edTPA FAQs
What is the edTPA?
The edTPA is a nationally scored Teacher Performance Assessment designed to evaluate a novice teacher's planning, instruction, and assessment skills. To the teacher candidate, the edTPA is an opportunity to plan, teach and assess a specific learning segment for a specific group of learners. Their electronic portfolio of evidence will include lesson plans, classroom descriptions, videos of teaching, student assessments, and commentary.
What is the history of the edTPA?
The edTPA was developed under the leadership of the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE). The edTPA process draws on experience gained from the 25-year development of performance-based assessments of teaching, including the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Since 2009, thousands of teacher educators and P–12 teachers have collaborated on edTPA to meet the need for a nationally available research- and standards-based assessment of candidate performance and more than 641 campuses in 35 states are now using the assessment.
Why do teacher candidates complete the edTPA?
The edTPA offers many benefits. It...
- Demonstrates candidates’ readiness to teach
- Meets the Oregon licensure requirements
- Prepares candidates for the actual work of teaching
- Informs PSU about how well our programs have prepared candidates to teach
- Aligns with many Oregon districts’ teacher evaluation systems
How is the edTPA supported?
Each program is designed to prepare candidates to become great teachers. Because the edTPA documents the actual work of teaching, the program coursework and field experiences naturally prepare candidates to put together their edTPA. Candidates have many practice opportunities through coursework and field-based assignments to cultivate and hone their skill set. All of the work that candidates do in their program contributes to their development as teachers and their performance on both the edTPA and the other important field assessments. Additionally, the edTPA receives explicit support in targeted coursework and through the use of SCALE support materials such as the edTPA handbook, rubrics, and a support guides.
When do candidates put together their edTPA portfolio?
Depending on the program, candidates may start working toward the development of an edTPA portfolio in the fall or winter of their final year. The edTPA is a cumulative portfolio and an assessment of teaching skills, so the candidates will have time in their field to practice before developing their edTPA. Each program has a timeline, which is shared with candidates and outlines steps and milestones. The final edTPA is usually submitted in March or April. Each year, the timeline may shift slightly for various reasons.
Why is the submission timing important?
National scoring requires a 3-4 week window and a late portfolio could delay program completion and licensure.
What if a candidate does not pass the edTPA?
Candidates who are struggling in field assignments and field experiences may also struggle with the edTPA. Candidates need to pass the edTPA to complete their teacher preparation program and be recommended for licensure. Retakes are allowed but may result in an additional term in the field, extra time in the program, and/or additional costs depending on the circumstances.
What does the edTPA cost?
The edTPA cost to teacher candidates is $300 at the time of final edTPA portfolio submission. The fee is paid directly to Pearson and is a national fee that covers the cost of assessment development, support, and scoring by nationally trained scorers. In Oregon, all educator preparation programs have the same requirement for candidates to complete an edTPA for Oregon licensure; the cost ($300) is the same across the state and country.
How can I be more involved?
You can learn more about the edTPA through local trainings and reviewing SCALE published materials available on the PSU Cooperating Teacher webpage.
Additionally, Pearson invites educators to become scorers for edTPA®. The national scorers are made up of practicing teachers and faculty.
- edTPA scorer qualifications: expertise in the subject matter or developmental level of the teaching field, teaching experience in that field, experience mentoring or supervising beginning teachers
- edTPA scorer benefits: promotes a deep understanding of edTPA rubrics that will enable you to better support teacher candidates, support informed discussions with teacher candidates and colleagues, support alignment with supervisory observations/evaluation and formative learning opportunities for candidates
- edTPA scorer commitment: scorers must complete online module-based training and then practice score (calibrate) 2 or more portfolios; once qualified, a scorer is asked to score 1-2 portfolios a week (average scoring time is 2-3 hours) for a scoring period of a couple of months. Hours may vary significantly based on season.