The teacher work sample: Implementing standards‐based performance assessment

Over the past four years, the University of Northern Iowa has gradually adopted teacher work sample methodology as a way of evaluating student teachers. In this article, the authors will draw on their experience with this implementation process to define and describe the teacher work sample as a standards‐based performance assessment tool that links student teaching performance to P‐12 student achievement; discuss strategies and procedures associated with implementing the teacher work sample; explore the ways teacher education faculty can utilize teacher work sample data to improve both program direction and classroom instruction; and suggest ways the teacher work sample could be used for facilitating and assessing the professional development of practicing teachers.