Teaching 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.
*edTPA Essentials: Approved for field testing during the 2026-27 academic year
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.
CalTPA
For Candidates
- CalTPA Registration
- CalTPA Preparation Materials
- CalTPA Submission Requirements and Condition Codes
- Candidate Guide to Using the CalTPA Registration System
- Candidate Guide to Using the CalTPA ePortfolio Submission System
- CalTPA Candidate Office Hours- Wednesdays (4:15 – 5 pm): Zoom Link
- Candidate Checklist: CalTPA Assessment Process
- Candidate Checklist: PK–3 Early Childhood Education CalTPA Assessment Process
- Sample Classroom Educator/Aide Consent Form
- Sample Parent/Guardian/Family Consent Form
- Sample Parent/Guardian/Family Consent Form – Arabic
- Sample Parent/Guardian/Family Consent Form – Spanish
For Programs/Faculty
- CalTPA Faculty Policies and Resources
- CalTPA Assessor Application (MS, PK3, SS, WL)
- CalTPA Email Listserv: Subscribe Here
- CalTPA Program Office Hours- 1st & 3rd Friday of each month (9:00-10 am): Zoom Link
- CalTPA Support: caltpa@ctc.ca.gov
- CalTPA items may be found on our YouTube playlist.
- Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) Map: MS
- Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) Map: PK–3 ECE
- Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) Map: SS
- Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) Map: WL
Education Specialist CalTPA
For Candidates
- EdSp CalTPA Registration
- EdSp CalTPA Preparation Materials
- EdSp CalTPA Submission Requirements and Condition Codes
- Candidate Guide to Using the EdSp CalTPA Registration System
- Candidate Guide to Using the EdSp CalTPA ePortfolio Submission System
- CalTPA Candidate Office Hours- Wednesdays (4:15 – 5 pm): Zoom Link
- Candidate Checklist: Education Specialist CalTPA Assessment Process
For Programs/Faculty
- EdSp CalTPA Faculty Policies and Resources
- EdSp CalTPA Assessor Application (MMSN, ESN, ECSE, DHH, and VI)
- Education Specialist CalTPA Email Listserv: Subscribe Here
- EdSp CalTPA Program Office Hours- 1st & 3rd Friday of each month (9:00-10 am): Zoom Link
- EdSp CalTPA Support: edspcaltpa@ctc.ca.gov
- CalTPA items can be found on our YouTube playlist.
- Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) Map: MMSN
- Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) Map: DHH
- Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) Map: ECSE
- Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) Map: ESN
- Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) Map: VI
edTPA
FAST
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
651 Bannon Street
Sacramento, CA 95811