The Massachusetts Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) is designed to assess the overall readiness of teacher candidates at the conclusion of their preparation experience. By requiring teacher candidates to demonstrate their readiness, Massachusetts will ensure that new teachers enter classrooms prepared to make an impact with their students on day one. CAP creates an intentional bridge from preparation to practice by aligning preparation expectations with the Massachusetts Educator Evaluation Framework for in-service educators. This allows Sponsoring Organizations to ensure that teacher candidates have the most relevant skills and knowledge necessary to be effective teachers in Massachusetts.
The goals of CAP are:
- To measure teacher candidates’ practice on key Indicators as outlined in the Guidelines for the Professional Standards for Teachers (PSTs);
- To support teacher candidates in improving their practice through targeted feedback and performance evaluations; and
- To ensure teacher candidates are ready to make impact with students on day one.
The Educator Preparation Unit CAP Practicum Handbook is provided as a resource for all programs from which programs can add any nuanced differences required by their program.
The following documents extracted from the handbook are available for all Program Coordinators to use within their programs. (Please note these documents are all ‘live and on-line’ so please go to File, and Save As and Download to your own site for your programs. This will ensure that the templates are NOT changed)
| CAP OBSERVATIONS | CAP ASSESSMENTS | CAP ARTIFACTS |
Professional Standards for Teachers
(a)Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment: Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an on-going basis, and continuously refining learning objectives.
(b)Teaching All Students: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency.
(c)Family and Community Engagement: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
(d)Professional Culture: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice.
7 Essential Elements Aug 2020 extracted from the Professional Standards for Teachers – used in the CAP observation process above.
CAP Trainings will be held in the Fall of 2022 and Spring 2023. Click on the title above to access videos of previously recorded trainings that might be helpful.