In 2015-16, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) piloted its Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP), a new performance assessment for teacher candidates. CAP is designed to improve teacher preparation statewide by ensuring that newly credentialed educators are ready to teach when they enter the classroom.

By aligning expectations for teacher candidates with the state’s Educator Evaluation Framework (EEF) for in-service educators, CAP represents a major shift in educator preparation.

As part of a research-practitioner partnership between ESE and Abt Global that focuses on CAP implementation, Abt conducted interviews with program leaders, program supervisors, supervising practitioners (e.g., cooperating teachers), and teacher candidates from Clark University, Fitchburg State University, and Lesley University. This brief summarizes key findings and takeaways about Sponsoring Organizations’ early experiences with CAP, and includes links to resources to support CAP implementation.