Why EPiC™ is the Future of High-Stakes Teacher Candidate Assessments

The shift from traditional rubric-based assessments to more dynamic, evidence-driven models is gaining momentum. The EPiC™(Evaluating Pedagogy in the Classroom) Key Assessment leads this transformation. By offering a flexible, adaptable performance assessment, EPiC™ is designed to evaluate the pedagogical skills of teacher candidates across a wide range of educational settings—whether in self-contained classrooms, general education classes, or specialty areas like Physical Education and Art. At the core of this innovation is the Evidence-First™ scoring model, which uses concrete evidence to provide actionable, detailed feedback for pre-service teachers. As teacher preparation programs move toward more effective, evidence-based assessments, EPiC sets the standard for high-stakes educator preparation assessments.

EPiC Elevates Practice Across Classrooms and Content Areas

EPiC is a simple, flexible, supportive performance assessment designed to measure candidates' pedagogical skills. Focusing on key teaching practices and providing clear, evidence-based feedback ensures that teacher candidates are evaluated in a way that supports their professional growth. The adaptability of EPiC allows it to meet the unique needs of various classroom environments, making it an effective tool for teachers across diverse educational settings. For example, the video Dancing to a Different Beat: Evaluating Art Education with EPiC highlights a dance instructor's experience with EPiC and showcases how the assessment can be applied to specialty areas like dance and the arts.

EPiC’s Scoring Model Redefines Feedback and Teacher Growth

At the heart of EPiC’s transformative impact is its Evidence-First scoring model, which addresses the limitations of traditional rubric-based scoring by moving beyond generalized criteria. Traditional rubrics often fail to provide the detailed, practical feedback essential for effective coaching. In contrast, the Evidence-First system offers concrete, evidence-based insights directly tied to key teaching practices. The criteria are weighted, allowing specific feedback to be provided on both strengths and weaknesses simultaneously. This approach enhances the quality of coaching and feedback for teacher candidates and contributes to the ongoing conversation about measuring and improving teacher effectiveness.

EPiC Puts EPPs in Control of Continuous Improvement

Unlike other high-stakes assessments, EPiC puts power directly in the hands of Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs). With real-time access to performance data, EPPs can pinpoint exactly where their programs need improvement, allowing for targeted adjustments and refinements. By providing a more transparent, more actionable picture of teacher candidate readiness, EPiC helps drive continuous improvement in teacher preparation across the nation.

As educational systems across the country, from teacher preparation programs to K-12 schools, move away from traditional rubric-based scoring, EPiC is at the forefront of this shift. By redefining how teacher assessments are conducted, EPiC is making a significant impact in states like Georgia and Indiana. With its focus on evidence-based feedback and adaptability, EPiC sets a new standard for reliability, flexibility, and meaningful impact on the coaching and feedback process.