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If you are looking for the BECCA (early childhood) program, click here.

How it Works

The Bilingual Transition to Teaching Project (BTTT) is an alternative route to teacher certification for individuals who wish to change careers and become bilingual teachers in districts that meet federal requirements for high need. The program allows participants to complete the same education requirements as traditionally certified teachers, but in lieu of traditional student teaching, BTTT program participants receive on-the-job training as full-time bilingual teachers. Participants who successfully complete the program earn a Ms Ed. in Elementary Education and meet State requirements for elementary teacher certification (Type 03) with Bilingual approvals. Tuition for all but the last three courses is covered by the program. You will be certified at the end of the courses we covered. Those remaining three are to obtain State of Illinois Bilingual and ESL Approval. Please keep in mind that books, transportation to your designated cohort location, and testing fees are incurred by the program participant not by the program.

The coursework for the degree program is offered through Northern Illinois University . NIU offers its rigorous M.S.Ed. curriculum in a cohort model, which means that participants engage in a set sequence of courses, beginning and ending the sequence together. The cohort model allows students to develop a strong network of colleagues that are pursuing similar professional goals. Cohort participants offer each other encouragement and support through the duration of the academic program as well as the transition into a new profession. BTTT classes are held at convenient times and locations in and around the City of Chicago to accommodate the schedules of teachers as well as individuals that are transitioning from other full-time positions.

After completing State testing requirements and meeting the requirements to be considered 'highly qualified' under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, participants in the BTTT program are eligible to teach almost immediately on a Type 29 Transitional Bilingual Certificate. The Type 29 is unique to Illinois and was created to address the shortage of bilingual teachers throughout the state.

Participants have one year from the time they enroll in the program to secure a full-time bilingual teaching position with the Chicago Public Schools or one of the 12 partner districts:

• Chicago Heights School District #170,
• Chicago Public School District #299,
• Calumet City School District #155,
• Cicero Elementary School District #99,
• Harvey Public School District #152,
• Joliet Public School District #86,
• North Chicago School District #187,
• Posen-Robbins School District #143 ½,
• Summit School District #104,
• Waukegan Community School District #60,
• W. Harvey-Dixmoor School District #147,
• Zion Elementary School District #6.

The BTTT Project assists participants in identifying vacancies and preparing for interviews, but placement is not guaranteed. Finding a job as a full-time teacher of record is the responsibility of the individual participant.

Once participants are placed, they take part in their district's induction and mentoring program for new teachers. The BTTT Project also provides participants with high quality professional development designed to have a positive impact on classroom instruction, before and while teaching.