Field Test Policies

Pilot/Field Test Rules of Participation

By participating in a pilot/field test, you are agreeing to abide by the pilot/field test Rules of Participation and all rules, procedures, and policies communicated to you during this assessment.

For the purpose of these Rules of Participation, the following definitions apply:

• "Evaluation Systems." Evaluation Systems, a business of NCS Pearson, Inc. (referred to throughout as Evaluation Systems).
• "Program." The educator preparation program in which the candidate is enrolled.
• "State Agency." The educator certification agency in any state in which an edTPA candidate is pursuing certification with this assessment.

1. PURPOSE OF ASSESSMENT: I understand that this assessment is administered for the purpose of fulfilling a program requirement and/or a state teaching credentialing requirement and is only to be taken by individuals to fulfill such requirement(s). I certify that I am taking this assessment, as part of the pilot/field test activity, to fulfill a program requirement or for the purpose of teacher credentialing.
2. ORIGINALITY OF SUBMISSION: I understand that by submitting my pilot/field test materials, I am confirming that I am the person who has completed the assessment, that I have primary responsibility for teaching the students/class during the learning segment profiled in this assessment, that the video clip(s) submitted show me teaching the students/class profiled, that the student work included in the documentation is that of my students and completed during the learning segment documented in this assessment, that I am the sole author of the narratives and other written responses to prompts and other requests for information in this assessment, and that I have cited all materials in the assessment whose sources are from published text, the Internet, or any other source, including other educators.
3. PERMISSIONS AND CONFIDENTIALITY: I understand that I am responsible for obtaining appropriate permissions from the parents/guardians/families of my students and from adults that appear in the video clip(s) I submit. I understand that I am not allowed to submit video, photographs or student work that I do not have permission to use to fulfill the requirements of the pilot/field test. I agree to produce such permissions if requested after I submit my assessment. I have ensured confidentiality of individuals appearing in the video clip(s) I submit by uploading the video only to the designated pilot/field test site. I understand that I may use my assessment materials according to the parameters of the release forms obtained for minors and/or adults who appear in the video clip(s). I will not display the videos publicly (e.g., personal websites, YouTube, Facebook). Violation of any of these privacy requirements with respect to the video can have serious consequences that could affect your career as a teacher.
4. ASSESSMENT MATERIALS: I acknowledge that I am not permitted to reproduce or share any of the information or materials from the pilot/field test (e.g., handbooks) for commercial purposes. If I do reproduce information or materials from the pilot/field test for personal use, I will properly attribute the copyright of such materials to the State Agency.
5. USE OF ASSESSMENT: I agree that my pilot/field test submission, including text, graphics, digital files, and video or audio recordings, without the use of my name or other identifying information, may be used by the State Agency, Evaluation Systems, and/or other entities authorized by the State Agency for assessment development and implementation, including assessor training associated with this program.
6. PILOT/FIELD TEST RESULTS AND CANCELLATION: I understand that my pilot/field test passing status will be reported to me; to my program; to the State Agency; and to any other institution, entity, or person authorized by the State Agency or required by law to receive this information. Pilot/field test results are used anonymously by the State Agency and Evaluation Systems along with candidate responses to background questions for pilot/field test analyses and assessment development. I understand that any information provided by me or my program as part of registration or my responses to background questions may be used to report passing status or to contact me regarding assessment- or program-related issues. Once I submit my assessment, I cannot request the cancellation of scoring or score reporting.
7. CONFORMITY WITH PROCEDURES: I understand that if my submitted evidence, videos, and/or related documentation do not comply with the current pilot/field test rules, requirements, and policies as specified on the edTPA website, my submission or portions thereof may not be scored.
8. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS: I understand and agree that liability for assessment activities, including but not limited to the adequacy or accuracy of assessment materials, scoring, results reports, information provided to me in connection with the pilot/field test and the adequacy of protection of candidate information, will be limited to score confirmation. I understand and agree that liability for data loss or file corruption associated with my submission will be limited to an additional submission. I waive any and all rights to all other claims, specifically including but not limited to claims for negligence arising out of any acts or omissions of the State Agency, Evaluation Systems, and/or the program which is requiring completion of the pilot/field test (including the agents, employees, contractors, or professional advisors of the State Agency, Evaluation Systems, or such entity).
9. PROGRAM CHANGES: I understand that the pilot/field test and associated policies and procedures are subject to change at the sole discretion of the State Agency and Evaluation Systems.
10. COMPLIANCE: I understand that if I fail to comply with the pilot/field test rules, requirements, and policies specified or referenced on the edTPA website, including these pilot/field test Rules of Participation, or if I take any prohibited actions, my results may be voided. Legal proceedings and actions may be pursued as well as other remedies deemed appropriate by the State Agency, my program, or Evaluation Systems, as appropriate. In addition, I understand that assessment fraud may be grounds for denial, revocation, and/or suspension of a credential or other serious consequences that could affect your career as a teacher.
11. RULES: I understand that should any of these pilot/field test rules or any other requirement or provision contained on the edTPA website be declared or determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the remaining rules, requirements, and provisions will not be affected and the illegal or invalid rule, requirement, or provision shall not be deemed a part of the pilot/field test. The headings of each of the pilot/field test Rules of Participation are for convenient reference only. They are not a part of the rules themselves; they do not necessarily reflect the entire subject matter of each rule; and they are not intended to be used for the purpose of modifying, interpreting, or construing any of these pilot/field test Rules of Participation. I agree that any legal action arising in connection with my participation in the pilot/field test shall be brought in the state and federal courts governing St. Paul, Minnesota, and I consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

Before you record and submit your video recordings, you must:

1. Review the Permissions and Confidentiality section of the Pilot/Field Test Rules of Participation.
2. Verify permissions for all individuals who appear in a video recording.
   1. Check with your school or district to verify that appropriate permissions are on file from the parents/guardians/families of students and from adults who appear in any video recording, including video captured in an online setting.

   OR

   2. If the appropriate permissions are not on file with your school or district, you may use the sample pilot/field test consent forms provided for your reference on the edTPA website. Check with your preparation program for other specific information (e.g., district requirements) that may be required to include in the consent forms you use for completion of the pilot/field test. Retain the permissions in your own files according to the protocol of the school or district where you recorded the video and for as long as you plan to use the video for educative purposes.

To protect confidentiality, please remove your name and use pseudonyms or general references (e.g., "the district") for your program, school, district, and cooperating teacher. Mask or remove all names on any typed or written material (e.g., narratives, lesson plans, student work samples) that could identify individuals or groups. During video recording, use students' first names only.

In order to protect the privacy of all individuals who appear in a video recording, you should:

• Securely store your video recording
• Upload your video recording only to the edTPA website for scoring
• Prior to submission, securely provide your video recording to support providers associated with your preparation program—including faculty, supervisors, cooperating teachers, mentor teachers, peers, and others who may offer assistance (e.g., tutors)—for the purpose of collecting formative feedback in accordance with the Pilot/Field Test Guidelines for Acceptable Support

You may not:

• Store/upload your video to a shared system other than the edTPA website or another secure system designated by your educator preparation program
• Display the video publicly (e.g., through personal websites, YouTube™, or Facebook™)
• Use the video recording for any purpose that is not within the parameters of the signed consent forms for all individuals featured in the video

This document outlines policies and guidelines for supporting candidates during their completion of the pilot/field test. These guidelines apply to all support providers including faculty, supervisors, cooperating teachers, mentor teachers, peers, and others who may provide assistance (e.g., a tutor). Consistent with research on student learning, programs are encouraged to help candidates examine expectations for performance evaluated by the pilot/field test in meaningful ways, and discuss how they will demonstrate their performance in relation to those expectations. Since the pilot/field test is to be embedded within an educator preparation program, it is expected that candidates will engage in professional conversations with support providers about teaching and learning associated with the outcomes assessed by the pilot/field test. Support providers are encouraged to review the language, structure, and progression of a candidate's submission against the pilot/field test rubrics, and to provide formative feedback and guidance to the candidate as part of the preparation program experience. Below are examples of acceptable forms of support that may be provided to candidates completing the pilot/field test.

These activities constitute required forms of support for candidates within the pilot/field test process:

• providing candidates with access to pilot/field test handbooks, templates, and other explanatory materials about the pilot/field test and expectations for candidate performance on the assessment
• explaining pilot/field test handbooks and rubrics, and guiding discussions about them
• engaging candidates in formative experiences aligned with the pilot/field test (e.g., assignments on the plan, teach and assess, reflect, and apply sequence)
• ensuring that candidates complete the assessment within a cooperating school or district during their clinical experience and verify appropriate permissions for all individuals who appear in any video recording
• providing candidates who are not successful on the pilot/field test with additional support to engage in any subsequently required operational assessments

These activities constitute acceptable, but not required forms of support for candidates within the pilot/field test process:

• reviewing examples of effective teaching (e.g., lesson plans, classroom observations, feedback to students) using pilot/field test rubrics or support documents
• referring candidates to a writing workshop or center for assistance in improving writing for course assignments, as long as the assistance is not in the form of direct editing of submission materials
• recommending and/or providing specific assistance to address areas in which the candidate has demonstrated a need for improvement (e.g., Integrated ELD, reflective writing, professional writing about students, using knowledge of students to plan instruction, differentiating instruction)
• explaining scoring rubrics by using them in formative exercises or assignments outside of the ones the candidate will submit for scoring
• linking content and experiences from the preparation program to the TPEs as measured by the pilot/field test handbooks and rubrics
• providing a schedule/timeline for completion of the pilot/field test
• conducting check-in meetings to discuss timelines and deliverables, and to ascertain or address candidate questions
• co-planning an instructional segment with a cooperating teacher or peer, while ensuring that the evidence submitted for the pilot/field test represents the original work of the candidate(s)
• providing access to translations of instructional materials for submissions that include evidence in languages other than English and require translations
• paraphrasing or answering candidate questions about the content of a handbook, rubrics, directions (including templates), or support documents such as the pilot/field test assessment materials
• encouraging candidates to self-assess their draft responses or video recordings against the pilot/field test rubrics without providing direct edits to responses or specific answers to pilot/field test prompts
• answering common questions about the pilot/field test in a group setting
• facilitating candidate discussion groups that are intended to provide peer-to-peer support for completing the pilot/field test while maintaining the original work of each candidate
• directing candidates to resources on current research and evidence-based practices, and to experts in the field who are knowledgeable about the content of the handbooks and rubrics
• assisting candidates in understanding how to use the electronic platform for accessing materials and uploading submissions
• arranging technical assistance for video-recorded portions of the pilot/field test
• providing and discussing support documents such as these guidelines for acceptable support and the Pilot/Field Test Rules of Participation

Although there may be many opportunities for support providers to encourage a candidate's deeper understanding and demonstration of pedagogy, other supports are not acceptable within the pilot/field test process. These unacceptable forms of support will undermine the use of the assessment as a determinant of a candidate's status with respect to the TPEs and as an indicator of preparation program quality and effectiveness. Engaging in these activities could lead to a candidate's loss of the credential and jeopardize a program's accreditation status.

The following activities constitute unacceptable forms of support for candidates completing the pilot/field test:

• providing a candidate with the content or answer in response to a pilot/field test prompt (e.g., selecting for a candidate the focus students, analyzing student work, determining next steps for instruction for a group of students)
• editing and/or revising a candidate's response prior to submission
• conjecturing on pilot/field test performance requirements, expectations, or what is deemed as sufficient evidence
• using institutional terms and definitions as substitutes for those used in the pilot/field test
• offering alternative responses or answers to prompts for a candidate's draft responses prior to submission for official scoring
• telling a candidate which video clips or work samples to select for submission
• uploading a candidate's responses (written or video-recorded) to publicly available websites or through social media

Before preparing your pilot/field test submission, review the Pilot/Field Test Submission Requirements to ensure that

• your responses meet the technical specifications for required evidence, and
• you have provided all the evidence necessary for your submission to be scored.

A scorable submission is one that can be reviewed by an assessor and have scores assigned according to every rubric.

Submission Requirements

In order for your submission to be scored, it must meet these Submission Requirements.

• Bilingual Authorization. California candidates of the Preliminary Multiple Subject and Education Specialist Teaching Credentials who are concurrently earning a Bilingual Authorization must adhere to the additional requirements outlined in the "Important Information About Translations/Transcripts" section of the California state page on this website.
• Lesson Plans. You must use the prescribed California strands/standards, practices, and frameworks as outlined in the edTPA handbook for your respective field to write your learning goals.
• Video. Any required video must conform to the technical specifications (e.g., format, file type) stipulated in the pilot/field test assessment materials and be viewable by assessors. After uploading a video file, review each of your videos prior to submitting your assessment. You are responsible for ensuring that your submitted video files meet the technical specifications and can be viewed by assessors by confirming successful playback prior to submission. In addition, submitted video clip segment(s) must be continuous and unedited, with no interruption in events (e.g., you may not edit a video clip segment to remove "quiet time" when students are working independently, edit out physical transitions, or edit out disruptive student behavior).
• Audio. The audio for video files must be intelligible to assessors. Review each of your videos prior to submission for potential background noise or poor audio quality that would interfere with an assessor's ability to hear you and your students. Please note that some environments (e.g., auditorium, gymnasium, pool) are less conducive to audio recording, and make any appropriate adjustments when recording your video to ensure audio quality. In addition, the audio for any submitted video clip(s) must be continuous and unedited, with no interruptions (e.g., you may not add music).
• Sufficient Evidence. Your materials must provide sufficient evidence so that assessors can evaluate your performance according to the pilot/field test rubrics. An assessor may be unable to assign a score according to one or more rubrics due to the following reasons:
  • A response is unrelated to the assessment prompt.
  • Insufficient information is submitted to be able to evaluate performance.
  • The incorrect file was uploaded to the designated location.
  • The file was blank, containing no text or graphics, or the video clip or audio file contained no content.
  • The file could not be opened for technical reasons (e.g., file extension does not match file type).
  • Documents are illegible (e.g., handwriting illegible; if student work sample is illegible a transcript should be provided, images are blurry, reduced in size, or otherwise cannot be read).
  • Referenced material is not submitted (e.g., Task 4 Learning Segment Template is referenced or described in the response, but not submitted).
  • Hyperlinks to external documents are provided in lieu of the actual documents.
• English Translation.
  • Translations or transcriptions are NOT required for the following:
    • concurrent bilingual candidates who are in a placement where a language other than English is exclusively used for instruction, or who are in a placement where both English and another language are used for instruction
      NOTE: Analysis and reflection narratives must be primarily in English
    • candidates who registered for the World Languages assessment
    • candidates using American Sign Language (ASL) with students who are deaf or hard of hearing
    • candidates using Braille instructional materials with students who are visually impaired
  • For all other candidates, any evidence in a language other than English must be accompanied by a translation.

In addition to these specific Submission Requirements, you must also review and comply with all policies and guidelines and all other pilot/field test requirements contained on the edTPA website and in the assessment materials.

If you are unable to resolve a technical issue observed when you review your uploaded materials, contact Customer Support for assistance prior to submission.

Pilot/Field Test Unscorable Submissions

If your submission does not meet the Pilot/Field Test Submission Requirements as described above, it may be deemed unscorable. In this case, your score report will be marked as "Not Scorable," and each rubric will be assigned a code of "U" in place of a numerical score.

Candidates whose pilot/field test submissions are marked "Not Scorable" will not have met the minimum pilot/field test passing standard and will need to retake the requisite assessment(s) as described in the respective pilot/field test passing standards.

In order to submit your assessment for the pilot/field test, you must confirm the following.

As the candidate, I confirm that:

• I have reviewed and understand the Pilot/Field Test Passing Standard and the repercussions should I fail to meet that standard.
• I have reviewed and agree to the Pilot/Field Test Rules of Participation.
• I am the person who has completed and will be submitting the assessment.
• I am sole author of the submission, including written evidence, videos, narratives, and other requests for information in this assessment.
• I have abided by my institution's policy for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in preparing my submission.
• I have primary responsibility for teaching the students/class during the learning segment profiled in this assessment.
• The video clip(s) submitted show me teaching the students/class profiled in the assessment submitted.
• The student work included in the documentation is that of my students, completed during the learning segment documented in this assessment.
• I have appropriately cited all materials in the assessment whose sources are from published text, the Internet, or any other source, including other educators.
• I have obtained permission from the parents/guardians/families of my students and from adults who appear in the video.
• I have ensured confidentiality by uploading videos only to the designated pilot/field test site. I have received the necessary permissions for any students or other individuals appearing in the videos, and can produce such permissions, if requested. I have not shared or posted and I will not share or post the videos to any other location, non-secured locations, and/or publicly accessible locations (e.g., YouTube, Facebook).
• I understand and agree that my pilot/field test results will be reported by Evaluation Systems Pearson (Evaluation Systems) to my program and to the appropriate State Agency.
• I agree that my assessment, including my responses, without the identification of my name, may be used by the State Agency and Evaluation Systems for program research, development, and implementation, and for assessor training associated with the assessment.
• I acknowledge that I am not permitted to reproduce any of the pilot/field test assessment materials.

I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the attestations above, under penalty of perjury. I understand that by submitting my pilot/field test portfolio to Evaluation Systems, my submission is final, and I will no longer have access to my files through the ePortfolio system for any edits or reviews.

Changing Your Pilot/Field Test Registration

If you wish to update your contact information, you may do so through your account at any time before uploading your submission for scoring. To correct your name, date of birth, or Social Security number, you must submit written documentation about the change along with copies of official, original verification of the information (e.g., marriage certificate, court order). See the How Do I Update My Account? page for instructions on submitting these materials.

If you wish to update your responses to background question(s) that you provided during registration, you may do so through your account at any time before submitting your assessment materials for scoring.

If you wish to change the assessment for which you are registered, you must withdraw your current registration and register for the appropriate assessment.

Because of laws protecting confidentiality and privacy, only you can register yourself for the test or make inquiries regarding your registration or test results.

Evaluation Systems takes reasonable precautions to protect the integrity of your personal information. A complete privacy policy is available on this website.

The State Agency uses the background information you provide as part of your registration (including ethnicity, gender, and date of birth) to satisfy legal requirements, to conduct research that benefits the improvement of educator preparation programs, and to help ensure the fairness and quality of the assessment for which you are registering. This information will be analyzed as group data only. Examinee-level demographic data will not be provided to score recipient preparation programs. They may be used for statistical and research purposes and will not be used, in whole or in part, to make a determination about any individual.

Your assessment results are reported to you and to any educator preparation program or state agency that you indicated as a score recipient when you registered. If required by state policy, your results are also reported directly to the state associated with your educator preparation program selection.

Candidates may not retake pilot/field tests unless it is expressly allowed in the pilot/field test passing standards pilot/field test passing standards. If your pilot/field test submission does not meet the minimum passing standard or is marked "Not Scorable," you will need to take the requisite assessment(s) as described in the respective pilot/field test passing standards.

Candidates registering for the pilot/field test acknowledge and agree to the policies governing the programs, including the Pilot/Field Test Rules of Participation, at the time of registration. Candidates are also required to attest to their adherence to specific program policies at the time of submitting their assessment materials for scoring. Candidates are advised that failure to comply with the pilot/field test rules, requirements, and policies specified or referenced on the current edTPA website may result in the candidate's assessment results being voided and other actions taken by Evaluation Systems, the candidate's educator preparation program, or the associated State Agency.

During official scoring, portions of a candidate's submitted materials are screened for originality by official assessors and detection software. Submissions are identified for administrative review if screening indicates a match of identical or similar language with other sources. Screening for each submission includes analysis of matched language across any and all source(s), including previously submitted portfolios.

Once under administrative review, submissions undergo an analysis by multiple reviewers. At the conclusion of the administrative review, Evaluation Systems will make a determination on whether the submission under review will be released for scoring and reporting or if all scores will be voided.

If the final decision is to release the results, the candidate will be contacted and told when the Assessment Results Report will be available for viewing in his/her account. In some cases, the candidate may receive a letter indicating that materials demonstrate a possible violation of the assessment policies and cautioning the candidate to comply with assessment rules in the future.

Prior to the voiding of results, a candidate is given an opportunity to provide information, other than the materials already submitted for official scoring, that may support the originality of the candidate's submitted materials. After reviewing the additional information provided by the candidate and considering the final recommendation of the administrative review team, Evaluation Systems may determine to either 1) proceed with official scoring and reporting or 2) void all scores related to the submission. Information provided by a candidate as part of the administrative review may be shared with the State Agency and/or the educator preparation program for additional investigation.

Score Delays Due to an Administrative Review

The originality checking process begins at the time of candidate submission, and screening and additional manual reviews are scheduled to occur prior to the release of results for any given published reporting date. In the event that the administrative review process is not complete by the scheduled reporting date, the results associated with the submission(s) under investigation will be held until the review is complete. In order to protect the privacy of the candidate and the integrity of the results reporting process, detailed information about the basis for the administrative review is not available to candidates or programs during this time.

Voiding of Scores

If results are voided as the final determination of the administrative review process, the candidate will be advised of the void via email. Per the pilot/field test policies, candidates would be required to take the requisite assessment(s) as described in the respective pilot/field test passing standards if results are voided.

The educator preparation program identified by the candidate at the time of registration will also be notified if a candidate's results are voided.

Queries related to the status of an administrative review should be directed to Evaluation Systems' Office of Assessment Practice at ES-OfficeAssessmentPractice@pearson.com.

Voiding of Assessment Results by the State Agency or Evaluation Systems

If you violate one of the Pilot/Field Test Rules of Participation or if doubts are raised about the validity or legitimacy of your registration or assessment results, Evaluation Systems will notify the State Agency and other parties as deemed appropriate by the State Agency.

Evaluation Systems takes reasonable security precautions in developing and administering assessments and in processing assessment results. The State Agency and Evaluation Systems reserve the right to void your results if in their sole opinion there is adequate reason to question the validity or legitimacy of your results, due to misconduct (including, but not limited to, a violation of the program rules, including the Rules of Participation) or to circumstances within or beyond your control.

Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking, and/or suspending a credential. Other actions, as described in the Rules of Participation, may be taken as deemed appropriate by the State Agency and/or Evaluation Systems.