School of Education

What is the edTPA?

The edTPA (Educative Teacher Performance Assessment) is a nationally recognized, performance-based, subject-specific assessment for aspiring teachers. It mirrors the essential cycle of effective teaching—planning instruction, engaging students in learning, assessing their progress, and analyzing data to inform future instruction.

Developed by the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE) with input from university faculty, national content-area experts, and practicing K–12 teachers, the edTPA is grounded in research and current best practices.

Rather than a traditional test, the edTPA requires candidates to compile a professional teaching portfolio based on a real classroom learning segment (3–5 lessons). This portfolio includes lesson plans, instructional materials, assessments, unedited videos of instruction, student work samples, analysis of student learning, and written reflections/commentaries about the plans for instruction/how instruction might change based on student learning outcomes. 

Head to this site for a deeper dive into the edTPA.

Why use the edTPA?

• edTPA ensures all teacher candidates demonstrate the pedagogical knowledge to develop instructional planning, classroom teaching, assessment, and reflection skills needed for effective teaching from Day 1 of entering the classroom environment.
• External scoring provides consistent, objective evaluation across all content areas — strengthening fairness and quality across cohorts.(Preparing Quality Educators)
• The assessment aligns with state certification/licensure requirements (through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction where required) and supports institutional accreditation and program review processes.(SOE Field Experience Handbook)
• The edTPA gives candidates and UWL faculty valuable and concrete evidence of teaching effectiveness grounded in real classroom experience (not just coursework), thus promoting high-impact learning and preparation.

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