MA DESE has created a number of resources to support you in your supervising role for our teacher candidates. Find links to them below along with brief descriptions of each resource.
Click on the resource title below to get to section describing and linking to the resource:
- CAP Guidelines Webpage
- Guidelines for the Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) (2019)
- Handbook for the Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) (2019)
- CAP Rubric
- Professional Standards for Teachers (PSTs) (2015)
- MA Educator Evaluation Framework(Ed Eval)
CAP Guidelines Webpage
For access to all CAP documents and forms as well as a chart laying out the CAP Process, go to the CAP Guidelines Webpage . Screenshots throughout CAP Central come from this webpage.
Guidelines for the Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) (2019)
For a big picture view of the CAP, click here to access the CAP Guidelines (2019) Word document. Note that clicking the link will download the document so look in your downloads on your device. This resource will give you an overall idea of the CAP and the state regulations as well as cross-walks with Ed Eval and Professional Standards for Teachers (PST)s. You’ll also find links to all CAP documents including the CAP Rubric. This document is about 40 pages long.
Handbook for the Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) (2019)
For a detailed, deep dive into each step of the CAP, click here to access the CAP Handbook (2019) Word document. Note that clicking the link will download the document so look in your downloads on your device. This resource will walk you through every step of the CAP, detailing your role and the roles of all people involved. You’ll find all required and recommended forms as well as thorough descriptions of processes>
Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) Rubric
Click here to access the MA DESE CAP Rubric (NOTE: The rubric will download on to your computer). When you click on this link, the file will download to your device as a Word document. This version of the CAP Rubric is the same you’ll find in the online CAP Portal.
The CAP Rubric includes the 7 CAP Elements:
- Subject Matter Knowledge
- Well-Structured Units and Lessons
- Adjustments to Practice
- Safe Learning Environment
- Meeting Diverse Needs
- High Expectations
- Reflective Practice
For each CAP Element, notice that there are three “dimensions”: Quality, Scope and Consistency. Look at the sample below to see how these three dimensions are presented on the rubric.
Note the blue and orange shading with asterisks on the rubric sample above. By the end of the practicum experience, teacher candidates must attain Proficient for Quality and Needs Improvement> for Scope and Consistency for each CAP Element. See the CAP Guidelines for details about each of these dimensions. You can access the CAP Guidelines above.
Professional Standards for Teachers (PSTs) (2015)
Your teacher candidates accredited education program must ensure that the following professional standards for teachers (PSTs) are met by each candidate. The PSTs align with the MA Educator Evaluation Framework . Click here to access the 2015 Guidelines to the Professional Standards for Teachers (PSTs) Word document. Note that clicking the link will download the document so look in your downloads on your device. The 8 CAP Elements come from these PSTs.
MA Educator Evaluation Framework (Ed Eval)
MA Ed Eval is at the root of the PSTs and the CAP. Click here to access the MA Ed Eval Website with links to many Ed Eval Resources .