Subject to the availability of state funds, California statute requires all teacher preparation programs to assess their candidates’ teaching performance before recommending them for a teaching credential. During the last few difficult budget years, funds have not been allocated in the Annual Budget Act for this purpose. However, in anticipation of the future funding of this requirement, the campuses of the CSU have been engaged in active preparation. All campuses have been engaged in learning about the construction and implementation of valid and reliable teacher assessments, and faculty have taken every opportunity to participate in professional development activities designed to increase their knowledge and skill in the measurement of teaching performance.

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing developed a model teaching performance assessment instrument (CA TPA), and many CSU campuses participated in the field testing and limited piloting of this system. In addition, several CSU campuses joined forces with Stanford University and the University of California to develop the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT) system, an alternative to the CCTC-developed instrument. Funding for this effort was provided through several grants, which enabled the full development and field testing of the PACT system. Several campuses are also developing local assessment systems that will, when fully funded, meet requirements for validity and reliability in measurement. Each of these assessment models is designed to provide carefully derived data on teacher performance, which could be incorporated into a statewide accountability system. The California State University stands ready to fully implement the teaching performance assessment requirements when the governor and legislature provide for its funding in the future.