edTPA @ AACTE’s Annual Meeting: A Recap
Did you attend the edTPA-related sessions at AACTE’s Annual Meeting this year? If not, here’s a taste of what you missed! Click here to view a list of the descriptions and presenters for the various sessions that provided attendees the opportunity to converse with other users of edTPA.
A highlight of the conference was the edTPA breakfast hosted by SCALE, which drew more than 200 attendees. In her opening remarks, AACTE President/CEO Sharon P. Robinson championed edTPA, emphasizing that it was developed by and for the people in the room. She also encouraged audience members to advocate for edTPA in their communities. Afterward, Ray Pecheone, SCALE’s executive director, described in detail the developmental process of edTPA. He explained topics such as standard setting and state policy and announced that SCALE would conduct validity and consequential studies in the weeks ahead. Finally, attendees engaged in a question and answer session with Andrea Whittaker, SCALE’s director of teacher performance assessment, and other representatives.
During the conference’s Welcoming Session, Robinson announced the Association’s new Innovation Exchange, which includes an initiative already under way to develop an edTPA National Academy of Consultants. Click here for more information about the academy.
One particularly insightful session featured East Carolina University’s presentation, “Developing and Implementing Policies and Procedures for Local Evaluation of edTPA,”in which Diana Lys and Ellen Dobson spoke at length about their implementation strategy. By infusing technology into their programming, they have created a successful multilayered local evaluation process.
Some 500 educator preparation providers in 33 states and the District of Columbia are actively participating in edTPA. The edTPA project management staff have initiated an effort to upgrade the edTPA web site to include an interactive policy map, revised FAQs, new webinars, and user guides.
For more information about the Annual Meeting and edTPA, please contact me or visit http://edtpa.aacte.org.
Tags: accreditation, assessment, content areas, events
