Credential Programs

Process

How to complete the CalTPA 

Multiple Subject and Single Subject candidates will complete both cycles in the Performance Assessment course while concurrently enrolled in Clinical Practice. Education Specialist candidates will complete cycle 1 in EDU 5326 and cycle 2 when enrolled in Clinical Practice.

CalTPA Cycles

Multiple Subject Candidates

Single Subject Candidates

Ed Specialist Candidates

Cycle 1: Learning About Students & Planning Instruction/Math Cycle EDU 5160 - 9 units (Clinical Practice) EDU 5260 - 9 units (Clinical Practice) EDU 5326 - 3 units 
Cycle 2: Assessment-Driven Instruction/Literacy Performance Assessment (LPA) EDU 5180 - 3 units (Performance Assessment) EDU 5280 - 3 units (Performance Assessment) EDU 5345, EDU 5346, EDU 5347, or EDU 5348 and EDU 5351 - 9 units (Clinical Practice)

Please refer to the  Candidate Guide to CalTPA Registration. Candidates complete both cycles in the Performance Assessment for Elementary Teachers (EDU 5180) or Secondary  Teachers (EDU 5280) course while concurrently enrolled in Clinical Practice.

Complete cycle 1 in EDU 5326 and cycle 2 when enrolled in Clinical Practice.

Education Specialist candidates complete Cycle 1 in EDU 5325 and cycle 2 when enrolled in clinical practice. 

Multiple Subject Candidates

Single Subject Candidates

Ed Specialist Candidates

Candidates must demonstrate both literacy and mathematics instruction within the CalTPA. 

Before June 30, 2025:  Register for Cycle 1 Math and Cycle 2 Literacy. You must also pass the RICA/Foundations of Reading Exam for your preliminary credential. 

After July 1, 2025:  Register for Cycle 1 Math and the Literacy Performance Assessment (LPA) which also satisfies the RICA/Foundations of Reading requirement.  

Register for one cycle to complete in Literacy (may be Cycle 1 or  2). 

Register for the other cycle to complete in Mathematics.

Register for both cycles in your credential area:

  • Agriculture
  • Art
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Science
  • World Language

Candidates must demonstrate both assessment-driven literacy and math instruction for students with IEPs within the CalTPA.

When registering, candidates must agree to abide by all of the rules and policies posted on the CalTPA Policies website

Pearson charges $150 for each cycle submission or resubmission. Check with the Bronco Bookstore to see if the fee can be covered by Instant Access. Each registration is valid for one year. If you do not submit your cycle for scoring or withdraw your registration within that period, your registration will expire, and you will have to pay $150 to reregister for your cycle(s). For additional information, please refer to Pearson’s Payment Policy. 

Candidates must pay Pearson $150 for each cycle submission or resubmission. Each registration is valid for one year. If you do not submit your cycle for scoring or withdraw your registration within that period, your registration will expire and you will have to pay $150 to reregister for your cycle(s). For additional information, please refer to Pearson’s Payment Policy.

While enrolled in clinical practice, your EDU 5180/5280/5326/5351 course instructor will guide you through the process. You will work with your cooperating teacher/intern support provider, university supervisor and course instructor to develop a submission plan tailored to your assignment.

In EDU 5180/5280/5326/5351 you will complete a series of assignments and professional learning community activities designed help you understand the Cycle 1 and 2 requirements and gather and upload the necessary evidence for your CalTPA submissions.

You will upload and submit your  Cycle 1 and Cycle 2/LPA evidence into Pearson’s ePortfolio System and your personalized Cal Poly Pomona CalTPA folder.

To remain on track to apply for your credential at the end of clinical practice, you must gather the necessary evidence during your clinical practice placement and follow the submission timeline set forth by your EDU 5180/5280/5341, 5351 instructor (and EDU 5326 for ES). Further submission and score release dates are available on the California Educator Credentialing Assessments website under CalTPA or EdSP CalTPA.  

Cycle Week Submit Your Cycle by 11:59 p.m. on: To Receive Results on:

Fall Semester 2023

1 7

October 12, 2023 

November 2, 2023

2 15 December 7, 2023 December 28, 2023
Education Specialist CalTPA
1 or 2 7 October 12, 2023 November 2, 2023
Spring Semester 2024
1 8 March 14, 2024 April 4, 2024
2 Finals May 16, 2024 June 6, 2024
Education Specialist CalTPA
1 or 2 8 March 14, 2024 April 4, 2024

By the end of their EDU 5180/5280/5351 or EDU 5326 course, candidates complete our Late Submission Plan Form to their course instructor and TPA Coordinator. For continued support, candidates that need more time to meet the CalTPA requirement enroll in our TPA Seminar course offered through the College of the Extended University. For further information please contact our CalTPA Coordinator and visit the College of Professional and Global Education Website.

The original passing score standard displayed below for multiple and single subject candidates was adopted August 23, 2019, and for education specialist candidates was adopted October 11, 2022.

 

 

Original  

Passing Standard 

MS/SS Cycle 1 

(8 five-point rubrics): 

19 with no more than one score 1 allowed

MS/SS Cycle 2 

(9 five-point rubrics): 

21 with no more than one score 1 allowed

Mild to Moderate Support Needs Cycle 1

(8 five-point rubrics):  

17 with no more than one score of 1 allowed

Mild to Moderate Support Needs Cycle 2

(9 five-point rubrics):  

19 with no more than one score of 1 allowed

Extensive Support Needs Cycle 1

(8 five-point rubrics):  

15

Extensive Support Needs Cycle 2 

(9 five-point rubrics): 

17

 

In February 2024, the Commission adopted a new secondary passing standard displayed below per Program Sponsor Alert 24-02  

 

Secondary  

Passing Standard 

2/9/2024

MS/SS Cycle 1 

(8 five-point rubrics): 

16 with no more than one score 1 allowed

MS/SS Cycle 2 

(9 five-point rubrics): 

18 with no more than one score 1 allowed.

Mild to Moderate Support Needs Cycle 1

(8 five-point rubrics):  

15 with no more than one score of 1 allowed

Mild to Moderate Support Needs Cycle 2

(9 five-point rubrics):  

17 with no more than one score of 1 allowed

Extensive Support Needs Cycle 1

(8 five-point rubrics):  

12

Extensive Support Needs Cycle 2 

(9 five-point rubrics): 

15

 

To qualify, candidates must complete all other credential requirements including passing the RICA (if multiple subject or education specialist) and enroll in our TPA 103 seminar course. For further information, please review this  video and  document.

On Pearson’s score reporting date, scores are reported directly to our Credential Services Office. You must pass both Cycles to meet the state TPA requirement for your multiple, single subject, or education specialist credential.

Candidates meet with the course instructor/TPA Coordinator to go over their score report and develop a personalized remediation and resubmission plan. Candidates may resubmit for any scheduled scoring session (Refer to the Annual Submission and Reporting Date Calendar) and Pearson charges a $150 resubmission fee. In most cases, candidates can pass by revising and enhancing their former cycle submission. If the candidate has insufficient classroom evidence, another clinical practice placement will be needed.

For additional support, candidates enroll in our TPA Seminar course offered through the College of the Extended University which provides targeted one-on-one support. The cost is $100. For further information, please contact our Program Coordinator and visit the College of Professional and Global Education Website.

Per our policy, candidates are permitted three attempts per Cycle. Candidates who do not pass on the third attempt must meet with the Education Department Appeals and Reinstatement Committee, may be disqualified from the program, and may earn an F in EDU 5180/5280/5351/5326.   

Candidates who wish to appeal their scores may submit a Request for a Score Verification to Pearson within 90 calendar days.

Per our policy, candidates are permitted three attempts per Cycle. Candidates who do not pass on the third attempt must meet with the Education Department Appeals and Reinstatement Committee, may be disqualified from the program, and may earn an F in EDU 5180/5280.   

TPA-related appeals should be directed to the Program Coordinator, then should progress to the Department Chair and the Education Department Appeals and Reinstatement Committee. A good faith effort to settle a dispute at the department level must be made before a formal grievance can be filed.