About The T-BAR Program

• The T-BAR program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Improving Teacher Quality State Grants Program (ITQ), which is designed to provide high-quality professional learning to K-12 educators. State departments of education administer ITQ funds in their respective states.
• The T-BAR model was based, in part, on the evaluation findings from an earlier ITQ grant, the Teacher Achievement Award Program (TAAP), which found that “by linking professional development directly to school-based projects, TAAP was able to capitalize on each of the following principles: Teachers are more likely to learn those things that interest them; teachers are more likely to learn those things they perceive a need to know; and, learning is reinforced through use” (California Postsecondary Education Commission, n.d.).
• The T-BAR program has provided over $9 million in funding, most of which (about 70%) provides direct support for the professional learning of participating teachers. Between 2009 and 2012, T-BAR served 749 teachers drawn from 99 districts across California, 41% of which are federally designated as high need.