DPAS-II for Teachers/Specialists Credentialing Assessment Information

What: The credentialing process, consisting of training and successful completion of a credentialing assessment, was designed to establish qualifications and proficiency of evaluators to utilize DPAS-II. The credentialing assessment is a minimal competency assessment that measures participants’ understanding of the information and practices provided during training and/or needed for implementation. All observers must complete relevant training and pass the credentialing assessment prior to utilizing DPAS-II for evaluative purposes. The credentialing assessment should take no more than three hours and is offered in three different sections (policy, framework, and feedback). Participants may use approved resources, including the DPAS-II Guides for Teachers/Specialists, when taking the assessment. Individuals will have the opportunity to take the assessment multiple times, if needed.

Who: Educators in need of initial credentials to perform teacher and/or specialist evaluations may choose from a schedule of DPAS-II Boot Camp training sessions offered around the state. To become a credentialed observer, candidates must complete in-person training followed by successful completion of an online assessment. Registration for the trainings and assessment are available via PDMS.

Observers needing to renew their credentials may do so by completing a training module and passing an online credentialing assessment. Re-credentialing is required every five years in order to maintain credentialed observer status. Observers can check their credentialing status via DEEDS beginning July 1. Superintendents/charter leaders will receive a list of credentialed observers for their LEAs at least quarterly. Additional information can be provided upon request.

Where: Those in need of an initial credential must attend a three-day Boot Camp offered at training sessions throughout the state. The credentialing assessment is to be registered for and taken online after successful completion of Boot Camp. No travel is required for the assessment.

Those needing to renew credentials can do so online. No traveling is required. However, participation in Boot Camp is permitted if desired.

When: New observers who have completed three days of DPAS-II Boot Camp will need to successfully complete the credentialing assessment in order to be credentialed. Registration for the online credentialing assessment will begin mid-July. Participants may not register for the assessment until they have successfully completed all three days of Boot Camp training.

Observers needing to renew their credentials may register via PDMS for the online credentialing assessment. The training module will be accessed at the same time as the assessment and does not require a separate registration. Participants do not need to complete the training and assessment on the same date. The online module should take no more than three hours to complete, and the assessment should take approximately three hours as well. Registration for the online credentialing assessment will begin mid-July.

How: Once registered for the assessment, login information will be provided. The online assessment consists of three parts – policy, framework, and feedback. Each section must be successfully completed before moving on to the next. The entire assessment does not need to be completed in one sitting. However, once a section of the assessment is opened, the section must be completed. Participants will immediately be notified of assessment status after completing each section of the assessment. Successful completion of each section will earn a passing score.