.png?sfvrsn=c28b72b1_10 "CA.Gov")
.png?sfvrsn=cd8b72b1_0 "Commission on Teacher Credentialing")
Performance Assessment for California Educators
The competence and performance of teachers and administrators is a key factor influencing the effectiveness of elementary and secondary education. In California, candidates for teaching and administrative credentials must pass a performance assessment before they can be recommended for a credential.
For Teacher Candidates
As mandated by California Education Code 44320.2, all candidates for a preliminary Multiple Subject, Single Subject, Early Childhood Education (PK–3), or Education Specialist (MMSN, ESN, ECSE, DHH, VI) credential must pass a Commission-approved teaching performance assessment (TPA). The TPA must be:
- Aligned with the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and the California Teaching Performance Expectations
- Consistent with State Board of Education-adopted content standards
- Aligned with Commission-adopted Performance Assessment Design Standards.
- Embedded within the candidate's preparation program.
Approved teaching performance assessments
The following TPAs have been approved by the Commission for use in California:
- CalTPA: The state-developed California Teaching Performance Assessment.
- edTPA: A nationally available teaching performance assessment.
- FAST: Approved exclusively for use at California State University, Fresno State.
How performance assessments are used for teachers
- Formative feedback: Assessments provide valuable information for candidates, instructors, and coaches to improve a candidate's skills.
- Individual Development Plans (IDPs): Assessment results inform the teacher's IDP at the end of their credential program and Individual Learning Plan during their Induction program.
- Program improvement: Educator preparation programs use candidate assessment data to support their own ongoing improvement.
Early Childhood Formative Assessment
The California Formative Teaching Performance Assessment (CalFTPA) has also been developed for use in Early Childhood programs. It is an optional, locally-scored assessment to support candidates working toward the Child Development Permit.
For Administrative Services Candidates
Candidates for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential must pass a performance assessment that is aligned with the California Administrative Performance Expectations (CAPE) and California Administrative Content Expectations.
- CalAPA: The California Administrator Performance Assessment (CalAPA) is the only assessment approved for administrative services credential candidates. It is designed to be embedded within the administrator preparation program's fieldwork.
- Assessment Design: The CalAPA consists of three leadership cycles that candidates complete with feedback provided after each cycle to inform ongoing development.
- Approval Standards: The assessment must meet the Administrator Performance Assessment Design Standards to be approved by the Commission.