Beginning with the 2016-17 school year, many districts began using the new state-recommended teacher evaluation system: the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System, or T-TESS.
TCTA has compiled this page with information and articles on T-TESS. Click on the links below to learn more about the program and the process.
TCTA's T-TESS Tools
TCTA's Legal Department is presenting a video series about T-TESS.
PART 1: LESSON PLANS
- In the first installment, Dohn Larson, Director of Legal Services, debunks the myth that T-TESS requires teachers to prepare scripted, multipage lesson plans.
- Click here to watch the video.
- To download a transcript of the video, click here.
- To view the commissioner's rules on T-TESS, click here.
- Teach For Texas also offers many resources on T-TESS.
PART 2: PRE-CONFERENCES
- In the second installment, Dohn Larson, Director of Legal Services, discusses the anatomy of the T-TESS Pre-Conference, explaining why it's needed, when it should take place, what teachers should expect and how to prepare.
- Click here to watch the video.
- To download a transcript of the video, click here.
PART 3: OBSERVATIONS, PART I
- In the third installment, Dohn Larson, Director of Legal Services, starts a four-part look at T-TESS Observations. In Part 1, he presents an overview of observations and explains how T-TESS aims to put focus on teacher growth.
- Click here to watch the video.
- To download a transcript of the video, click here.
PART 4: OBSERVATIONS, PART II
- In the fourth installment, Dohn Larson, Director of Legal Services, continues a four-part look at T-TESS Observations. In Part 2, he discusses who can appraise teachers and how appraisers use the rubric to evaluate teachers.
- Click here to watch the video.
- To download a transcript of the video, click here.
PART 5: OBSERVATIONS, PART III
- In the fifth installment, Dohn Larson, Director of Legal Services, continues a four-part look at T-TESS Observations. In Part 3, he explains how T-TESS appraisers are taught to use scripting to gather evidence and apply it to the rubric to determine a teacher's performance rating.
- Click here to watch the video.
- To download a transcript of the video, click here.
PART 6: OBSERVATIONS, PART IV
- In the sixth installment, Dohn Larson, Director of Legal Services, continues a four-part look at T-TESS Observations. In Part 4, he discusses how teachers can prepare for an observation.
- Click here to watch the video.
- To download a transcript of the video, click here.
Note: This material presented in this video series does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. TCTA provides this for information purposes only. TCTA members with questions about this information may call the TCTA Legal Department at 888-879-8282 to speak with a staff attorney.
TCTA on T-TESS
Below, you'll find links to TCTA-produced materials about T-TESS.
- TCTA sues commissioner over new teacher appraisal rules
- Teachers share experience with T-TESS
- TCTA's Holly Eaton compiled this handout on key points about T-TESS and ESSA and distributed it during the 2016 annual meeting. Click here to watch Eaton's presentation at the 2016 annual meeting and earn CPE credit.
- Check out this schedule for T-TESS appraiser training in summer 2016.
- Frequently Asked Questions about T-TESS
- TCTA submits comments to TEA on appraisal rules change
- Goodbye PDAS, here comes T-TESS
- T-TESS observation rubric
- Every Student Succeeds Act allows more state, local control over schools
- Congress passes, Obama signs ESSA
- TCTA invited to testify on new teacher evaluation system
Other resources
The Teach for Texas website offers many resources, tips and information from TEA about T-TESS, including:
For more, go to TEA's T-TESS webpage.