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Up to the Task?: A Policy Analysis of the Massachusetts EDTPA Pilot and Field Test

Thesis advisor: Marilyn Cochran-Smith / The Massachusetts edTPA Pilot and Field Test (2010-2013) was launched by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to evaluate the possible adoption of edTPA within that state. Guided by Cochran-Smith et al.’s(2013) Politics of Policy Framework, this mixed-methods study examines this policy initiative by analyzing the dominant national media of the era using Stone’s (2002) concept of “metaphors and analogies” as well as interview data from 21 teacher educator participants from the five pilot educator preparation institutions. Findings indicate that multiple dominant frames permeated the national and Massachusetts media narrative, specifically a focus on efficiency, equity, and liberty. These frames were used by both proponents and opponents of edTPA implementation. Moreover, despite many similarities between pilot institutions, implementation of the Massachusetts, edTPA evolved differently in each organization due to multiple institutional-level factors, including access to resources, strength of institutional leadership and organization, level of program coherence, and presence or absence of a strong internal accountability system. Consistent with co-construction theories of policy implementation (Datnow & Park, 2009) this study unpacks the iterative and dynamic nature of policy development and implementation. In doing so, it highlights the real-world complexity of policy implementation at the institutional level and how policy can be interpreted and implemented differently in varying contexts. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:BOSTON/oai:dlib.bc.edu:bc-ir_109023
Date January 2020
CreatorsPower, Christine Lee
PublisherBoston College
Source SetsBoston College
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, thesis
Formatelectronic, application/pdf
RightsCopyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.

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