2020 Bonar Street, Room 329, Berkeley, CA 94702
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Liza Estupin, Director, Categorical and Special Projects
Phone: 510-644-6202 | Email: lizaestupin@berkeley.net
Michael Laird, Administrative Assistant II
Phone: 510-644-6202 | Email: michaellaird@berkeley.net
Kristian Overbey, Student Assessment Specialist
Phone: 510-486-9364 | Email: kristianoverbey@berkeley.net
Department Overview
Department previously known as “Programs and Special Projects” or “State and Federal Programs”, this department covers federal and state funding for BUSD and advises special funding programs, such as:
- Reviews and revises the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).
- Assists with board communications district parent advisory committee (PAC) concerns that relate to LCAP goals.
- Provides guidance on Student Achievement (SPSA) compliance at BUSD Sites.
- Advises upon appropriate use of state and federal funding.
- Serves as the Local Education Agency for Equitable Services for Non-Profit Private Schools in Berkeley.
- Oversees various departments, as listed, that provide additional resources to BUSD and are largely funded by state and federal programs.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
On December 10, 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), reauthorizing the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the 2001 reauthorization of ESEA.
Districts and schools use “evidence-based interventions” under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This shift was designed to help increase the impact of educational investments by ensuring that interventions being implemented have proven to be effective in leading to desired outcomes, namely improving student achievement.
- Title I; Improving Academic Achievement: To ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.
- Title II, Part A; Supporting Effective Instruction: To provide grants to State educational agencies, local educational agencies, State agencies for higher education, and eligible partnerships to increase student academic achievement.
- Title III; Language Instruction for Limited-English Proficient Students (LEP): To ensure that limited-English proficient (LEP) students, including immigrant children and youth, attain English proficiency and meet the same challenging academic content and achievement standards that other students are expected to meet.
- Title IV, Part A; Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE): To provide federal funds to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing local educational agencies, schools, and local communities capacity.
Local Control Accountability Plan
The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a tool for local educational agencies to set goals, plan actions, and leverage resources to meet those goals to improve student outcomes. The LCAP is BUSD’s three-year strategic plan to meet the needs of our students, staff, and schools. Funding is provided to BUSD based upon affected student groups, based upon the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and is coordinated with the BUSD district budget.
For additional information and LCAP resources, please consult the CA CDE.
To view BUSD’s current LCAP and current information, please view the BUSD Local Control webpage.
The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
The purpose of the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) formed to provide a forum for consulting Berkeley Unified School District parent representatives on the LCAP required of all school districts in California.
Additional Departments Under Categorical & Projects
Extended Learning (Afterschool, BEARS, and LEARNS)
The BUSD provides two core afterschool enrichment programs available to BUSD parents, with priority placement is given to families who require care and meet income requirements if necessary. More information is available below.
- BEARS (Berkeley’s Excellent Academic Road to Success)
- LEARNS (Links Enrichment, Academics and Recreation to the Needs of Students)
The BUSD Cooking and Gardening program provides academic and social development of all students from preschool through high school. Cooking and gardening classes are offered at BUSD sites to encourage growth and development.
Student Curriculum Under Categorical & Special Projects
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
The AVID program provides college preparatory instruction for college readiness at middle and high school. This program is targeted for high preforming, under deserved, first generation college students. For more information about the AVID program and its benefits, please visit avid.org.
Berkeley High Bridge Program
The Berkeley High Bridge program is a four-year academic skill building and college preparation program. It assists students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, primarily first generation college students at Berkeley High since 2010, primarily after normal school hours.
Professional Development Resources Under Categorical and Special Projects
Berkeley Peer Assistance Review (BPAR)
The Berkeley Peer Assistance Review (BPAR) program is a program designed to give teachers peer support in correcting deficiencies. Teachers are admitted into the BPAR program under a case by case basis to receive support from consulting peers.
Teacher Induction Program (TIP)
The Teacher Induction Program (TIP, formerly BTSA) is designed in conjunction with the Contra Costa County Office of Education to provide mentor support to teachers who hold a preliminary teaching credential to fully obtain their professional clear credential. For more information, please visit the BUSD TIP webpage.
Berkeley Pathway to Achieve Credentialed Teachers (BPACT)
The BPACT program is a grant-supplemented program that offers assistance for classified employees receiving their credential to reimburse them for tuition, books, test prep, and credentialing exams. BPACT is open on an application basis every school year. For more information, please visit the BUSD BPACT webpage.
Classified Professional Development
The Classified Professional Development Coordinator directly reports to the Categorical and Special Projects department, and is in charge of various aspects surrounding the training and support of classified staff. Official training items for classified staff are posted throughout the year in official classified newsletters and through direct emails.