The Need for Instructional Sensitivity and Construct Clarity in PACT: A Commentary on “Examining the Internal Structure Evidence for the Performance Assessment for California Teachers”

Abstract

This commentary on the article titled “Examining the Internal Structure Evidence for the Performance Assessment for California Teachers: A Validation Study of the Elementary Literacy Teaching Event for Tier 1 Teacher Licensure” provides an overview of Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT), its relationship to edTPA and the construct (domains) measured, a summary of the major findings of the article commented on, a discussion of PACT validity issues and rubrics, and the need for instructionally sensitive and formative assessments. It concludes with recommendations to the State of California that include attention to construct validity, improved rubrics, formative use of the data, and attention to utility as well as validity and reliability.