Frequently Asked Questions

Note: this information is excerpted from the PACT Candidate Handbook. For detailed information, please review to the handbook. Page references refer to the handbook.

1. What happens if I don’t pass the Teaching Event?

There are several different remediation processes for candidates who do not pass the Teaching Event. The table on page 22 outlines by task the kind of remediation steps that would be necessary if you received a failing score for one or more of your Teaching Event tasks. Under some circumstances, candidates will be allowed to immediately repeat the steps necessary for producing a new Teaching Event and can submit their revised Teaching Event with no delay. Under different circumstances, candidates will need to reenroll in a student teaching course during a subsequent semester. Their department will provide them with a student teaching placement that will allow them to complete a new Teaching Event. All necessary and appropriate steps needed for any candidate who has failed the Teaching Event will be outlined in the remediation plan provided to him or her by his or her Coordinator (as noted on page 23).

Because the Teaching Event is a key summative assessment used to determine candidate competence and therefore suitability for a recommendation for the credential, failure to pass the Teaching Event will delay recommendation of the candidate for the credential.

You do have the right to appeal the score assigned your Teaching Event. You must do so within seven days of receiving your score. Your appeal must be filed with the Teacher Preparation and Credentials Office. Upon receipt of your appeal, the Teacher Preparation and Credentials Office Director will formally notify the Dean’s Office that will then convene the Credential Appeals Committee to review the process and procedures used to score your Teaching Event.

Please note that your appeal is evaluated based on whether or not approved processes and procedures were utilized in the scoring of your Teaching Event and not on whether or not the ultimate score received was accurate.

2. Why am I required to complete the PACT Teaching Event?

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) requires that institutions with Multiple (MS) or Single Subject (SS) Credential Programs have an approved Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) for their candidates. The California State University, Sacramento MS and SS Programs have been approved by the CCTC on the basis, in part, that all candidates successfully complete the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT) which includes the Teaching Event to meet the requirement of the TPA.

3. What happens if I do not pass?

If you do not pass the Teaching Event, your Teaching Event will automatically have a second reading by another trained assessor. If the second assessor does not score you as passing, then you will need to complete a new Teaching Event. Your failing score will be accompanied by a remediation plan; your coordinator should review this plan with you to ensure that you understand the necessary steps you must take. You may also appeal the score (as detailed in the Student Teacher Handbook located on the College of Education webpage).

4. What is the pass rate?

At this time the pass rate has been high, but the CSUS Programs have been piloting the Teaching Event with only a portion of the MS and SS candidates in the pilot. Beginning with the candidates admitted to Fall Semester, 2008, all MS and SS candidates must pass the Teaching Event in their teaching areas. At the end of Spring, 2009, there will be a much better idea of the passing rate.

5. How much time should I set aside for the Teaching Event?

This varies for each candidate. In general, however, the Teaching Event should be a major focus for the entire semester beginning in the first week of the semester with the identification of the student and classroom characteristics and the instructional focus you will have for your Teaching Event. It is also important that you are very familiar with the requirements of all Tasks of the Teaching Event early in the semester and respond to the Task prompts in a timely manner so that when you complete your video taping you will have completed a majority of the first four of five Tasks.

6. Will successfully passing the Teaching Event help me find a teaching position?

Perhaps, but not directly; however, since the purpose of the TPA is to assess your skills as a beginning teacher, the process should give you confidence in teaching position interviews. In addition, the Teaching Event represents evidence of your teaching. It is possible that interviewers may desire to see an example of your planning, a video of your teaching, or a sample of your instruction and assessment strategies. The experience should also prepare you for your beginning teacher induction program, e.g., BTSA, and it is possible that your induction mentor will want to learn about your experience with the Teaching Event as a beginning point for developing your induction plan.

7. What if my students really act up on the video or if my carefully planned lessons or activities did not work?

Prepare your students for the days you video tape by explaining the purpose of the video and your expectations of their behavior. You may want to tape one or two class periods before the lessons you plan to use for your Teaching Event, thus acclimating your class to the presence of a video camera. If your students’ behaviors or your lessons do not meet your expectations, respond to the Task prompts honestly, focusing on your reflections. Remember, you are a student teacher and the assessors want to know if you can meet certain expectations as well as if you recognize your teaching behaviors and where you need to improve.

8. Should I keep a copy of all the materials, including the video?

Yes, you should keep both a hard copy and digital copy of your Teaching Event. Although your faculty takes the utmost care of your materials, many candidates’ Teaching Events are sent to the assessing agency for additional reading and there is also always the possibility of your material being misplaced. Also see FAQ #5 for ways you may use your Teaching Event.