Why Programs Are Choosing EPiC™ Over Other High-Stakes Assessments

When Georgia dropped the edTPA requirement, many Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) were left asking: What comes next? Programs needed a valid, reliable, and affordable tool that measures candidate readiness without adding unnecessary stress or cost. That’s where the EPiC™ Key Assessment comes in.

Designed by Educators, for Educators

Unlike national tests that feel disconnected from classroom realities, EPiC was built in Georgia with input from faculty, program directors, and teachers. Partnering with LoTi Connection, the team conducted extensive validation and reliability studies, ensuring EPiC produces trustworthy results that reflect what’s really happening in classrooms.

Affordable Without Sacrificing Rigor

High-stakes assessments often come with high price tags — both in money and time. EPiC is just $99 per candidate for the entire time they’re in the program. That single cost includes free access for evaluators, mentors, supervisors, and program administrators. Instead of paying for delayed scores, faculty can access candidate evidence in real time, making it easier to coach, support growth, and invest budget dollars where they matter most: in preparing teachers.

Authentic, Evidence-First™ Scoring

EPiC replaces vague rubric scores with Evidence-First™ markers that focus on observable teaching practices. This approach increases reliability, minimizes scorer subjectivity, and provides concrete feedback that programs can trust.

Built for Program Impact

EPiC goes beyond measuring the individual teacher candidate. With unlimited data reporting, programs can track trends across cohorts, identify strengths and gaps, and use results to guide accreditation and program improvement.

A Better Fit for Today’s Classrooms

Ultimately, EPPs are choosing EPiC because it reflects the kind of teaching schools need most: engaging, responsive, and effective. Already in use across Georgia and Indiana, with pilots planned in other states, EPiC is proving to be a sustainable solution that reduces financial and logistical burdens while raising the standard of evidence. Programs that adopt EPiC are gaining more than an assessment; they’re gaining a partner in preparing teachers who are truly classroom-ready.