How do you talk to a politician about the edTPA? Advocacy through inquiry and social justice around high-stakes assessment

Abstract

Set in the unique context of a high-stakes, no safety-net culture, the edTPA was enacted in Washington State in 2009. This chapter explores advocacy for just assessment practices by following a line of inquiry about the edTPAs use in Teacher Preparation Programs, and its impact in the field with key stakeholders. The results of initial findings were then shared with local educational leaders and legislators, via panel discussion. Initial inquiry results prompted two professors and their respective institutions to a call to action, which culminated in the development of a legislative panel discussion. The panel’s development is described from the selection of panelists, the presentations, results, and takeaways for future action.