Tk20 is an Educational Assessment System where students upload coursework to be evaluated against program standards that are set by professional teaching accreditation agencies. In addition, students will create necessary applications and complete internship (field experience) documents within Tk20.

Yes, Tk20 is required for anyone seeking initial teacher certification.

Throughout your time in the Department of Education, you will use Tk20 to upload assessments, submit applications, and finally create and submit a portfolio highlighting your work in addition to completing your edTPA submission. Tk20 will also be used by your mentor teacher and supervisor to evaluate your progress during your student teaching internship.

Your program will instruct you to purchase your account at the point indicated below. :

• Early Childhood: EDUC 439/679
• Elementary: EDUC 412/602
• Secondary: EDUC 412/602
• TESOL: When applying for the P-12 ESOL certification internship

Students are responsible for purchasing the Tk20 account. The base cost as of August 2022 is $120 not including taxes. Students are required to pay taxes per new State/Federal regulations.

Please note that pricing is subject to change, please contact your Education program advisor for the most recent cost. 

In order to purchase your account, please make sure you have your UMBC Campus ID and credit card on hand.

• You will purchase your account using the following link:  https://umbc.tk20.com/campustoolshighered/start.do
• Click on the second blue link that reads “Click here to purchase your student account” under the green button.

• Please allow ~24 – 72 hours for your account to be activated and credentials emailed to you. Please check your spam folder in case your credentials end up there. The email may be from Watermark, which is the parent company of Tk20.

Undergraduate students wishing to enter an Education program will need to complete an official admission application into their program of choice through their paid Tk20 account.

You will be instructed as to when to complete the application in either EDUC 412  for Elementary/ Secondary or EDUC 439 for Early Childhood Education.

Graduate students do not need to complete a program application within Tk20 as their application to the Graduate School is the official application.

Because Education is not a major for undergraduates with the exception of the STEM Middle Grades degree,, a Tk20 application is used as the formal admission point into Education programs.

Yes, the internship application is used to ensure that you have met all prerequisites for the internship and collect important information for making the best possible placement for your needs. This application is done the semester before you begin the internship.