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Center for Leadership Development » T-TESS

T-TESS

 

Texas has developed a new evaluation system for teachers and principals, The Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) and the Texas Principal Evaluation Support System (T-PESS).

The Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System utilizes many tools that help support teacher instruction and student performance. This new system consists of:

  • an evaluation rubric
  • a goal-setting plan and
  • an embedded student growth measure.

 

T-TESS is intended to promote a growth mindset in educators by providing a structure to self-reflect and receive ongoing, meaningful feedback from educational practitioners.

Provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA):

Standards:  T-TESS is based on the newly adopted Texas Teacher Standards. These standards address six broad areas: Instructional Planning and Delivery, Knowledge of Students and Student Learning, Content Knowledge and Expertise, Learning Environment, Data-Driven Practice, and Practices and Responsibility. These standards helped mold the domains for the rubric used in the new Texas Teacher Evaluation Support System.

Rubric:  The T-TESS rubric consists of four domains: Planning, Instruction, Learning Environment, and Professional Practices and Responsibilities. The rubric is a tool that should motivate discussions about intentional support for teachers and aid teachers in self-reflecting about areas of reinforcement and areas of refinement. The rubric descriptors allow appraisers to collect targeted evidence to support teacher growth and understanding.

Evaluation Cycle:  T-TESS includes three main components: goal-setting and professional development plan, the evaluation cycle, and student growth. These components form together as a cohesive system in order to guide teachers to area's of growth and professional development. When the T-TESS system is utilized with validity, instructional changes and student success outcomes become evident.

Post-Conference:  The post-conference is designed to promote the self-reflection process for the the teacher. This reflection process then provides evidence that helps construct the teacher's future goals. The post-conference is required after formal observations, must be conducted in person, and should be conducted in a timely manner.

T-TESS Teacher Handbook:  The T-TESS Teacher Handbook is a guide that can be utilized by all educators to aid in the implementation of the system and to support ongoing professional growth.

3 Day Training at $725 per participant

For more information contact Dr. Rochelle Cortino at 361-561-8520/ [email protected]