What is the edTPA?

As required by SB2042, all credential candidates in California must complete a Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA). At UCI our credential candidates complete the edTPA, used nationally, during winter quarter (January - March). The edTPA was developed at the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE). The assessment is based on the PACT Teaching Event, which UCI Credential Programs used prior to the edTPA. The edTPA is used in 40 states, with 12 states using the edTPA to license new teachers within a teacher credential program.

For the edTPA, credential candidates are required to plan, teach and video record a learning segment in their specific content area (Math, Science, Social Science, Art, World Language, or English). Candidates will analyze student work samples from the learning segment to plan for next steps. As candidates plan and teach their learning segment, they incorporate academic language and reflect on their teaching practice.

A learning segment consists of 3-5 consecutive lessons to develop content understandings related to academic content standards around a central focus (specific topic). Candidates plan the learning segment using knowledge about students and their learning needs to identify instructional supports and assessments. Planned lessons should engage students in learning tasks using current subject specific pedagogy in the content area of instruction.  

*Candidates will submit their completed portfolio for scoring as part of a national pool by the beginning of April.  

We request the Mentor Teacher’s assistance in supporting our candidates by: 

• Collaborating on long-term planning to determine the topics scheduled for the upcoming quarter/semester

• Collaborating with credential candidates to select a central focus for a learning segment that is aligned with Common Core or academic content standards and the time period to teach the learning segment

• Providing support and instructional materials that the candidate can review to plan the learning segment

• Assist the candidate in collecting video permission forms from parents

• Obtain equipment required for video recording, if available

• Assist with video recording

The edTPA is due in April. Your candidate will receive support through fall and winter quarters (October - March).  

Candidates will receive support through monthly seminars to unpack the handbook and rubrics and have ongoing instruction from their content–specific methods instructors.  

This is a suggested timeline to support your candidate's completion of each section of the edTPA. While some flexibility is available for each candidate, depending on the scheduling needs of both the mentor teacher and the student teacher, adhering to these timing suggestions is preferable.