Terryl Yates
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You've Failed the edTPA. Now What?

You've Failed the edTPA. Now What?

Nov 30, 2022

Let's talk about failing the edTPA.

This happens and when it does it is very upsetting and discouraging.

The basic problems with most failing portfolios are that the candidate didn't understand the prompts and/or rubrics, didn't thoroughly explain or justify, or the writing lacked clarity or organization. The most common problems that I see are this:

  1. Candidate did not understand the prompt.

  2. Candidate did not check their work against the corresponding rubric.

  3. Candidate did not write enough details or give examples.

  4. Candidate did not make connections.

  5. Candidate did not organize their writing in a way that makes it easy for the scorer to find evidence.

  6. Procrastination. Sometimes it is evident that things have been thrown together at the last minute.

  7. Candidate did not ask for help or seek resources.

If you fail the edTPA, do you need a tutor?

Most likely.

Most candidates are turning in what they believe to be their best work or, at the very least, a portfolio that will pass. This means that if they do not pass, they are not fully aware of what they are doing wrong, and this will cause them to repeat the same mistakes.

If you do not change your approach to edTPA and increase your understanding of what needs to be written, your likelihood of failing it more than once is increased. That is just rational, common sense.

A tutor can:

  • Help you understand the prompts. If you didn't understand them the first time, why would you understand them the second time around unless you've received clarification?

  • Help you understand the rubrics. Again, if you didn't understand the rubrics the first time, you need guidance to do better the next time.

  • Help you write with better clarity and give more details. Let's face it, the first time (2nd and 3rd?) you turned this in, you felt like your work was good enough to pass. You need a fresh set of eyes.

Hire a tutor.

There are a couple of reasons that people don't hire a tutor.

  • Pride. Is that you? Think about this... If you can't swallow your pride and ask for help then how can you truly model and promote a growth mindset with your own students? Give this some honest reflection.

  • Money. Yes, it can be expensive. But it can be more expensive in the long run to retake the edTPA over and over again. Our Approved Tutors list has choices to fit most budgets. Sometimes people come to me after they have failed 4 or 5 times.

Hire Me and this is what I will do:

  • If you are unsure which tasks to retake, you can schedule a meeting with me and I will go over your score report with you and help you devise a plan.

  • Most importantly, I can provide very thorough feedback on your rewrite. I don't believe there is a tutor out there who is more thorough then I am. I provide written feedback that includes embedded resources and samples. Additionally, I screen record the feedback, explaining everything to you in detail.

  • After using my feedback for your rewrite, you can hire me for a second round of feedback at a reduced rate.

Click here to schedule Tutoring

The Best Course of Action is to Pass it the First Time.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Here is your recipe for success. Do them ALL:

  • Read your handbook.

  • Read Making Good Choices.

  • Buy the Ultimate Guide for Tasks 1, 2, 3 from my TpT store.. The bundles are a better deal. Check them out here.

  • USE the Ultimate Guide. It works if you work it! It will take you step-by-step and will direct you to the corresponding video on YouTube that explain everything. There are also checklists and samples linked into it. This video shows how it is used.

  • Watch my YouTube videos! Why not? They're Free!!!

  • Once you've purchased the Ultimate Guide, you are invited to join a private Facebook Group that is just for customers and clients: edTPA First Class Lounge.

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Don't let edTPA stand in your way!

Mamaw Yates

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