Teacher Performance Assessment

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.