Any candidate with a score on one of the CalTPA cycles or the edTPA that falls within the Secondary Passing Standard ranges articulated below may be considered for the Performance Assessment Secondary Passing Standard for that cycle (CalTPA) or assessment (edTPA). Under the Secondary Passing Standard, candidates who have demonstrated competence across all Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) but who narrowly missed the adopted passing score may still meet the teaching performance assessment (TPA) requirement.

2018-2025 Teaching Performance Assessment Versions

Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) Adopted TPA Passing Standard Secondary Passing Standard (-1.0 SEM applied to TPA Passing Standard) with TPE Evidence
CalTPA Multiple and Single Subject Cycle 1 19 with no more than one score of 1 allowed 16 with no more than one score of 1 allowed
CalTPA Multiple and Single Subject Cycle 2 21 with no more than one score of 1 allowed 18 with no more than one score of 1 allowed
CalTPA Mild to Moderate Support Needs Cycle 1 17 with no more than one score of 1 allowed 15 with no more than one score of 1 allowed
CalTPA Mild to Moderate Support Needs Cycle 2 19 with no more than one score of 1 allowed 17 with no more than one score of 1 allowed
CalTPA Extensive Support Needs Cycle 1 15 12
CalTPA Extensive Support Needs Cycle 1 17 15
edTPA 13 rubric handbook 35 32
edTPA 13 rubric handbook 41 38
edTPA 18 rubric handbook 49 46
edTPA Education Specialist 35 32


2025-2026 Teaching Performance Assessment Versions

Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) Adopted TPA Passing Standard Secondary Passing Standard with TPE Evidence
CalTPA Multiple Subject: Math Cycle & Literacy Cycle 16 14
CalTPA PK3 Math Cycle & Literacy Cycle 16 14
CalTPA Single Subject Cycles 1 & 2 (Revised) 16 14
CalTPA World Language Cycles 1 & 2 (Revised) 16 14
Education Specialist CalTPA Mild to Moderate Support Needs Math Cycle & Literacy Cycle 16 14
Education Specialist CalTPA Extensive Support Needs Math Cycle & Literacy Cycle 16 14
Education Specialist CalTPA ECSE Math Cycle & Literacy Cycle 16 14
Education Specialist CalTPA DHH Math Cycle & Literacy Cycle 16 14
Education Specialist CalTPA VI Math Cycle & Literacy Cycle 16 14
edTPA Elementary with Literacy 47 44
edTPA Education Specialist with Literacy 35 34

Information for Candidates

To meet the TPA requirement through the Secondary Passing Standard, an approved preparation program will need to examine evidence to determine whether or not you have met the TPEs through your coursework, clinical practice, and/or other program requirements. If the program determines that (a) sufficient evidence exists to demonstrate you have met the necessary TPEs and (b) that you have satisfied all additional credential requirements, including coursework and clinical practice, it may recommend you to the Commission for your preliminary credential without requiring resubmission of the performance assessment.

Please contact your program to discuss your eligibility, next steps, and any additional options available to you.

Program Completers

Candidates who have completed all coursework and clinical practice but who received a score on the TPA that falls within the Secondary Passing Standard should reach out to the program they completed to receive an evaluation of evidence to determine whether or not they have met the TPEs through your coursework, clinical practice, and/or other program requirements. Please note that candidates may be required to re-enroll in the program.

Information for Programs:

Approved preparation programs are required to evaluate evidence from currently enrolled candidates (as defined in PSA-24-02, p.2) who fall within the Secondary Passing Standard (see above) to determine whether they have demonstrated – through coursework, clinical practice, and other program requirements – competence in TPE domains not met on the TPA. Approved programs determine what evidence to review.

Evidence may include: 

  • embedded formative and/or summative program level assessments that demonstrate the candidate has met the necessary TPE(s)
  • information gathered and documented from cooperating/mentor teachers
  • clinical practice evaluations
  • components of the TPA the candidate completed successfully (rubric score of 3 or above)
  • other acceptable evidence as determined by the program

Upon completion of the evaluation, programs make the ultimate decision about whether a candidate has demonstrated competence. 

  • If the program determines the candidate has not demonstrated competence in all TPE domains, the program is not required to take further action related to the secondary passing standard. The program is expected to continue to support the candidate in preparing a TPA to resubmit for scoring.

  • If a program determines the candidate has demonstrated competence in all TPEs and is otherwise eligible for a credential, the program may then recommend the candidate for a preliminary credential, as articulated below. The candidate will not be required to resubmit a TPA.

Recommending a Candidate Under the Secondary Passing Standard:

Upon verification that a candidate has demonstrated competence in all TPEs, programs should follow the instructions in PSA-24-02 (page 3), which detail how to recommend a candidate who passes the TPA under the secondary passing standard for a preliminary credential.

Specifically, on Form CL-911, programs must:

  1. verify that they have reviewed evidence from the candidate that demonstrates the candidate has met each TPE domain, and
  2. within the TPE evidence box, list what evidence was reviewed to determine that the candidate demonstrated competence in that TPE (including TPA scores). (Programs should retain documented evidence of the evaluation on file according to their established retention schedule.) 

A completed Form CL-911 must be signed by the Director/Chair of Teacher Education or the equivalent and must be submitted as an attachment with the recommendation.  

Supporting Program Completers:

Programs may also be approached by candidates who have completed their preparation program and so, consequently, are no longer enrolled. Programs are encouraged to create pathways for these candidates to enroll in order to support them in earning their preliminary credential. This additional support includes reviewing the candidate’s evidence related to the secondary passing standard and, if appropriate, recommending them for a credential, or, if necessary, supporting their resubmission of the TPA.

Questions:

For questions about how to apply the evaluation process for candidates who meet the secondary passing standard, please contact tpa@ctc.ca.gov.

For questions about the online recommendation process, please refer to the Credentials FAQ - General Questions webpage or click the Contact Us button at the bottom of that page.

Updated July 18, 2025