Multiple perspectives on the state-mandated implementation of a high-stakes performance assessment for preservice English teacher candidates
Abstract
Drawing on situated learning and communities of practice, this teacher-research study examined multiple stakeholders’ perspectives about the purpose, design, and inaugural implementation of the edTPA, a teacher performance assessment mandated for state certification. Participants included teacher candidates, mentor teachers, a field placement supervisor, and a teacher educator involved with one English education program. Data included edTPA-related documents, artifacts from a student-teaching seminar, and interviews. Findings indicated differences in perspective. Mentors had the most negative views and the least information about the assessment, as well as the most skepticism about its positioning within the state’s reform agenda. Candidates and the field supervisor identified benefits and concerns about the impact on student teaching. The teacher educator expressed anger and fear related to the new mandate but, over time, identified some aspects of the assessment aligning with past practice. Implications for research and practice are suggested.
Reference
Chandler-Olcott, K., & Fleming, S. (2017). Multiple perspectives on the state-mandated implementation of a high-stakes performance assessment for preservice English teacher candidates. Action in Teacher Education, 39(1), 22-38.
Journal
Action in Teacher Education
Analysis
Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?
no
Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?
no
Research Approach
Geographic Setting
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
- Undergraduates (university based program)
Preservice Sample Size
7
Other Participant Data
- University instuctors
- University Supervisor(s)
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- Blog
- Classroom Discussion
- course materials
- email correspondence
- fieldnotes
- Interviews
- lesson plans
- Standardized Assessments
Data Analysis Tools
- Constant comparative analysis
- Inductive analysis
Researcher Positionality
- inside (staying their own students)
Research Questions
What are pre-service English teacher candidates’, mentor teachers’, field supervisors’, and teacher educators’ perspectives on the purpose, design, and implementation of the edTPA as mandated for teacher certification in New York?”
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes