollment in the program, matching the mentor and participating teacher according to credentials held, grade level and/or subject area, as appropriate to the participant’s employment.

Program coordinators work in close collaboration with our Human Resources Credential Analysts to review new hires needing induction program services.  Once potential candidates are identified and enrolled in the induction program, they are matched within 30 days with an appropriately qualified mentor on the basis of several factors, including credentials held, grade level & subject(s) taught, site placement, and mentoring style. Induction program coordinators review matches and fit during the opening days of the school year to ensure a smooth transition into the mentor-new teacher relationship and that the collaboration will successfully support the candidate’s professional growth.  

BUSD Mentor/Mentee Matchups 2018-2019

BUSD Mentor/Mentee Matchups 2019-2020

BUSD Mentor/Mentee Matchups 2020-2021

BUSD Induction Program Handbook

Each Induction Program must assure that each participating teacher receives an average of not less than one hour per week of individualized support/mentoring coordinated and/or provided by the mentor.

Burbank Unified School District requires that all Induction Candidates receive no less than one hour of individualized support/mentoring per week provided by the mentor. Upon being hired as a mentor, the mentor is made aware of the responsibilities via the Role of the BUSD mentor. The BUSD Induction Program Handbook and BUSD Induction Candidate Roles and Responsibilities highlight the required hour a week of support for mentees. Mid year surveys document the amount of collaboration time between mentors and mentees. Activity logs are returned by mentors monthly highlighting the amount of time met weekly and distinguishing between “Just in Time” support and longer-term focus and next step goals.

Role of the BUSD Mentor

BUSD Induction Program Handbook

BUSD Induction Candidate Roles and Responsibilities

BUSD Mentee Mid Year Survey Fall 2018

BUSD Mentor Mid Year Survey Fall 2018

BUSD Mentor Activity Logs

Goals for each participating teacher must be developed within the context of the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) within the first 60 days of the teacher’s enrollment in the program.  

Within the first 60 days of enrollment into the BUSD induction program, participating teachers complete a self-assessment of their current level of practice on the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTPs).  This review of present-level practice, overseen by the teacher’s mentor, is then used to craft goal statements the candidates will use to formulate their Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for year one. After the goals are written, the candidate, the mentor, and the site administrator meet to discuss them (Triad Meetings). The administrator is encouraged to share additional goals or areas of focus which are pertinent to his or her site that may be implemented into the candidate’s ILP.  All parties sign off on these goals at the close of the meeting and they are shared with program coordinators. At the start of year two, candidates revisit their self-assessment, revise their ratings to reflect new levels of efficacy, and write new goals for their Individual Learning Plans for year two. Year two Triad Meetings are held, new goals are agreed upon, and communicated to program coordinators. Each candidate’s ILPs must show progress toward mastery on the goals articulated in this process.  

CSTPs

BUSD Triad Form

BUSD Induction Program Handbook

Role of the BUSD Mentor

BUSD Individual Learning Plan

The Individual Learning Plan must be designed and implemented solely for the professional growth and development of the participating teacher and not for evaluation for employment purposes.

The Individual Learning Plan is designed and implement solely for the professional growth and development for participating teachers, and not for evaluation for employment purposes. Burbank Unified provides this information in the Induction Program Roles and Responsibilities and the Role of the BUSD Mentor. Furthermore, the mentor pool has several requirements to be hired and the applicant may not be in a current administrative role.

BUSD Induction Candidate Roles and Responsibilities

Role of the BUSD Mentor

BUSD Induction Mentor Application

An Induction Program sponsor must make available and must advise participants of an Early Completion option for “experienced and exceptional” candidates who meet the program’s established criteria.  

Burbank Unified School District’s Induction Program offers an Early Completion Pathway for exceptional & experienced teacher participants who meet program requirements. The purpose of this accelerated pathway is to offer an opportunity for the teacher to complete this individualized program of study at a faster pace than traditional candidates.  In order to move onto the accelerated track, candidates must apply for the Early Completion Option and meet the following requirements: hold a preliminary teaching credential, have subject matter competency, have a current teaching position with Burbank Unified School District, have received a rating of meets or exceeds standards on all performance evaluations (evaluation criteria must match the California Standards for the Teaching Profession), provide a recommendation from a current administrator verifying two years of successful teaching experience, and turn in all supporting documents on time.

District Website

BUSD Induction Program Handbook

BUSD ECO Application

BUSD ECO Reflection

BUSD ECO Site Administrator Evaluation

BUSD ECO FAQs