Bilingual Teacher Pathway

Applications available in August.

Teaching to transcend all barriers

Welcome

The Bilingual Teacher Pathway (BTP) is a teacher preparation program designed to fill critical shortages of bilingual education/ESL teachers in the Portland metropolitan area. This is accomplished by recruiting and supporting bilingual/bicultural educational assistants so they can become licensed teachers. The BTP program is only open to qualified candidates at specific school districts.

Scholarships available to qualified candidates - contact Lynda Pullen at lpullen@pdx.edu for details.

Admission criteria

Qualified candidates will be selected based on district recommendations and an application evaluation. Yearly cohorts (a cohort is a group of students that go through the program together) will not exceed 35 students and begin each fall term. To be eligible to apply to the BTP Program, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Be employed either part-time or full-time by a school district that has an Intergovernmental Agreement with Portland State University*
• Be eligible for admission to Portland State University – NOTE: If you are a non-native English speaker please be sure to see Portland State University's webpage for information on the TOEFL exam. Remember, you must meet this requirement BEFORE applying for admission to PSU.
• Be bilingual/bicultural
  • Bilingual - Oral and written proficiency at the near native level, evidenced through interview and essay
  • Bicultural - Ability to relate in a socially acceptable manner with members of a cultural group other than your own
• Have an endorsement from your school district liaison (Exceptions may be possible in some circumstances.)
• Receive a passing score on one of the following  Basic Skills tests:
  • California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), National Evaluation Series Essential Academic Skills, or Praxis Preprofessional Skills Test I

Click here for information on available scholarships, financial aid, and estimated program costs.