Guidelines for Completing the CalTPA in an Online Setting

• All assessment requirements must be met regardless of instructional setting.
• Synchronous instruction is required; candidates must be able to see, hear and interact with students in real-time.
• Instruction must continue to be based on California Content Standards and/or Curriculum Frameworks, address cycle-specific parameters, and allow checking for understanding.
• Candidates must teach actual students from their assigned class; candidate’s own children or neighbor children may not be used to create a mock classroom.
• Virtual instruction platforms (e.g., Zoom) should support the ability to record candidate instruction and student engagement for the purpose of generating the required video evidence.
• If video evidence cannot be captured within the online platform, an external camera may be used to generate the required video evidence.
• Candidates and students must be clearly visible in the video clips.
• Uploaded video clips must be continuous and unedited, with the following exceptions:
  • Covering or removing student names to protect privacy is not considered a video edit.
  • Video captured in an online setting such as Zoom, where the video jumps from speaker to speaker, is not considered an edit.
  • The use of video captioning is permitted only to enhance audio intelligibility, i.e., transcribe any conversation that may be difficult to hear or understand. Captions must be embedded within the video file.
• Candidates must adhere to all school or district guidelines for recording in online settings and continue to ensure that appropriate permissions are in place.

• A minimum of three students must engage in the lesson required for Cycle 1. If only three students are engaged in the lesson, the three students must represent the required three focus students.
• The Getting to Know Your Students Template should indicate and briefly describe the online setting.
• The Lesson Plan and Lesson Plan Rationale Template should address any changes made to instructional strategies and/or learning goal(s) due to the online setting.

• The learning segment may include both synchronous and asynchronous instruction. However, the video clips for Steps 2 and 4 must come from synchronous segments that include candidate and student interaction.
• A minimum of three students must engage in the learning segment series of lessons required in Cycle 2. If only three students are participating, their assessment responses must represent the range of student performance required.
• The Contextual Information Template should indicate and briefly describe the online setting.
• The Learning Segment Template should address any changes made to instructional strategies and/or learning goal(s) due to the online setting.
• Candidates must continue to provide blank copies of the informal assessment, student self-assessment, and formal assessment and corresponding rubrics, including definition of proficient student performance.
• Candidates must continue to collect and submit three student formal assessment responses with feedback. If only three students are participating in the learning segment, then all three responses are to be submitted with feedback.
• When selecting assessment strategies, candidates should take into consideration how they will deliver, collect, analyze and provide feedback either through a virtual instruction platform (e.g., Zoom) or other virtual means (e.g., email, Dropbox).
• TK–12 students using a virtual instruction platform (e.g., Zoom) to engage in content-specific learning meets the requirement for students to demonstrate use of educational technology.

• Test your technology before recording for the first time.
• Practice instruction and recording in an online setting prior to conducting the online lesson for the assessment cycle submission.
• Gallery view is recommended if the virtual instruction platform has this feature.
• Candidates should identify themselves without names in the video recording so that it is clear who the candidate is and who the students are, especially in high school settings.
• If using an external camera (not built-in to the recording platform), be sure to test the camera placement in advance to ensure that there is no glare on the computer screen, and that both the candidate and the students on the screen can be clearly seen and heard.

See Educational Technology and Community Resources on the CalTPA Preparation Materials web page for additional resources that may be helpful for completing your performance assessment in an online setting.

• During online learning, be present and fully engaged by regularly and frequently communicating with students through, for example, daily or weekly videos, emails, blogs, chats, discussions, or calls. Be available to answer student questions in a timely manner.
• Simplify the structure of your in-person lesson. Offer short mini-lessons, with a mix of media options, for example, videos, pictures, charts, graphics, music, streaming websites, newspapers, maps, cartoons, or audio books.
• Pace student assignments appropriately and be flexible with due dates. Students should be given ample time to revise or re-do their assignments and assessments as appropriate.
• Read student online written responses, emails, and chat comments carefully. Student responses in online venues can be hard to interpret or understand. Ask students to explain further, elaborate, describe, defend, or argue for their perspective or position. Teach what is and is not allowable during running chats, Zoom calls, and peer feedback; help students develop digital literacy.
• Provide student choice and voice with assignments. Provide options for students to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities. Provide optional enrichment activities.
• Selection of digital platforms and tools are a local decision dependent on local acceptable use policies. Use available technologies that are familiar to students. Take the time to practice technology with students; teach them how to access and use the apps, platforms, programs, and features appropriately. Be sure to secure permissions for video recording online learning settings.
• Ask yourself: In my online lesson, how will a student know what to do? What to do next? How will a student know that a learning activity is successfully completed? How can they self-assess or critique their work product, process, or performance? How will a student know how to signal they are finished with their work product? How will a student ask questions and get timely answers? Engage in peer review?
• Practice well-being strategies and self-care. Engage online with students during the day when you are rested and prepared. Set boundaries for when students can ask questions and expect feedback.
• For English learners and students who receive special education, consider audio recording additional directions that these students can access later if they did not understand or need additional information to assist them with the live lesson. Record virtual "accommodations" for students who may need to listen to or see the demonstration (whatever the lesson calls for) again.