Module 4: Observing and Evaluating your Student Teacher
Student Teaching Semester ONLY!
If you are a CE working with a YLI candidate, this information will be helpful for you to review; however, you will not complete UNC Charlotte student teaching assessment documents discussed in this module until the student teaching semester. YLI candidate CEs are encouraged to review this module again before the start of the student teaching semester.
Candidate Preservice Assessment for Student Teaching (CPAST)
Clinical Educators should contact their faculty site coordinator for access to the CPAST documents
During the student teaching semester, all CEs will use the CPAST rubric and recording form. The CPAST rubric is a valid and reliable formative and summative assessment tool used during the student teaching semester. CPAST includes a 21-row rubric and supplementary information necessary for student teaching observation and evaluation. Each of the 21 rows contains detailed descriptions of observable and measurable behaviors to guide scoring decisions. The rubric includes two subscales: (1) Pedagogy and (2) Dispositions, which are divided as follows:
Pedagogy
- Planning for Instruction and Assessment
- Instructional Delivery
- Assessment
- Analysis of Teaching
Dispositions
- Professional Commitment and Behaviors
- Professional Relationships
- Critical Thinking and Reflective Practice
CE CPAST Form
Clinical Educators should contact their faculty site coordinator for access to the CPAST documents
You will use the CPAST rubric and record your ratings on the CE CPAST Form. A link to view the CPAST rubric is conveniently embedded at the top of your CE CPAST Form as you work to assign your ratings. At the start of the student teaching semester, your assigned Faculty Site Coordinator (FSC) will provide you access to a personalized version of this form for you to use/edit throughout the semester. You will use the same CE CPAST Form to record your CPAST ratings during each of the three assessment periods throughout the student teaching semester. Specific dates for completion of this form will be shared with you by your assigned FSC.
Important CPAST Scoring Considerations for CEs **VERY IMPORTANT**
Please open the rubric that is embedded at the top of your CE CPAST Form and carefully review each row of the rubric. Please also take note of the examples and sources of evidence that are included to help you in assigning ratings. The titles of the categories can be misleading, so please read the rubric carefully prior to assigning your ratings!
CPAST Ratings
CPAST ratings are holistic, meaning they should not reflect how your ST performed on a single day or lesson, but rather how they are doing overall in each area of the rubric.
CPAST Rating Levels:
- Level 0 = Does Not Meet Expectations
- Level 1 = Emerging
- Level 2 = Meets Expectations (goal by the end of the semester)
- Level 3 = Exceeds Expectations
Please do NOT include “N/A,” decimals, or fraction ratings (e.g., 1.5 or 1½). Ratings should only be whole numbers, 0-3.
Instead of inflating scores as a means of encouragement, please be honest in your ratings and discuss them with your ST. You are looking for evidence that aligns with the CPAST rubric, and consistency overall.
Common Scoring Pitfalls:
- Even if a ST has worked really hard in an area, please remember that a ST should only advance to the next level of the rubric if they are consistently demonstrating everything that is listed at the next level! If you want to indicate that progress has been made, or provide any context for your ratings, the CE CPAST Form includes space for you to do so in the comments section.
- Please see the chart below for some examples of common vs less common CPAST ratings during each of the three assessment periods.
| Period | More Common | Less Common |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Assess. Period | -ST begins the semester mostly with a mix of 0s and/or 1s. -Some areas (particularly dispositions, rows N-U of the rubric) may be at level 2 at the start of the semester. | -ST begins the semester with mostly or all 2s and/or 3s. |
| 2nd Assess. Period | -Some or many areas may be at level 2. -ST still has a 0 or 1 in some areas. -Few, if any, areas scored at level 3. | -ST has mostly or all 2s and/or 3s. |
| 3rd Assess. Period | -ST earns all 2s. -Few, if any, areas scored at level 3. For dispositions (rows N-U of the rubric), STs may have earned some 3s. | -ST has many areas still marked at a level 0 or 1.-ST has earned all 3s. |
Remember: A ST can only be at a given level if they are consistently demonstrating everything written at that specific rating level. Be careful with the rubric descriptor requirements for each level, as they often switch between “AND” & “AND/OR. STs should aim to meet expectations (level 2) in all areas of the CPAST rubric by the end of the semester!
CPAST Consensus “Three-way” Meeting
The CE, ST, and FSC will independently assign CPAST suggested ratings using their respective forms. During the second (midterm) assessment period, the ST, CE, and FSC will conduct a “three-way meeting” to review and compare suggested CPAST ratings. Collaboratively, everyone will discuss and decide on “consensus scores.” STs are encouraged to bring evidence and artifacts to the three-way consensus meeting to support the ratings they’ve given themselves. Goals will be collectively developed for the ST to focus on for the remainder of the semester. During the third (final) three-way conference, a summative consensus evaluation is completed in the same way as the mid-point consensus meeting. Your assigned FSC will provide more information on the three-way consensus meetings that will take place during the semester.
CE Observation Log
Clinical Educators should contact their faculty site coordinator for access to the CPAST documents
Using the CE Observation Log, the CE is required to complete six observations of the ST during the student teaching semester (2x per month). The observation log guides conversations around areas of strength, goals from CPAST, areas of improvement, and next steps for both the ST and CE. When scheduling these observations, keep in mind that the ST will need time to successfully implement feedback prior to your next observation. Your assigned FSC will provide you access to a personalized, digital version of this form for you to use/edit at the start of the student teaching semester.
Certification of Teaching Capacity (CTC)
Click here to view a copy of the CTC
STs must meet all of the requirements on the CTC in order to receive a teaching license recommendation from UNC Charlotte. The CTC is a working document that should be discussed throughout the student teaching semester with the ST and FSC. Once all items have been met, the principal, CE, FSC, and ST must all digitally sign indicating their agreement. Your assigned FSC will provide you access to a personalized, digital version of this form for you to use/edit at the start of the student teaching semester.
NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH THESE ASSESSMENT TOOLS?
- Please reach out to your assigned FSC!
- Click here to learn more about CPAST.
- Contact OSCP – oscp-coed@uncc.edu or 704-687-8802