Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS)

T-TESS is a system designed by educators to support teachers in their professional growth.

What is T-TESS?

T-TESS strives to capture the holistic nature of teaching – the idea that a constant feedback loop exists between teachers and students, and gauging the effectiveness of teachers requires a consistent focus on how students respond to their teacher’s instructional practices. For those reasons, each of the observable domains in T-TESS focuses on teachers and students rather than separating them out into separate domains. Ultimately, T-TESS is a process that seeks to develop habits of continuous improvement, and the process itself best leads to that outcome when appraisers and teachers focus on evidence-based feedback and professional development decisions based on that feedback through ongoing dialogue and collaboration.

T-TESS includes three components:

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

Download the Implementation Guidebook

Download the T-TESS Rubric

The T-TESS Rubric

The T-TESS Rubric includes 4 Domains and 16 Dimensions. T-TESS domain and dimension rubrics include specific descriptors of practices and 5 performance levels; Distinguished, Accomplished, Proficient, Developing, and Improvement Needed.

Planning

Standards and Alignment
Data and Assessment
Knowledge of Students
Activities

Instruction

Achieving Expectations
Content Knowledge and Expertise
Communication
Differentiation
Monitor and Adjust

Learning Environment

Classroom Environment, Routines and Procedures
Managing Student Behavior
Classroom Culture

Professional Practices and Responsibilities

Professional Demeanor and Ethics
Goal Setting
Professional Development
School Community Involvement

Teachers

The purpose of the teacher’s role during this process is to share insights and think about his or her pedagogy and professional practices. A goal of the evaluation process is to include the teacher in a systematic way that assists with individualized professional growth and development.

View Teacher Resources »

Appraisers

The appraiser has a vital role in assessing teaching proficiency and ensuring that teachers and administrators derive reliable and meaningful information from the teacher evaluation process. By providing evidence-based feedback, appraisers help teachers and administrators make decisions that support efforts to improve instructional quality and student performance.

View Appraiser Resources »

Districts

Involving district-level leaders in T-TESS implementation ensures that T-TESS becomes a process for education innovation. Successful implementation hinges on collaboration within and among departments and a deepened commitment to growth-centered supervision of instruction and capacity building throughout the organization.

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Educator Preparation Programs

The Texas Education Agency has created 2 training programs for Educator Preparation Programs; the Field Supervisor Observation Training for Teacher Certification Candidates, and the Field Supervisor Coaching Training for Advanced Certification Candidates.

View EPP Resources »