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…

Teacher evaluation programs are discussed including teachers' fears about the uses of evaluation, abuses of such programs, the uses of subjective vs objective competency criteria, and the relationship of evaluation to current demands for accountability. (JMF)

The considerable gap between educational policy regarding discipline techniques and the reality of the classroom is explored. (LH)

The concepts of teacher warranties and teacher productivity could revolutionize teaching and teacher preparation. The subtleties and complexities of these concepts are explored, and their potential impact on teacher education is discussed. (Author/MT)

The concept of teacher warranties is discussed using student performance data from three third-grade classrooms. The complexities of fostering learning across students and across subject areas are illustrated. How teacher productivity can be measured and the impact on teacher education institutions are addressed. (MT)

Teacher education will probably continue to receive specific attention in the competency testing area. Professional educators need to apply the best knowledge and practice available if testing is to become a valuable and valid part of the teacher certification process. (CJB)

Educational reform developments focusing on academic issues are contrasted with those emphasizing teacher performance. The concept of quality assurance in teacher education is considered, as is using student achievement as an indicator of teacher effectiveness. (Author/MT)

Eight members of the education community (e.g., students, teachers, college faculty, and administrators) respond to a question about the impact of high-stakes testing of teachers and students on teaching and teacher education. Their responses focus on such issues as test bias, at-risk students, specific state responses, and testing of students…

Outlines recent efforts to analyze, document, or enhance the impact of collegiate teacher preparation on teaching, learning, and practice. Includes examples from empirical studies or reviews, national initiatives to make teacher preparation more assessment based and evidence driven, and regional efforts to assess the impact of naturally occurring…

Unless there is a renewed effort by educators to reach a consensus on the meaning of competency in the teaching profession, the promise of the competency based teacher education movement will be as elusive as its terminology. (Authors/CJ)

Two aspects of the teacher testing issue are discussed: (1) reasons for assuming that teachers should be tested; and (2) domains in which testing might occur. The effects of testing on teacher quality and public opinion are discussed. Ways that teacher educators can use their influence to improve teacher quality are suggested. (PP)