Teacher performance assessment (edTPA): An instructor’s development and evaluation of an embedded signature assessment in an early childhood literacy course

Abstract

As of May 2014, all candidates for teacher certification in New York State must successfully complete the teacher performance assessment (edTPA). This article describes an assignment piloted in an early childhood literacy class as an embedded signature assessment and has three goals: to explain the context that led to the devel- opment of the assignment, to describe how the assignment was created and piloted, and to describe the methodology and results of an action research project intended to collect data on candidates’ perceptions of the challenges and value of the assignment. Implications for candidates’ understanding and utilization of developmentally appropriate practice, academic language, and self-reflection, as well as for the design of embedded signature assessments are discussed.

Reference

Noel, A. M. (2014) Teacher performance assessment (edTPA): An instructor’s development and evaluation of an embedded signature assessment in an early childhood literacy course. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 35(4), 357-372.

Journal

Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education

Analysis

Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?

Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?

Research Approach

Action Research

Geographic Setting

New York

Institutional Context

University based

Certification Level

1-6
early childhood

Programatic Focus

edTPA
Literacy Education

Research Location Context

University

Preservice Participants

Not stated

Preservice Sample Size

Duration of Data Collection

Data Sources

Multipart Final Exam Essay Question

Data Analysis Tools

Qualitative Analysis

Researcher Positionality

inside (staying their own students)
Inside (studying their own practices)
Inside (studying their own programs)

Research Questions

"After completing the ESA (Embedded Signature Assessment) in conjunction with instruction on the edTPA, could candidates identify the three major tasks and the task the individual experience story assessed?"
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes

"To what extent and specifically which part(s) of the assignment did the candidates find valuable and challenging? Why?"
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown