The edTPA (Education Teacher Performance Assessment) is a performance-based, subject-specific assessment that measures and supports the skills all new teachers need to be successful from their first day in the classroom.

Developed by faculty and staff at the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE), edTPA was designed with feedback from teachers, teacher educators, and national subject-matter organizations. It builds on more than 25 years of research and development in teacher performance assessments, including the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and the Performance Assessment for California Teachers.

What is edTPA?

  • Purpose: edTPA is required for teacher licensure in North Carolina and many other states. It ensures candidates can plan, instruct, and assess student learning effectively.
  • Structure: The assessment is organized around three core tasks:
    • Planning instruction that supports student strengths and needs.
    • Instructing and engaging students in ambitious learning.
    • Assessing student learning and using results to improve instruction.
  • Format: Candidates submit a portfolio during their clinical internship (student teaching) that includes:
    • Lesson plans
    • Student work samples
    • Unedited video clips of classroom instruction
    • Written commentary analyzing teaching practices and student learning outcomes
  • Fields: edTPA has versions for 28 teaching fields, spanning Pre-K through 12th grade.

Learn more about edTPA structures and processes on the edTPA website.

Why edTPA Matters

edTPA evaluates a teacher candidate’s readiness to:

  • Design meaningful learning experiences.
  • Respond to diverse student needs.
  • Reflect on and improve teaching practice.
  • Positively impact student learning.

Successfully completing edTPA demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the teaching profession.

Support for App State Teacher Candidates

The Reich College of Education provides guidance and resources to help you succeed on edTPA. Support includes:

  • Orientations and Information Sessions – The Mountaineer Second Steps to Teaching covers information about the edTPA.
  • Faculty and Mentor Support – Feedback and coaching during the clinical internship.
  • Workshops and Resource Guides – Materials to help you organize and present your portfolio.
  • Practice Opportunities – Structured assignments and field experiences that prepare you for the assessment.

For questions or more information, contact the App State edTPA Help Desk at edtpa@appstate.edu. 

Tk20 by Watermark

Tk20 is the integrated edTPA platform provider system used by App State. Students are responsible for uploading certain portfolio and assessment related assignments (as instructed in specific courses) – including dispositions, key assessments, and field experience assignments – to the software. 

Login to Tk20 using your App State credentials (students and faculty)

Tk20 help resources for students (Google Drive)

In order to have your edTPA portfolio from Tk20 officially scored, you will need to transfer your portfolio to the Pearson system via an authorization key. A help video is available in the Tk20 help resources Google Drive.

For questions, please contact tk20help@appstate.edu.