Teacher Performance Data Teacher Observation
Districts must determine designation criteria for each eligible teaching assignment or group of assignments. Designation criteria refers to the teacher performance data and mathematical process a district uses to determine which teachers qualify for each level of designation.
One component of teacher performance data includes observation data based on one or more observations of a teacher instructing students for a minimum of 45 minutes or multiple observations that aggregate to at least 45 minutes. All teachers in eligible teaching assignments must receive a complete observation and full appraisal during the Data Capture Year. Teachers with incomplete observation data or without a summative appraisal are not eligible to earn a designation.
While districts can utilize existing teacher evaluation plans to meet this criteria, they must use an approved appraisal rubric and implement observation protocols to ensure valid and reliable data. The T-TESS appraisal system incorporates all the requirements needed for appraiser certification, recertification, and calibration.
Additional pre-approved rubrics include Danielson, Marzano, or NIET TAP. Districts implementing these pre-approved rubrics may use the corresponding T-TESS crosswalk below.
Districts using a locally developed rubric must ensure that it aligns to TEC §21.351 or §21.352 prior to developing a local designation system or submitting a system application.
District designation systems must provide fair and consistent evaluations to ensure highly effective teachers have equitable access to a designation. Calibration protocols are procedures used to increase alignment between appraisers and between campuses throughout the year. When used strategically, they can help increase scoring accuracy by providing appraisers opportunities to practice collecting defensible evidence for ratings. They also help appraisers develop a deeper understanding of what effective instruction looks like across a variety of contexts and ensure that each appraiser in the district is aligned in how they are evaluating teachers. The System Application requires districts to narrate how they will adhere to and implement each protocol.
For Data Validation
Districts report dimension-level appraisal data from all observable domains (Domains 2 and 3 for T-TESS, or the equivalent for a third party or district-created rubric).
Danielson T-TESS Crosswalk
Marzano T-TESS Crosswalk
NIET TAP T-TESS Crosswalk
Sample District Calibration Calendar
Sample Observation Calibration Plan
Teacher Observation Calibration Protocols
Teacher Observation Performance Standards
Teacher Observation Component
Teacher Calibration Protocols
Rubric Alignment Protocol
Teacher Observation FAQs
Many districts allow eligible teachers to waive an annual appraisal. Will an annual appraisal be required for teachers to earn a designation?
Districts must have observation and student data from the data capture year for all teachers in the district’s system. After receiving full system approval, districts may have teachers on appraisal waivers, but those teachers may not be submitted for proposed designations. An annual appraisal is required for teachers to earn a designation. TEA cautions districts to use waivers sparingly following system approval, as this may impact future data validation and future proposed designations. Appraisals must comply with §21.351 and §21.352.
