Next Steps Submitting Data for Validation
Following the initial Data Capture Year, districts with accepted System Applications may submit teacher performance data and proposed designations to Texas Tech University every fall. Texas Tech reviews the data and shares data validation results with TEA in February. TEA then conducts a holistic review and approves or denies district systems and designations. Once approved, TEA processes all submitted designations.
TEA reserves the right to annually reject new teacher designations if data validation results indicate the district’s system is no longer valid or reliable.
Data Submission Instructions
EVAAS Technical Manual
Data Submission FAQ Fall 2024
How to Send the Data Data Submission File Template
Districts submit a single file, called the data submission file, that corresponds with their appraisal rubric: TTESS, Danielson, Marzon, or NIET TAP. Districts utilizing their own teacher observation rubric must request a custom data submission file from Texas Tech University.
The data submission file represents a performance data snapshot for each teacher employed in an eligible assignment the prior school year. This includes teachers who have since resigned, retired, moved assignments, and those who did not qualify for a designation. While they should be included in the submission file, districts may not designate teachers who are no longer employed by the district in a teaching role or did not meet the minimum score of proficient in all observable dimensions.
Once data is submitted and finalized, districts may not adjust their teacher performance data, add or remove teachers, or change teacher designations.
Data Submission File for Fall 2024-T TESS
Data Submission File for Fall 2024-NIET TAP
Data Submission File for Fall 2024- Danielson
Data Submission File for Fall 2024- Marzano
How to Send the Data TIA Data Submission Portal
Districts submit the data submission file via the TIA Data Submission Portal. Data submission files uploaded to the portal will be sent directly to Texas Tech. The portal includes features to check submission files for formatting errors, a tab for district reference files, and links to data submission resources and guidance.
Changes to Designation Determination Process Before Data Submission
TEA recognizes when a district begins creating their local designation system, they must outline a process to determine designation cut points without actual teacher performance data. Some changes are permitted. These allowances provide flexibility in the designation determination process while maintaining fidelity of the captured data.
Allowable Changes:
- Changing to component weighting
- Removing optional local system components, such as attendance or student surveys
- Consolidating eligible teaching assignments with the same student growth measures and weighting into a single category
- Adjusting the local standard at which a teacher is determined for a designation
- Adjusting or establishing a minimum requirement to earn a designation
Not Allowable:
- Removing observation or student growth as weighted components
- Adding or removing a student growth measure
- Removing eligible teaching assignments or categories
- Excluding teacher observation or student growth when determining designations
Following Data Submission Teacher Designation Fees
Once data is submitted, districts must submit a $500 fee per teacher designation and fee form to TEA. For example, a district submitting 12 teachers for a new or higher designation would submit a fee of $6,000.
Districts submit fees based on the number of new or higher designations in the final data submission file. TEA recommends waiting until early November to finalize the fee amount. Designation fees only apply to teachers submitted for a new or higher designation. No fees are required to maintain existing teacher designations.Fees are reimbursed in September via the Foundation School Program settle-up.
Data Submission FAQsData Submission 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.
Once approved districts submit their data in the fall following their data capture year, will they be required to continue submitting data for the next four years?
After the data capture year, districts continue to submit data for validation each year they wish to put forth teachers for new or higher designations.
What data will schools be required to submit for the data validation process?
Districts are required to submit dimension-level observation scores and a student growth rating for all teachers in eligible assignments. Read more about data submission and validation.
Will districts have to submit data every year?
Districts submit data for all teachers in eligible teaching assignments each year that they put forth new teachers for designation.
If a system is not approved, can the district resubmit data the following year?
Systems that fail to pass data validation may resubmit the following year.
Who is eligible to earn a designation through a local designation system?
Teachers employed in eligible teaching assignments may be submitted for designation based on the prior school year’s performance data. Districts may submit teachers for designation if they meet the following criteria:
- Still employed by the designating district in a teaching role
- Meets the district’s performance criteria for designation based on teacher observation and student growth data from the prior school year
- Minimum observation score of Proficient in each observable dimension in the prior school year
TEA will conduct additional eligibility checks prior to awarding designations.
What if a designated teacher moves to a non-teaching role, such as instructional coach, counselor, or administrator?
Designated teachers who move to a Role ID other than 087 will maintain their designation. However they will not generate annual allotment funding if they are not in a 087 teaching role. Teachers who move to a non-teaching position prior to formally earning a designation relinquish eligibility.
What if a designated teacher’s performance level changes within the five-year period? Can their designation level change?
Teacher designations are valid for five years. Within the five-year period, teachers may be put forth for a higher designation if their performance qualifies them, but they cannot be submitted for a lower designation. Some district spending plans may include variability based on continued performance levels.