Teacher Candidiate Benchmarks

A core document of the university’s education department is its benchmarks.  This document was initially developed in 2001 with a group of teacher candidates, mentors and the PDS Coordinator.  It has gone through several revisions with multiple stakeholders.  The document provides a clear set of benchmarks in five major areas: a). planning, instruction and assessment; b). communication; c). management; d). professionalism and leadership; and e). reflection and analysis.  A set of benchmarks was developed to reflect criteria for beginning internship candidates, transitional candidates, and at-standard candidates.  The goal is that by the end of the extensive internship experience, candidates would achieve the at-standard benchmarks.  Candidates who are lagging behind at any benchmark may require intervention which can be provided by the mentor, supervisor and PDS Coordinator.  Based on the recommendation of mentors and supervisors, this document has become the foundation for the Gateway 3 and Gateway 4 assessments, replacing the former Interstate New Teacher Assessment Support Consortium (INTASC) assessment.  Aligned to all of the INTASC principles and indicators as well as SPA standards, these benchmarks are used as a summative measurement at the end of Internship I (Gateway 3) and Internship II (Gateway 4).

To access each Benchmark, click the appropriate link:

Beginning Benchmarks

Transitional Benchmarks

Program Completer Benchmarks