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Pearson unveils edTPA "essentials": two-task design, fewer handbooks, Maryland pilots this month
Summary
Pearson told the board its redeveloped edTPA — "edTPA essentials" — reduces the assessment from three tasks to two, limits handbooks from 32 to five, standardizes video and rubric expectations, and will go live later this month; Maryland EPPs can begin using it in August with a transition window through August 2027.
Pearson Evaluation Services presented the redesigned edTPA, branded "edTPA essentials," saying the new model reduces candidate burden while preserving measurement quality. Laurie Kroger, Pearson lead in partnership management, said the redesign collapses three tasks into two — instructional decision-making and implementation, and assessment and analysis of student learning — and reduces the number of handbooks from 32 to five.
Kroger described other changes intended to ease implementation: a modular continuity requirement allowing candidates to complete tasks at different points in a semester, standardized video requirements, fewer rubrics (reduced from 15 to 12), and streamlined uploads so candidates can type responses directly into Pearson’s system rather than managing multiple documents. "We go live on the 25th of this month," she said, describing the operational launch and Maryland’s role as an early participating state.
Pearson said Maryland educator-preparation programs (EPPs) can begin using edTPA essentials in August and that the full transition period runs through August 2027; the current edTPA will remain available for registration through August 2027 with final initial submissions and retake windows described by Pearson. The company also described support resources: an implementation guide for EPPs, free publicly available orientation videos for candidates, weekly office hours and right-start online modules to help programs and candidates prepare.
Board members asked for copies of the slide deck and additional technical details; Pearson agreed to share materials with the MSDE contact.
