ProCAD: Looking at a Fuller Picture of the Teacher Candidate

Abstract

Definitions of effective teaching focus on three primary areas: performances, essential knowledge, and critical dispositions. While no one measure provides a complete picture of teacher effectiveness, empirical inquiry into critical dispositions lags behind what is known about essential knowledge and performances. We found this underdevelopment true in our own educator preparation program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, which led to the development, testing, and implementation of the Professional Competencies, Attitudes, and Dispositions (ProCAD) assessment. In this article, we introduce the ProCAD assessment, describing each piece of the ProCAD framework and its alignment with InTASC critical disposition substandards. We present findings from the analysis of ProCAD data and close with implications for better understanding effective teaching and future research.