edTPA Supervisor FAQs
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Which edTPA should candidates complete? What if a candidate is certifying in more than one area?
Candidates completing multiple certifications will only need to complete an edTPA in one area. The educator preparation program will select the edTPA based on the candidate’s student teaching placement (class, level, and subject matter) and the list of allowable handbooks provided by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
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When should candidates complete the edTPA?
Candidates should know their classes well and be confident in their teaching ability before completing the edTPA, but they should also submit the edTPA early enough to allow for remediation as needed.
It will take three to four weeks to receive scores after submission. Candidates will be notified of their scores by email. The teacher preparation program will also receive these results.
It’s recommended that all candidates complete the edTPA during their first placement, or during the first nine weeks of a continuous placement. Submission dates vary from semester to semester.
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Which class and topic should candidates choose for the edTPA learning segment?
Every candidate should choose a class and topic whose content aligns with the central focus and subject-specific rubrics in their edTPA handbook. The candidate should also try to pick a class with a variety of learners to help find focus students for the edTPA.
The cooperating teacher can help the candidate make the most appropriate choices. Cooperating teachers can be provided with edTPA handbooks and other relevant materials to assist them in supporting candidates.
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How do I, as the university supervisor, support the candidate?
It’s recommended that you do not observe the teacher candidate during the week in which they are completing their edTPA instruction. As a university supervisor, you should not provide feedback on artifacts (e.g., lesson plans, instructional materials, video clips, or student work samples) to candidates.
Lesson plans before the completion of the edTPA can be evaluated and feedback can be provided to teacher candidates and used as formative experience, shaping their work on the edTPA.
During observations of candidates, it’s important to continue providing the formative and constructive feedback that is expected of a university supervisor. You play a key role in determining a candidate’s readiness to teach and as such should be discussing areas of strength and points of concern they have for their teacher candidates.
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As a university supervisor, what do I need to communication to the cooperating teacher?
You should discuss with the cooperating teacher:
- What the edTPA is and why candidates need to complete it.
- That the edTPA will require candidates to plan, instruct, and assess students on their own.
- Candidates need to begin planning for the edTPA early, choosing the week for the segment and lessons. This will mean that candidates will need to gather evidence for student performance before planning the segment lessons.
- Candidate knowledge and understanding of student learning needs should be prompted and facilitated in a timely manner.
- Cooperating teachers should discuss the frequently asked questions about student teaching and the edTPA for cooperating teachers. You should review this information with the cooperating teachers and respond to questions that arise.
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How can the educator preparation program manage the video requirements of the edTPA?
Programs should work with school districts to establish standard procedures for securing permissions at the start of the school year. Videos cannot be shared or posted online under any circumstances. Candidates should sign a memo of understanding regarding appropriate use of video and the possible consequences for misuse, which include potential loss of the teaching license.
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What resources are available to me as a supervisor?
Many resources are available to teacher candidates, university supervisors, and cooperating teachers. Your edTPA coordinator may have additional resources available to you and your stakeholders.
- To learn more about edTPA, SCALE has developed the Getting Ready for edTPA video series and several resources on academic language.
- edTPA is the official source of information for candidates and faculty.
- AACTE edTPA provides additional resources and an online community for edTPA Coordinators.
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What is the passing score for the edTPA?
Scores range from 15 - 75 (15 rubrics with ratings 1-5). The state of Wisconsin has determined a passing score of 38 for handbooks with 15 rubrics and a passing score of 32 for handbooks with 32 rubrics. All candidates who complete an educator preparation program will have to achieve the state passing score on the edTPA to be eligible for initial licensure.
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What if a candidate doesn’t pass the edTPA?
Candidates who do not meet their institution or state’s passing requirements may register to retake a single task or the full edTPA. Find Retake instructions for candidates and guidelines for retake decision-making for programs. Candidates should take particular care to address every point in the commentary prompts and to provide evidence directly related to the criteria in the rubrics.
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How should educator preparation programs use the edTPA for program improvement?
Pearson will provide each program with a summary report of candidate scores. Programs should analyze this data for patterns and follow up with their own local evaluation of selected edTPA tasks or components to gain deeper insight into student preparation and performance.
Program faculty should discuss these findings and use them as a basis for program improvements, documenting this work for DPI review as part of the continuous review process. In particular, programs will want to engage in continuous curriculum mapping to ensure that candidates are well prepared for the edTPA and that the edTPA results are used to strengthen the educator preparation program.
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Where do I get more information?
- Pearson edTPA is the official source of information for all candidates and faculty.
- Learn more about edTPA requirements specific to Wisconsin.
Further questions can be directed to edTPA@uwplatt.edu.