Year 1 Online BTA Course 2025-26
Registration fee: $100.00
WHAT IS A BTAP?
A Beginning Teacher Assistance Program (BTAP) is a certification requirement. Designed for first- and second-year teachers, this course offers professional learning focused on instructional growth and support. This program addresses the following Missouri Teacher Development System (MTDS) domains:
- Classroom Manager and Community Builder
- Instructional Designer and Facilitator of Student Thinking and Learning
- Professional
- Reflective Learner
WHY MUST I TAKE A BTAP? It is a state mandate that every new educator participate in a two-year Beginning Teacher Assistance Program (BTAP) with quarterly meetings before upgrading their teaching certificate. MSTA's Online BTAP Course fulfills Year 1, Quarter 1 of DESE's Beginning Teacher Assistance Program certification requirement. After completing this Online BTAP Course, you will have completed Quarter 1 of Year 1. The remaining quarters allow participants to choose quarterly learning based on what fits their unique goals, interests, and areas for growth. ✅ Approved Quarterly Learning Options (for Quarters 2–4)
| Learning Option | Description | Quarter(s) |
| 📚 Mini-Course Combos | Complete 2 mini-courses to fulfill one quarter | Q2, Q3, Q4 |
| 🧑💻 Virtual New Teacher Summit | Join this focused summit for BTAP teachers (only valid for Q3) | Q3 only |
| 🎯 Virtual Coaching | Get tailored support around instruction or behavior management | Q2, Q3, Q4 |
| 💻 Online Courses | Take professional learning courses on your own schedule | Q2, Q3, Q4 |
| 📖 Beyond the Book Club | Join monthly, quarterly, or semesterly study groups with peers | Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 |
📌 Key Point: Every Quarter Counts
✅ Your BTAP timeline is personalized—it starts the day you finish your initial training. Whatever day you finish your training, you completes Qtr. 1 of Year 1. (For example: If you finish your Online BTAP Course January 7, 2026, while that is your district's Quarter 3; it is Quarter 1 of Year 1 for you. The district's quarter 4 will be quarter 2 of Year 1 for you).
📆 For quarterly learning meetings, follow your district's quarters as the example above demonstrates.
🎯 You must complete one approved activity per quarter (Q2–Q4 in Year 1).
To learn more about ongoing learning, visit MSTA's Professional Learning website or call 800-392-0532.