The New Jersey Department of Education updated the regulations for teacher preparation in 2014. A new requirement includes passing a performance assessment in the area where a candidate is seeking their initial license.
The department of education selected edTPA as the required performance assessment.
Some essential information regarding the tool includes:
- edTPA is a subject-specific performance assessment (27 different teaching field versions exist)
- It focuses on three key areas:
- planning;
- instruction (video component), and
- assessment.
The NJ DOE is preparing standard Video Release Forms for universities to use since this is a state-wide requirement.
- Fifteen rubrics, in total, are used to assess candidate performance across the three key areas.
- Evaluators are volunteers from the professional community, trained in the review of evidence and scoring.
- Currently 38 states and Washington, D.C. are using edTPA as a licensing requirement or graduation requirement in their teacher preparation programs.
- Each state sets its own pass rate for edTPA. In 2020-2021 the NJ pass rate was 37 for 15 rubric handbooks and 44 for 18 rubric handbooks. Possible changes in the state pass rate, based on an analysis of statewide date, will be announced in the summer of 2021.
- SHU FAQ about EdTPA
The requirements and process for completing the edTPA will be incorporated into your culminating seminar course (EDST 4001, EDST 4500, EDST 6426). The theory, language, and practice associated with edTPA will appear throughout your education courses, providing the foundation for its full implementation in your clinical practice. For additional information about edTPA, please visit the candidate page at Pearson. We will utilize VIA, an electronic data and assessment system, as the tool to collect your work across time and to prepare the final submission for edTPA.