| The
California Formative Assessment and Support System for Teachers,
CFASST, is a collaborative formative assessment tool used in the
Riverside Unified School District's BTSA program to assist
teachers. It was developed jointly by the California Department
of Education and the California Commission on Teacher
Credentialing. While participating in the BTSA Induction
program, participating teachers (PTs) and support providers (SPs)
will jointly complete the self-assessment events as a means of
making informed decisions for the PT's professional growth
goals.
CFASST is a self-assessment...not an
evaluation!
BTSA is about on-going learning!! Just as we look at data to
help us decide what next steps to take with our students, we
need to look at data of our teaching to make informed decisions
for our own growth. Notice that CFASST is a formative
assessment: formative because it is developmental and happens
over time. The PT is in charge of self-assessing with CFASST,
asking questions, and making decisions. The SP provides support
and guidance through listening and asking thoughtful reflective
questions. If the PT desires, the SP might also provide sample
lessons, additional information, observations, and demonstration
lessons.
CFASST is confidential!
CFASST is a series of events that provide the structure for
professional conversations about the PT's practice. The forms
provide the structure and space for note-taking, but the real
value of the events comes in the conversations between the PT
and their SP. All of these conversations are entirely
confidential! In fact, the entire SP relationship is
confidential. The BTSA program knows that for new teachers to
be able to try new things and discuss their concerns, a
confidential relationship is a must. For this reason, nothing
about the BTSA program is part of the district evaluation
process. Evaluation is the responsibility of the site
administrator, not BTSA and not the SP.
CFASST is relevant and practical!
Reflection on teaching within the PT's actual teaching
context and with the PT's real students is the central component
of the PT/SP conversations. CFASST is grounded in the belief
that for growth to occur it is necessary for an individual to
reflect. As part of the CFASST events, PTs will use the cycle
of Plan, Teach, Reflect and Apply. The California Standards for
the Teaching Profession (CSTP) will provide a measurement for
the self-assessment work and professional growth planning.
CFASST completion is required!
Completion of CFASST is a requirement for all participants in
the BTSA program. It is also one of the requirements for those
candidates seeking to be recommended for the 2042 Professional
Clear teaching credential. |
CFASST Events
