INTASC’s Test of Teaching Knowledge (TTK) is a teacher licensing test, developed with funds from 15 INTASC states, to assess a candidate’s ability to meet the INTASC model core standards considered essential for competent teaching. The test assesses a beginning teacher's professional knowledge in areas such as theories of teaching and learning, cognitive, social and physical development, diagnostic and evaluative assessments, language acquisition, the role of student background in the learning process, and other foundational knowledge and skills essential to the profession of teaching.
Assessing Beginning Teacher Performance
INTASC states recommended a candidate pass at least three licensing tests before they are issued a permanent license, as opposed to an initial or provisional license. These three tests include
a) a test of content knowledge (math, science, etc.)
b) a test of teaching knowledge (pedagogy, etc.)
c) an assessment of actual teaching
The first two tests on content and teaching knowledge are to be used by the state at the end of formal preparation, as the gateway to receiving a provisional license covering the first few years of teaching. (The number of years varies state by state.) The third test, namely a portfolio, is to be used at the end of the first or second year of teaching, and will be the final evidence to issue an ongoing or permanent license.
Current Status of TTK Development
This project is still a work-in-progress. INTASC currently has two secure forms of the test that have undergone field-testing, with all the appropriate statistical analyses around validity and reliability. Plans are underway to continue item development, and to administer the test for states who intend to use it.
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