Washington State cannot afford to lose potential teachers who could bring a range of strengths and skills to the classroom, but are unable to become certified as a result of the high stakes nature of current performance assessment policy. Washington remains committed to providing flexible and sustainable approaches to support educator candidates as they work to meet assessment requirements.
At the July 2020 meeting, PESB approved a one year, multiple measures pilot to offer greater flexibility for candidates to meet the edTPA requirements. This pilot will help to reduce barriers and allow for more equitable pathways into the teaching profession. View pilot policy WAC (document).
The multiple measures pilot was based on recommendations from PESB’s educator assessment workgroup, which was tasked with examining inequitable barriers and challenges that assessments may create for educator candidates. A multiple measures process for the edTPA contributes to a culturally responsive and coherent assessment system, and ensures a properly credentialed and diverse teacher workforce. It provides more flexibility in acknowledging individual candidate differences. Learn more about the workgroup.
What is the multiple measures process?
Candidates who do not pass the edTPA may be eligible to demonstrate alternative evidence of effective performance as determined by their program. This pilot allows teacher preparation programs to recommend candidates for certification using one or more multiple measures as the basis for their review. Programs have the discretion to select which measures to use, including:
- Observing the candidate’s practice in their role, as documented by their mentor teacher or the preparation program provider;
- Evidence submitted by the candidate to the program provider in the areas of planning, instruction, or student assessment;
- Coursework; or
- Other measures as determined by the program provider.
After a review of measures, programs can recommend a candidate for certification if they determine the candidate has the requisite knowledge and skills, and the candidate has met all other requirements for program completion.
Who is eligible for the multiple measures pilot?
Preparation programs may choose whether they would like to participate in the multiple measures pilot. Programs not participating in the pilot would continue to require a passing score of 40 (or 34 for world and classical languages.)
Candidates in any endorsement area who are enrolled at a Washington State approved program participating in the pilot are eligible for a multiple measures review. Candidates need to take the edTPA once and receive a score between 35-39 (or 29-33 for world and classical languages) to be eligible. At program discretion, candidates who have previously taken the edTPA may be eligible for multiple measures.
| edTPA area | Passing score | One SEM below current passing score. This is the minimum score for eligibility for multiple measures. |
|---|---|---|
| All areas except world and classical languages | 40 | 35 |
| World and classical languages | 34 | 29 |
Candidates can be recommended under the multiple measures pilot through June 30, 2021.
How do preparation programs participate?
Preparation program leaders need to plan for the following in their multiple measures process:
- Convene a committee
- Identify candidates eligible for multiple measures
- Review multiple measures
- Recommend candidates
- Prepare to submit data and feedback
Additional information can be found in our guidance document for programs (document).
More information
- Guidance for programs on the multiple measures pilot (document)
- The edTPA contractor has guidance available to candidates who prepare and provide instruction to students in virtual learning environments. Find out more.
- There is an emergency certificate available for candidates who have met all program completion requirements, with the exception of one or more of the assessment requirements, including the edTPA. Find out more about the emergency certificate.
Questions
Please contact pesb@k12.wa.us for more information.
