The Pre-Cycle activities set the stage for a robust and meaningful 5-Step Cycle. The Teacher Candidate (TC) and Program Supervisor (PS) meet in pre-conference for the first observation, and the PS and Supervising Practitioner (SP) conduct Announced Observation #1. The SP also identifies which assessment will be used as a measure of student learning for the candidate.
In CAP Pre-Cycle, there are three categories of resources from DESE
- Required Forms
- Recommended Forms
- Suggested Resources
Required Forms
Pre-Cycle has two required forms:
- CAP Form
This is the first of four times you’ll fill out parts of the CAP Form. In Pre-Cycle, the PS, SP and TC complete the first page of the CAP form.
- CAP Observation Form
The PS and SP can use this paper form to capture notes from the Announced Observation #1 and prepare feedback for the TC. This observation evidence must also be entered into the online CAP Portal*.
*We encourage everyone to keep a separate copy (digital or paper) of observation notes and feedback to the TC on the off chance that the data is not saved in the CAP Online Portal for reasons such as loss of Internet connection while completing the online form.
Here’s how to find the Required Forms. Go to the CAP Guidelines web page and scroll down to the table. Find Required Forms for Pre-Cycle:
Recommended Forms:
There are three recommended forms for Pre-Cycle:
- Pre-Conference Planning Form>
This form offers guidance to the PS (and SP, optional) for conducting the pre-conference meeting for Announced Observation #1. This observation is focused on the following two CAP Elements: 1.A.3 (Well-Structured Units and Lessons) and 2.E.1 (High Expectations).
- Candidate Self-Reflection Form
This form is a paper copy of the online form the TC will complete in the online CAP Portal. The TC should complete the Self-Assessment based on prior experiences in pre-practicum and coursework to assess current skill set.
- Post-Conference Planning Form
This form will help you organize your feedback to the TC after Announced Observation #1. This form helps you to be sure your conclusions and suggestions are rooted in evidence you collected from the observation, review of the written lesson plan/resources, and discussions prior to Announced Observation #1.
Suggested Resources:
DESE suggests the following two resources to support your work in Pre-Cycle:
- Guidance: Measuring Candidate Impact on Student Learning
This resource will help the SP to identify the “Measure of Student Learning” assessment.
- Guidance: Model Observation Protocol>
This resource helps the PS and SP prepare for conducting observations throughout the semester. See also the Free CAP Trainings resources to support the PS and SP calibration process and the “What To Look For” page on this site.
Here’s how to find the Suggested Resources. Go to the > and scroll down to the table. Find Suggested Resources for Pre-Cycle: