Teacher Observation Component

Teacher observations are a required component of all district TIA systems. A valid and reliable TIA system needs a strongly calibrated observation system. A sound teacher evaluation system should include a process that seeks to develop habits of continuous improvement and the process must ensure that appraisers and teachers engage in dialogue and collaboration to solicit evidence-based feedback and targeted professional development. 

The Texas Teacher Evaluation & Support System (T-TESS) is the state-adopted teacher appraisal instrument designed to support teachers and as part of the continuous improvement process, teachers consistently hold themselves to a high standard for individual development and performance. 

T-TESS includes three components aimed at capturing the holistic nature of teaching and developing teacher habits of continuous improvement: 

1. goal setting and professional development plan; 
2. pre-conference, walk-through, observation, and post-conference (i.e., evaluation cycle); and
3. student growth

 

T-TESS is used as the teacher observation instrument in PfISD’s TIA system. While teachers will continue to be evaluated on all domains and dimensions of the T-TESS system, the TIA system will evaluate ratings from Domains 2 and 3 of the teacher’s summative evaluation only. These domains are closely correlated with teachers’ behaviors for effective instruction and learning environments. 

To be eligible for a designation, TEA has advised minimum performance standards for teacher observation outcomes, which the PfISD designation system currently follows as a starting place for determining designations. PfISD may increase these minimums at any time to maintain the validity and reliability of the district’s TIA system.

To be eligible for a designation, for T-TESS Summative outcomes, teachers must:

1. earn a minimum rating of 3 (“Proficient” or higher) in each of the eight dimensions measured across Domains 2 and 3
2. AND meet a minimum average of 3.7 across the eight dimension ratings for Domains 2 and 3

 

Specific information on the teacher observation component is available to PfISD teachers in the PfISD TIA Guidebook at this link.