Developed by educators for educators, edTPA is the first such standards-based assessment to become nationally available in the United States. It builds on decades of work on assessments of teacher performance and research regarding teaching skills that improve student learning.

It is transforming the preparation and certification of new teachers by complementing subject-area assessments with a rigorous process that requires teacher candidates to demonstrate that they have the classroom skills necessary to ensure students are learning.

1. One person teaching while the other observes or assists students.
2. One person teaching while the other works with a small group needing extra support or a challenge.
3. Both teaching as a team or in parallel at different stations.
4. Both taking turns with the teaching of particular classes, units, lessons, or activities.

Co-teaching provides extensive modeling and feedback for the student teacher while boosting student learning and sustaining a high quality of instruction in the cooperating teacher’s classes. Student teachers are still responsible for writing their own plans for instruction and may often teach on their own while the cooperating teacher attends to other duties. Student teachers will also be responsible for planning, instructing, and assessing the class during the edTPA learning segment.