In 2024, the PST and CAP Guidelines were updated in alignment with revisions to the Standards of Effective Practice. The 2019 CAP Guidelines may be used through the 2024-2025 school year. All resources at the below links align with the 2019 CAP Guidelines. DESE will update these resources during the 2024-2025 school year. See the PST and CAP page for additional information and the updated Guidelines.
The CAP Guidelines were released in June 2016 to all organizations and can be found below. The Guidelines are designed to: 1) outline expectations for the CAP and 2) support Sponsoring Organizations (SOs), Program Supervisors, Supervising Practitioners, and Teacher Candidates as they work together to ensure successful demonstration of the Professional Standards for Teachers (PSTs).
2019 Guidelines for the Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) — Revised August 2019
Release of Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) Guidelines Memo — June 2016
Updated Candidate Assessment of Performance (CAP) Guidelines Memo — August 2019
CAP Rubric — Revised August 2019
The CAP Implementation Handbook presents implementation for each step of the 5-Step Cycle, as well as all required and recommended forms for use by Teacher Candidates, Supervising Practitioners, and Program Supervisors. Providers may place the Handbook in a binder and distribute to participants, or share it electronically to support candidates, Supervising Practitioners and Program Supervisors throughout a candidate's practicum.
The table below includes all required and recommended forms and suggested resources for each step of CAP as outlined in the Handbook. All forms in the table below were updated during Summer 2020 to reflect the changes made in the CAP Handbook as of August 2019, including updated rubric language and the additional essential element. Additional updates were made in Summer 2021 to ensure accessibility. If you are in need of an earlier version of the forms, please email EducatorPreparation@mass.gov for assistance.
Required Forms
CAP Form
CAP Observation Form
Recommended Forms
Model Observation Protocol:
Pre-Conference Planning Form
Candidate Self-Reflection Form
Post-Conference Planning Form
Suggested Resources
Guidance: Measuring Candidate Impact on Student Learning
Guidance: Model Observation Protocol
Candidate Self-Assessment Form
Candidate Preliminary Goal-Setting & Plan Development Form
Baseline Assessment Form
Finalized Goal & Implementation Form
Three-way Meeting Checklist #1
CAP Student Feedback Forms
CAP Student Feedback Forms Advisory
Formative Assessment Form
Three-way Meeting Checklist #2
CAP Summative Assessment Form
Three-way Meeting Checklist #3
Post-Cycle: Preliminary Goal-Setting and Development Form
The following form has been modified from the CAP Form and Rubric for Reading Specialist candidates. The purpose of this form is to document observations and meetings for program use.
Modified CAP Form for Reading Specialists
Last Updated: June 27, 2024
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