Orientation
Campus leaders conduct orientation session(s) for teachers who are new to T-TESS to familiarize them with the T-TESS process, its components, key staff roles and responsibilities, information and resources available during implementation, where to seek assistance, and how to develop and implement goals and professional development plans. The orientation serves as an initial overview that is supported with ongoing learning opportunities, thereafter.
For a brief overview of the entire evaluation process, check out this year at a glance timeline.
Goal-Setting
Aligned with the notion of continuous improvement, the goal-setting and professional development processes are interwoven throughout the year to positively impact performance. Teachers authentically engage in reflection about current professional practices using teacher and student data, identify professional growth goals, establish and implement a professional development plan to attain those goals, and track progress toward the goals over the course of the year.
Pre-Conference
The overall purpose of the pre-conference is for the appraiser and teacher to mutually discuss the upcoming lesson observation with a focus on the interrelationships between planning, instruction, the learning environment and student outcomes.
Documents and Training Module
Observations
As tied to the Texas Teacher Standards for Professional Practice, the T-TESS multi-dimensional observation tool is used in conjunction with collected evidence to evaluate and inform each teacher’s performance and professional needs as an ongoing system of continuous improvement to ultimately impact student performance.
Ideally, multiple formal and informal observations are used throughout the year to provide teachers with actionable, timely feedback, allowing teachers to make efficient and contextual professional development choices that lead to refinement in their practices.
Post-Conference
The overall purpose of the post-conference is to provide teachers opportunities to self-reflect on the execution of their lessons with guidance and support from the administrators or teacher leaders who conducted the evaluation, including the impact on student performance. Results are used to inform and guide the teacher’s future practices and growth.
Documents and Training Module
End-of-Year Conference
The End-of-Year (EOY) Conference provides an opportunity for the appraiser and the teacher to summarize the observations for Domains 1-3, formalize the evidence and score for Domain 4, and to discuss next year’s goal(s) and professional development plan.