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

Click here for an overview of the T-TESS Evaluation Process.

Timelines and Guidelines

KickUp Appraisal System

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.

For more information about the Teacher Incentive Allotment, please visit www.TIATexas.org.

Link to Current e3 System: https://apps.battelleforkids.org/LubbockISD/Account/Login