Requirements and Considerations for Candidates Completing edTPA in a Virtual Learning Environment
The edTPA program has a "Virtual Learning Environment" option available to teacher candidates who prepare and provide instruction to students in virtual environments. The teacher candidate must consult with their program faculty/instructor and EC–12 partners to determine if the virtual learning environment is an appropriate and viable option for both candidates and EC–12 students. In addition, programs, in partnership with their teacher candidates, must determine if the virtual learning environment will allow teacher candidates to capture acceptable forms of authentic practice and relevant evidence to be scored according to the edTPA rubrics.
To help make this determination, teacher candidates should review the Evidence Requirements and Considerations in a Virtual Learning Environment for Texas’ edTPA Pilot 
, which also includes subject-specific considerations for various handbooks (e.g., early childhood, physical education, special education). The guidance outlines the flexibility in the technical formats allowed and explains how teacher candidates may submit equivalent forms of evidence to meet all edTPA handbook instructions and requirements. Teacher candidates should also review Frequently Asked Questions: Completing edTPA in a Virtual Learning Environment that address topics such as Completing edTPA in a Modified Schedule, Maintaining Confidentiality and Security in a Virtual Learning Environment, and Supporting Students to Use Online Tools and Platforms.
Decision Chart: Task 2 Evidence in a Virtual Learning Environment
The chart below includes scenarios that identify possible evidence teacher candidates may be able to collect for Task 2: Instruction in the VLE. Teacher candidates should use this chart, in conjunction with Evidence Requirements and Considerations in a Virtual Learning Environment for Texas’ edTPA Pilot , to determine their next steps to complete and submit their edTPA portfolio in a virtual learning environment.
Teacher candidate completing edTPA in a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
- Scenario 1
- The teacher candidate is able to deliver and collect Task 2 video evidence of synchronous instruction.
The Task 2 evidence DOES meet all technical requirements in the handbook guidelines and Submission Requirements.
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- Both the teacher candidate and minimum number of students can be seen and heard. NOTE: If students' faces cannot be recorded, avatars, emojis, and/or names are acceptable alternatives for most student learning outcomes.
Decision: Request for alternative arrangement is not required.
- NEXT STEPS
- Teacher candidate reviews the Guidance for edTPA in an Alternative Arrangement: Virtual Learning Environment and follows the handbook guidelines and Submission Requirements when submitting their portfolio.
- During edTPA registration, the teacher candidate will indicate if the learning environment is traditional, virtual, or blended.
- At submission the teacher candidate will attest that they have correctly identified the setting in which their Task 2 video evidence was collected.
- Scenario 2
- The teacher candidate can deliver synchronous instruction but cannot capture the evidence as a video.
The Task 2 evidence DOES NOT meet the technical requirements specified in the handbook guidelines and Submission Requirements.
- An alternative way of capturing Task 2 evidence must be used.
Instead of a video recording, candidates approved for an alternative to submitting video evidence should submit one of the two types of evidence, as follows:
- Audio recording
- Written transcript
Decision: Request for alternative to video evidence is required.
- NEXT STEPS
- Teacher candidate reviews handbook guidelines and instructions for candidates submitting alternative to video evidence when submitting their portfolio.
- The teacher candidate and program must submit required forms prior to the submission of the portfolio.
- Upon approval, the teacher candidate receives detailed instructions of the request.
- Scenario 3
- The teacher candidate can only deliver asynchronous instruction.
The Task 2 evidence DOES NOT meet the technical requirements specified in the handbook guidelines and Submission Requirements.
- edTPA Task 2 requires evidence of synchronous instruction.
Decision: The teacher candidate does not have the evidence needed to submit an edTPA portfolio.
- NEXT STEPS
Teacher candidate does not submit a portfolio. The teacher candidate should contact their program for guidance on meeting state licensure requirements.
Alternative Evidence to Video Requirements and Guidance
It is important that teacher candidates submit edTPA materials that meet the technical specifications within the edTPA Submission Requirements and the applicable edTPA handbook. If ALL requirements (e.g., synchronous instruction for Task 2, Part A: Video) are able to be met, it is not necessary for teacher candidates to submit a request for an alternative arrangement.
However, teacher candidates teaching in a virtual learning environment may encounter situations that prohibit the ability to capture edTPA Task 2 materials that meet the technical specifications for artifacts as outlined within the edTPA Submission Requirements. In this case, teacher candidates should review how to Request an Alternative to Video Evidence and work with their educator preparation program to determine if the virtual learning environment will allow the teacher candidate to capture alternative evidence to be scored according to the edTPA rubrics.
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