PPAT® assessment Tasks 2 through 4 all require candidates to provide evidence of content knowledge, both in their teaching practices as well as in the assessment of student learning.
While all of the prompts for each task do not prescribe the specific content that must be included, they do draw upon a broad spectrum of content knowledge relevant to an individual candidate's particular area. Candidate responses, which include content, are scored by trained raters who have expertise in the same content area.
Given that PPAT assessment tasks are limited to the content teacher candidates are allowed or instructed to deliver in their assigned clinical experience classrooms, the PPAT assessment does not cover the full breadth and depth of a content discipline. However, the successful completion of the PPAT assessment does require that candidates demonstrate their ability to accurately and effectively teach the content that they choose or are given, and also requires raters to evaluate whether the instructional delivery of the content is accurate and effective.
The PPAT assessment emphasizes the appropriateness and relevance of content selected by candidates in the completion of the assessment, as demonstrated in the content areas below.
- Early Childhood
- English Language Arts
- Math
- Music
- Physical Education
- Science
- Social Studies
- Special Education
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Collaborating for Success: How to Use the PPAT Assessment to Support Teacher Candidates
Watch a panel of education professionals discuss the need for, the utility of, and the implementation of performance assessments. (1hr.)
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An Effective Measurement
Watch State Teachers of the Year share their opinions about the PPAT assessment and how it incorporates the necessary elements to measure teacher candidate effectiveness. (3 mins., 4 secs.)
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Become a Rater
If you are interested in becoming a rater for online scoring of the PPAT, please check the ETS Online Scoring opportunities information.