T-TESS
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
Training Materials
Timelines and Guidelines
KickUp Appraisal System
T-TESS Student Growth Component
The Student Growth Component (SGC) counts for 1/17 of the T-TESS evaluation. Below are training materials and resources.
Student Growth Component Overview
Student Growth Component Examples
SGC Student Tracker (make a copy and save to your Google Drive)
T-TESS Appraisal Waiver Form
As permitted by state law Education Code 21.203, 352(c) and within the criteria established by Board policy DNA(LOCAL), teachers may be appraised on a less-than-annual basis. In order to qualify for a waiver they must meet the guidelines and criteria established in the board approved Appraisal Procedures found above and agree to the following:
o The teacher understands he/she will be appraised at least once every three years in accordance with Board policy.
o The teacher agrees in writing not to be evaluated with the T-TESS appraisal process for the current school year only.
o The teacher understands during any school year in which he/she is not scheduled for an appraisal under the Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS), either their principal or he/she may require an appraisal be conducted by providing written notice to the other party.
o The teacher agrees the principal/appraiser will monitor the teacher’s performance through walk-through observations, conferences, memoranda and that the agreement to forego a complete T-TESS appraisal in no way diminishes the expectation of acceptable work performance from the teacher.
Teachers who wish to be on a waiver must receive approval from their campus administrator. This will take place during the beginning of the year Goals Conference in KickUp.
PLEASE NOTE: IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE TEACHER INCENTIVE ALLOTMENT (TIA) , TEACHERS MUST NOT BE ON A WAIVER AND MUST RECEIVE A FULL APPRAISAL.
Teacher Incentive Allotment
House Bill 3 (HB 3), passed by the 86th Texas Legislature in June of 2019, established an optional Teacher Incentive Allotment with a stated goal of a six-figure salary for teachers who prioritize teaching in high needs areas and rural district campuses.