TPA Prep Courses

Overview

The CalTPA prep courses prepare aspiring teachers to take both Cycles 1 and 2 of the California Teacher Performance Assessment. Courses are 6- 7 weeks long and are conducted fully online. Participants will receive 3 units of contract extension credit for each course.

Note: This course is meant for individuals who are able to register and take the Multiple Subject or Single Subject CalTPA. It is not meant for individuals who are seeking to earn a credential in Special Education or for those who are taking the Administrative Performance Assessment (APA). Also – In order to take the CalTPA you must meet the following requirements:

  • Teach in a TK-12 classroom setting where you have access to students in an in-person or synchronous virtual setting.
  • Be able to video record a lesson (or set of lessons) that can be submitted to Pearson for scoring.
  • The recording(s) must also include the teacher and at least three students – who all must be seen and heard.
  • For cycle 2 specifically – samples of student work must be collected and submitted
  • Be prepared to register and pay for the CalTPA through Pearson. The cost of cycle 1 is $150, and the Cost of Cycle 2 is $150. Information that explains the registration process through Pearson can be found HERE. 

If individuals are not able to meet the above requirements, they will not be able to submit the CalTPA to Pearson for scoring - therefore you should not register for this course. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Soodjidna at dsoodjinda@csustan.edu

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Course Descriptions

EDUC 6790 - Asset Based Lesson Planning: Preparing for the CalTPA- Cycle 1 (3 extension units)

In this workshop, current teachers, interns and student teachers who are working through CalTPA Cycle 1 will advance their knowledge about Cycle 1, and more specifically, the ways in which lesson planning is unpacked. Specific areas of focus include: learning about students’ strengths and learning needs, asset-based instruction, and support strategies that will further the academic development of English learners, students with special needs, and students who have other challenging life experiences. The course will explore these topics with a detailed walk through of all elements in CalTPA Cycle 1 and prepare candidates to submit their assessments for scoring.

Price: $500

EDUC 6791 - Planning for assessments – Preparing for the CalTPA – Cycle 2 (3 extension units)

In this course – current teachers, interns, and student teachers who are working through CalTPA Cycle 2 will advance their knowledge about assessment driven instruction.  Specific areas of focus include: Informal, student-self, and formal assessment planning, rubric development, the development of higher order thinking skills, and the integration of instructional technology. The course will unpack these topics with a detailed walk through of all elements in CalTPA cycle 2 and prepare candidates to submit their cycle for scoring.

Price: $500

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Registration Information

Fall 2025

Fully online – synchronous classes will meet on the dates indicated; asynchronous online class sessions will be at no determined day and time.

EDUC 6790 – Asset Based Lesson Planning – Preparing for the CalTPA Cycle 1

Registration closed

Dates August 23 – October 4, 2025 (Saturdays)
Times 8:30 am – 10:00 am via Zoom
Last date to
register		 September 17, 2025
Last day to drop September 17, 2025
Last date to get
100% refund		 August 30, 2025
Last day to drop or
get partial refund		 September 17, 2025
Tuition fEES $500 for the course. Fees are due at the time of registration

EDUC 6791 – Planning for assessments – Preparing for the CalTPA – Cycle 2

Click here to register

Dates October 18 – December 6, 2025 (Saturdays)
Times 8:30 am – 10:00 am via Zoom
Last date to
register		 November 3, 2025
Last Day to Drop November 3, 2025
Last date to get
100% refund		 October 25, 2025
Last day to drop or
get partial refund		 November 3, 2025
Tuition Fees

$500 for the course. Fees are due at the time of registration

Please Note: Registration takes 3-5 business days.

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About the Instructor

Dr. Daniel Soodjinda

Dr. Daniel Soodjinda is currently the CalTPA faculty coordinator at CSU Stanislaus where he is also an associate professor of Liberal Studies and Teacher Education. He has over 15 years of experience with the CalTPA and has facilitated CalTPA support workshops for teacher candidates, teacher education faculty, university supervisors, and mentor teachers across the state. He also conducts research related to the CalTPA and has and presented his findings at a number of nationwide conferences.