Summative performance assessments in teacher education, such as the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT) and the edTPA, have been heralded through polices intended to enhance the quality of the teaching profession and raise its stature among other professions. However, the development and implementation of the PACT, and subsequently the edTPA, have not been without controversy and Políticas de la política: La evaluación de la aplicación, impacto y evolución de la Evaluación de Desempeño de Maestros de California (PACT) y edTPA Resumen: Evaluaciones de desempeño sumativas en el área de formación docente, como la Evaluación de Desempeño de Maestros de California (PACT) y la edTPA, han sido promovidas como políticas destinadas a mejorar la calidad de la profesión docente y elevar sus prestigio profesional. Sin embargo, el desarrollo y la aplicación del PACT, y posteriormente edTPA, no han estado exentas de polémicas y debate. El propósito de este artículo es evaluar la aplicación, impacto y evolución del PACT y edTPA. Para ello, se revisa la literatura sobre el impacto y la aplicación del PACT y analizamos críticamente las políticas de Estado en torno a edTPA. Planteamos preguntas sobre la política y las implicaciones prácticas de la evolución de la PACT y edTPA. Palabras clave: formación docente de pregrado; enseñanza de evaluación del desempeño; certificación de maestros / licenciaturas; responsabilidad de los maestros; reforma educativa; políticas estatales Políticas da Política: avaliação da implementação, impacto e evolução da Avaliação de Desempenho para Professores da Califórnia (PACT) e edTPA Resumo: Avaliações de desempenho sumativas na área de formação de professores, como a Avaliação de Desempenho para Professores da Califórnia (PACT) e edTPA, têm sido promovidas como políticas que melhoram a qualidade da profissão docente e elevaram a posição profissional. No entanto, o desenvolvimento e implementação de PACT, e depois edTPA, não foram sem controvérsias e debates. O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a implementação, o impacto e a evolução do PACT e edTPA. Avaliamos a literatura sobre o impacto e a execução de PACT e analisamos criticamente as políticas estatais ao redor edTPA. Se apresentam questões sobre as políticas e as implicações práticas da evolução do PACT e edTPA. Palavras-chave: ensino de professores na graduação; ensino de avaliação de desempenho; e certificação de professores ; responsabilidade do professor; reforma educacional; Políticas de Estado

Background Competency‐based education (CBE) is a systems‐change approach intended to re‐shape traditional understandings of what, when, where, and how students learn and demonstrate academic knowledge and skills. Research on the factors that affect K‐12 CBE implementation and the efficacy of different approaches has not yet been meticulously reviewed. Aims The purpose of this literature review was to examine the research on K‐12 CBE for factors that affect implementation, student outcomes, and the relationship between implementation and student outcomes. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted that included 25 peer‐reviewed studies and unpublished reports from 2000 to 2019 related to K‐12 students. Results Facilitators and barriers that affect K‐12 CBE implementation were fairly consistent across studies. Factors perceived as barriers in some contexts were viewed as facilitators in others—it all depended on stage of implementation. Findings about the outcomes of CBE for K‐12 students reflected mixed results with respect to claims that CBE implementation supports (a) academic achievement and progress; (b) intrinsic motivation and engagement; and (c) other important academic outcomes. Discussion Undergirding all findings in this review is the difficulty of isolating the research on implementation and outcomes of K‐12 CBE approaches in some “pure form.” It may make more sense for the field to coalesce around a common continuum of practices in relation to the key elements of CBE from more traditional models to more competency‐based models. Also, assessment as a key feature of CB implementation was absent from most of the studies reviewed which is notable given that determining competence is fundamentally an assessment decision. Directions for future research are discussed. Conclusion For many, the promise of CBE and related practices is that student achievement will improve and minimize equity gaps. This systematic review serves to amplify what is known about CBE approaches and what still needs investigation.

This exploratory study uses data from 413 principals to examine whether and how competency-based education has been implemented in the Northeast states and the extent to which there is variation in implementation between states with different policies. Results suggest that competency-based practices that are most similar to current practices are reported more and practices that diverge from current practices are reported less. There were statistically significant differences between states with “advanced” and nonexistent competency-based education policies on three measures. Secondary principals could use this study to understand key features of the reform and the likely barriers and challenges to implementation regardless of their state policy context.

New Hampshire’s Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE) pilot received a waiver from federal statutory requirements related to state annual achievement testing starting in the 2014-15 school year. PACE is considered an “innovative” assessment and accountability system because performance assessments are used to help determine student proficiency in most federally required grades and subjects instead of the state achievement test. One key criterion for success in the early years of the PACE innovative assessment system is “no harm” on the statewide accountability test. This descriptive study examines the effect of PACE on Grades 8 and 11 mathematics and English language arts student achievement during the first three years of implementation (2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17 school years) and the extent to which those effects vary for certain student subgroups using results from the state’s accountability tests (Smarter Balanced and SATs). Findings suggest that students in PACE schools tend to exhibit small positive effects on the Grades 8 and 11 state achievement tests in both subjects in comparison to students attending non-PACE comparison schools. Lower achieving students tended to exhibit small positive differential effects, whereas male students tended to exhibit small negative differential effects. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.

This study investigates the predictive validity and policy impact of Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation minimum admission requirements in Standard 3.2 on teacher preparation programs (TPPs), their applicants, and the broader field of educator preparation. Undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from 533 program graduates in one master’s-level TPP were examined for their ability to predict graduate GPA and the effect minimum admissions criteria had on enrollment. Findings indicate that only undergraduate GPA is moderately related to a program graduate’s success, controlling for student background characteristics. The study also finds that implementing GRE scores as a criterion in admissions decisions significantly reduces the number of admitted candidates so that the program may no longer be financially sustainable. These findings suggest many negative consequences may result from minimum admission requirements and more research is needed to evaluate the potential impact on other TPPs, teacher labor markets, and student learning outcomes.