edTPA Essentials

Streamlined, Aligned, Improved: Our essential exam for classroom practice

What's new—and why it matters

A Simplified Two-Task Design

edTPA Essentials includes two focused tasks:

• Task One: Instructional Decision-Making & Implementation
• Task Two: Assessment & Analysis of Student Learning

This refined structure reduces redundancy while preserving the essential evidence that states and educator preparation programs rely on. Candidates can complete tasks in any order and across varied classroom contexts.

Targeted, Streamlined Evidence Requirements

Fewer artifacts and streamlined content; new prompts target exactly the evidence rubrics require, minimizing complexity while preserving validity.

A Modern, Improved Candidate Experience

Submissions are completed using rich-text editors, and one video per task ensures streamlined evidence of authentic teaching.

Availability: August 2026

At launch, programs/states may set a recommended floor (e.g., X points per task) or adopt state-specific standards informed by local performance data; a national multi-state standard-setting will occur in 2027.

Why edTPA Essentials?

edTPA Essentials delivers a more efficient, flexible assessment experience—supporting candidates, programs, and states with improved usability and evidence-based teaching practices.