edTPA implications for teacher education policy and practice: Representations of epistemic injustice and slow violence

Abstract

edTPA is a widely used teacher performance assessment. However, studies have raised concerns with its use. We conducted a study of candidates’ and faculty members’ perceptions of edTPA on their learning and performance. Analysis of responses revealed six themes: confusion about the meaning of “ready to teach”; interference with relationship building; narrowed responsive teaching practices; concern for placements’ impact on assessments; mistrust of evaluators’ understanding of their contexts; and increased barriers for marginalized candidates. Findings suggest that edTPA can be interpreted as perpetrating forms of “epistemic injustice” and “slow violence” that impede diversity in the profession. To realize the promise of a more diverse teacher workforce—equity for all students and justice for marginalized communities—teacher educators and policymakers must ensure that the ways in which they prepare and evaluate teachers are increasingly more relational, diverse, equitable, and just.