Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support
System (T-TESS)
Evaluation Systems
T-TESS
T-PESS
Texas Teacher
Evaluation and
Support System
Texas Principal
Evaluation and
Support System
NIET
McREL
Looking Back
PDAS – 1997
Professional Development Appraisal System
Then and Now
Texas Teacher Standards
New!
•149.001 – Purpose: The standards identified in this section are
performance standards to be used to inform the training,
appraisal, and professional development of teachers.
• Six (6) Standards
• Standard 1: Instructional Planning and Delivery
• Standard 2: Knowledge of Students and Student Learning
• Standard 3: Content Knowledge and Expertise
• Standard 4: Learning Environment
• Standard 5: Data-Driven Practice
• Standard 6: Professional Practices and Responsibilities
Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 149. – Effective June 8, 2014.
T-TESS Timelines and Pilot Sites
2014-2015 – 65 Pilot LEAs
2015-2016 – Refinement Year – Approximately 200 LEAs
2016-2017 – Statewide Implementation
Effective Classroom Lessons
As you reflect upon a recent
lesson you observed that was
effective, what occurred during
that lesson that led it to be
effective?
T-TESS Rubric Overview
Planning
• Standards and Alignment
• Data and Assessment
• Knowledge of Students
• Activities
Learning
Environment
Instruction
•
•
•
•
•
Achieving Expectations
Content Knowledge and Expertise
Communication
Differentiation
Monitor and Adjust
• Classroom Environment,
Routines, and Procedures
• Managing Student Behavior
• Classroom Culture
• Professional Demeanor and Ethics
Professional
Practices and
Responsibilities
• Goal Setting
• Professional Development
• School Community Involvement
It’s a Process, not an Event.
• Overview and Introduction
• Public Learners
• T-TESS Experts
T-TESS Overview
Student Growth (Value Added, Student Learning
Objectives, District Assessments, Pre/Post
Assessments)
Observations (both formal and informal)
Requirements and Recommendations
Requirements
Recommendations
One observation
Multiple observations – formal
and informal
45 minute minimum for
observation
Observations should be lesson
length (beginning, middle and end)
No requirements for announced
versus unannounced
At least 1 announced and 1
unannounced observation
Post conference within 10 business Post conference within 48 hours
days (feedback)
in-person
Pre-conference is optional
Pre-conferences should take place
for all announced observations
* Teacher self-reflection ratings are not required but recommended.
T-TESS Rubric
Handout
T-TESS Rubric
Domain
T-TESS Rubric
T-TESS Rubric
Dimension
T-TESS Rubric
T-TESS Rubric
Descriptors
Descriptors
T-TESS Rubric
T-TESS Rubric
Performance
Levels
Evaluation Cycle
Announced
PreConference
Observation
PostConference
Unannounced
Observation
PostConference
Collective Evidence is Essential
• Detailed Collection of Evidence:
Unbiased notes of what occurs during a classroom lesson.
• Capture:
• what the teacher says
• what the teacher does
• what the students say
• what the students do
• Copy wording from visuals used during the lesson.
• Record time segments of lesson.
The collection of detailed evidence is ESSENTIAL for the
observation process to be implemented accurately, fairly, and for
the intended purpose of the process.
When Do You Collect Evidence
Prior to the Lesson
Being Observed
• Pre-conference
• Review of lesson and/or unit
plans as applicable
During the
Lesson
• What the teacher says and does
• What the students say and do
After the
Lesson
• Communication between
classroom observation and postconference
Purpose of the Pre-Conferences
• To provide the teacher with an opportunity to share
his/her thought process in developing the lesson/plan
and provide additional details about the upcoming
observation.
• To clarify expectations for teacher and student
performance.
• To provide the appraiser with information about the
lesson observation and criteria that may not be
directly observable.
Four Key Elements of the
Instructional Post-Conference
Introduction
Reinforcement
Refinement
Greeting
Reinforcement
Area (Dimension)
Refinement Area
(Dimension)
Review
Conference
Process
Self-Analysis and
Follow-Up
Questions
Self-Analysis and
Follow-Up
Questions
Ask a general
impression
question about
the lesson.
Share Evidence for
Reinforcement
Share Evidence for
Refinement
Share
Recommendations
Review Ratings
Share Evidence for
Ratings
T-TESS Appraisal Timeline
Teacher Overviews & Rubric Rollouts
Targeted
Dimension
Rollouts
Tied to
Observations
and Feedback
Develop Teacher
Capacity Over
Time
Self-Assessment , Goal Setting and
Professional Development Plan
Data
• Ongoing review of teacher and student
performance data and the relationship
between these two
Goals
• Ongoing review of
goals and progress
towards the goals
through data
analysis and
professional
development
Growth
• Ongoing review of areas of
reinforcement, refinement
and professional
development which
contributes to teacher growth
Portal Modules
How are portal modules used to
establish a common
understanding about the
dimensions?
Observation Portal
Roles
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Teacher
Teacher Appraiser
School Administrator
Assistant School Administrator
District Viewer
District Administrator
…
Pools
• Teacher Pools
Observation
Observation Evidence Sheet
T-TESS Observation Evidence Sheet
Domain: Instruction
Dimension
Achieving
Expectations
2.1
Content Knowledge
and Expertise
2.2
Communication
2.3
Differentiation
2.4
Monitor and Adjust
2.5
Evidence
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Rating
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Domain: Learning Environment
Dimension
Classroom
Environment,
Routines and
Procedures
3.1
Managing Student
Behavior
3.2
Classroom Culture
3.3
Evidence
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Rating
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Observation Entry – Page 1
Arts
Career and Technology
English/Language Arts/Reading
Exploratory
Foreign Languages
Math
Science
Social Studies
Special Education
Other
Observation Entry – Page 2
Observation Entry – Page 3
Appraiser Calibrations
What processes are pilot districts
using for appraisers to calibrate
observations?
Training Portal: Reports and Data
https://teachfortexas.org
Avoiding the DRIP Concept
DRIP - Data Rich - Information Poor*
Teacher
Grade/Level Department
School
District
*Waterman, 1987
Data Quality: Teacher Effectiveness
Input
Output
Calibration
Reports
Reports
Reports
Reports
Reports
Reports
Reports
T-TESS Thoughts…
 "Great teaching is at the core of every quality education system."
 "Research shows that there is no greater in-school factor than
having an outstanding education in the classroom."
 T-TESS was developed by educators for educators.
 T-TESS is aligned to research-based, best practices for teaching and
learning.
 The T-TESS Rubric aligns directly with the new Texas Teacher
Standards.
 The T-TESS process provides for actionable, timely feedback,
allowing teachers set goals and identify professional development
that will lead to refinement in knowledge and skills.
T-TESS Thoughts…
 The 'Proficient' performance level is representative of a 'Rock
Solid' teacher.
 There will be some necessary culture shifts to establish a new
mind set for the relationship with appraisals and supporting
teachers.
 Everyone in the school community is a public learner.
 The ultimate outcome is improved student achievement.
Training Portal: Appraiser Resources
https://teachfortexas.org
Thanks for Your Participation…!