Achieving a Distinguished rating on the T-TESS (Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System) rubric is the highest honor, representing a classroom that is completely student-centered, student-led, and highly adaptable.

Think of it this way: 

In a "Proficient" classroom, the teacher is beautifully managing the room. 

In a "Distinguished" classroom, the teacher has built a system where the students are largely managing their own learning, self-monitoring, and critically thinking with minimal teacher intervention.

1. Planning (Domain 1)

To score Distinguished here, your lesson plans cannot be one-size-fits-all.

• .1 Standards and Alignment: Designing clear, well-organized, and sequential lessons that align with state standards.

• 1.2 Data and Assessment: Using formal and informal assessments to monitor progress and inform instruction.

• 1.3 Knowledge of Students: Connecting lessons to students' backgrounds, prior knowledge, and needs.

• 1.4 Activities: Ensuring engaging, rigorous activities that promote higher-order thinking. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Goal:  Plan how your classroom environment, including lesson plans, are consistently reflective of student-centered and student-led learning activities.