CREATe FAQs

FAQ: What is CREATe?

The Continuum of Reflective, Engaging, and Accessible Teaching is a 14-item, cost-free rubric designed to provide formative feedback to classroom teachers in the field.

FAQ: If a student does not pass an assessment by 1 point would you just give him another assessment without telling him why he didn't pass? That's bad teaching. Why is this happening in CREATe? Why do coaches need to keep watching calibration videos over and over with no direction?

At the time of the Fall 2018 video calibrations, there were only two CREATe Coaches, and over 30 coaches to train. We could not possibly provide feedback to every single coach who did not pass the video calibrations. Currently, we have a support team ready and available to anyone who may need or want some added assistance with the calibration process, both video and live. Thanks for your feedback!

FAQ: Is it the goal to score all 14 items on the CREATe rubric for every observation?

We have consistently maintained that coaches are not expected to observe all 14 items on the rubric in a single lesson. Coaches should be focusing on 2-3 items while observing a lesson. Ultimately, we would like to see each of our candidates supported in all 14 areas over the course of each semester, which does not mean that you are expected to observe all 14 in one single lesson; rather, focus on a few items each observation, changing items each time so that all 14 have been supported before our candidates leave our program.

Eventually, we would like all coaches to complete all 14 items during a single observation 3 times during the semester: beginning, middle, and end. This is a future goal that we are not yet requiring.

FAQ: Mentors were not trained and do not understand rubric--How can they support students?

Our goal is to eventually have mentor teachers trained on CREATe as well; however we have focused our time and efforts into getting our coaches and faculty trained currently.

FAQ: The students know very little about the rubric?

The students are given ample opportunity in their iPOP courses to dive deep into understanding the rubric, its vocabulary, how it connects to their courses, and how they can use it in their lesson planning, as well as evaluating each other’s lesson plans and teaching videos using the rubric. The only students who may not be familiar with the rubric are those in the SPED credential program. They are not required to enroll in the iPOP series.

FAQ: We are coaches not evaluators!

Yes, you are right! That is why you hold the title of "COACH." CREATe is not a summative tool. The CREATe Rubric is meant to help our preservice teachers develop along a continuum that coincides with observable TPEs and CSTPs. It also provides a common tool to be utilized, ensuring that every teacher candidate is supported and granted appropriate and useful feedback throughout their experience. We understand that learning to teach is a developmental process, and this tool supports them through their development.

CREATe has been and will continue to be adopted by school districts to use CREATe during induction to provide a smooth transition into their induction period.

FAQ: After classes and training and then taking video calibration, do coaches have to do a live calibration?

Yes, the live calibrations are a very important piece to the calibration process. Many calibrated coaches have expressed how important and informative this piece was for them.

FAQ: My first SVP is upcoming. Do I have to be calibrated before the observation?

No, please practice using it. The more you use it, the more familiar you will be with the tool!