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Maryland prepares for 'edTPA essentials' as MSDE outlines phase‑in and timeline for licensure scoring
Summary
MSDE staff told the Professional Standards Board that Pearson will release a redeveloped edTPA—called edTPA essentials—in August 2026 and described a multi‑year Maryland phase‑in that preserves credentialing options while allowing programs to pilot the new assessment.
MSDE staff outlined a multi‑year plan to transition Maryland teacher licensure away from the historic edTPA and toward a redeveloped portfolio assessment, the edTPA essentials.
Kelly Meadows, presenting the licensure assessment update, said Pearson Evaluation Services will ‘‘release the edTPA essentials’’ in August 2026 and described a phased approach Maryland will use to avoid disrupting candidates. MSDE’s plan keeps any scoreable entry on the historic edTPA valid for licensure through 08/01/2027 and allows Maryland teacher preparation programs to pilot the new essentials assessment during that period. From 08/01/2027 through September 2028 the state will run a norming year; MSDE staff said any numerical score earned during that year will be treated as passing for licensure purposes. MSDE plans to consult its technical advisory committee and return to the State Board in September 2028 to recommend a numerical passing score for edTPA essentials.
Meadows said the redevelopment aims to add flexibility and to align the assessment with current instructional priorities, listing examples such as the science of reading, universal design for learning and multi‑tiered systems of support. She added that the essentials will permit some tasks to be taken independently and that the vendor intends to maintain a ‘‘rigorous focus’’ on essential pedagogy.
Board members asked whether national scoring and cross‑state comparability would be available in spring 2027 and whether the new instrument would retain similarities to National Board processes. Meadows said MSDE has received documentation from Pearson but has not yet completed a technical review and pledged to invite Pearson to brief the board on the redesign and the standard‑setting process.
Why it matters: Maryland uses portfolio‑based assessments as one pathway to initial teacher licensure. The phased approach described by MSDE is designed to prevent a one‑time barrier for candidates while the redeveloped assessment is piloted and normed.
