T-TESS

Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System

Christine Rhoades

EDAD 5323
 BACKGROUND OF T-TESS

PDAS was used by 86% of LEAs in Texas since 1997

Number one in-school factor of school achievement is effectiveness of
teacher
Since 2009, teacher preparations and evaluations that include meaningful
feedback have made significant strides in student achievement
TEA revisited the states teacher evaluation instrument after
acknowledging teachers play vital role in student achievement
In 2011 Teacher Effectiveness Workgroup created
Spring 2014, teacher steering committee developed an evaluation system
tied to teaching standards
 WHAT IS T-TESS

The Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) is a system

designed by educators to support teachers in their professional growth. It is
designed to improve planning, instruction, the learning environment, and
professional practices and responsibilities so that the refinement of each
teachers craft leads to improved student performance.

T-TESS includes three components:

Goal-setting and professional development plan
The evaluation cycle (including: pre-conference, observation, post-
conference)
Student growth measure

Texas Education Agency (2016)

 T-TESS KEY FEATURES
Based on newly updated Texas Teacher Standards
Growth-oriented
Not a checklist or compliance-oriented evaluation
Divided into 4 domains which include 16 performance
dimensions
Summative evaluation rating is derived from the rubric
(80% of rating) and student growth (20% of rating)
beginning during the 2017-1018 school year
 T-TESS VS. PDAS
T-TESS PDAS

Makes own PD plan PD planned in advance

Rubric used for scoring appraisal Appraisal scoring objective

Pre- and post-conference required Pre- and post- conference not required

Does not use checklists for scoring Used checklist for scoring

Five performance levels Four performance levels

No TINA if teacher needs improvement TINA if teacher needs improvement

Teacher has input in end-of-year rating Assigned the end-of-year-rating

Includes student growth Does not include student growth

Domains loop between students and Domains between student and teacher are
teachers separate
GOAL SETTING AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
KEY COMPONENTS OF T-TESS

T-TESS Guidebook, 2016

T-TESS OBSERVATION SHEET

T-TESS Guidebook, 2016

 Rubri
c

T-TESS Guidebook,
 STUDENT GROWTH
MEASUREMENT
Student learning objectives
District pre- and post-tests
Portfolios
State assessment data
TELPAS results
Classroom assessments, formal and informal
Teacher observations
Running records
IEPs
Student work, journaling, etc.
Lesson study and delivery processes
Progress checks
ESTAR
iStation
Report Card
 REFERENCES

Texas Education Agency. (2014, June 30). 19 TAC Chapter 149, Subchapter AA. Retrieved April 09, 2016,
from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter149/ch149aa.html

Texas Education Agency. (2016). Education Excites. Retrieved April 09, 2016, from https://teachfortexas.org /