This book is designed to assist the Special Education pre-service teacher plan and prepare a successful edTPA portfolio assessment. Creation of this portfolio requires the candidate to plan, implement, and assess a series of three to five lessons designed specifically for one student with a disability. In total, the portfolio amounts to the writing of up to fifty pages of commentary and analysis of their pedagogical skills.
The need for pre-service teachers in special education to receive a passing score on the edTPA portfolio assessment has become a requirement for teacher certification and the successful completion of a degree preparation program in the majority of states in the USA. The creation of a successful, high quality edTPA portfolio necessitates the incorporation of teaching and assessment strategies geared towards students with disabilities, or the “focus learner” in edTPA parlance. This book will provide the Special Education pre-service teacher and edTPA candidate with detailed guidance on the development of a high-quality portfolio. The reader will discover here a wealth of best practices and proven strategies that teacher candidates of special education are sure to find highly beneficial in creating their portfolio.
