How it Works The Data Validation Process
Once data has been submitted and passed both the Technical and System Alignment Review, Texas Tech University begins the data validation process. TEA then studies the data validation results and conducts a holistic system review before issuing full system and/or designations approval.
The validation process checks for the following:
- The validity and reliability of the district’s teacher performance data
- Observation data for all teachers in eligible assignments
- Student growth data for all teachers in eligible assignments
- The fairness and accuracy of the district’s proposed designation decisions, including:
- Alignment with TIA performance standards
- Alignment with statewide value-added data
- Alignment with campus performance data
- Consistency across campuses and eligible teaching categories
If approved, TEA then processes the district’s designations. If a district system is not approved, the district may use feedback from the data validation process to make improvements to their system before reattempting data validation in subsequent years.
Data Validation Checks and ScoringDetermining Results Data Validation Checks and Scoring
Texas Tech provides TEA with data validation results based on the scoring of nine different checks across five domains as well as two unscored supplemental checks. Texas Tech provides each district with a report of the scored results by late February.
| Domain A: Check #1 | Correlation between teacher observation ratings and student performance ratings |
| Domain B: Checks #2-3 | Confirm relation between district designations and statewide Value-Added-Model designations |
| Domain C: Checks #4-7 | Degree of reliability for teacher observation and student growth judgements |
| Domain D: Checks #8-9 | Comparison of district designation percentages to statewide performance standards |
| Domain E: Supplemental Checks #10-13 | Supplemental system checks (not scored) |
Scores are established by dividing the points earned by the total possible points to create a percentage score.
Statewide Performance StandardsChecking Alignment Statewide Performance Standards
During the data validation process, Texas Tech University reviews how closely a district’s system aligns their designations to the statewide performance standards for both student growth measures and teacher observations. Teachers in each designation category generally exceed minimum averages,however, in determining designations, there are some instances when scores may be lower than statewide performance standards. Teachers must have a minimum score of Proficient in all observable dimensions to be eligible for a new or higher designation.
Ongoing Data ValidationFor Fully Approved Districts Ongoing Data Validation
Fully approved districts may submit new or higher designations annually. However, they must continue to provide evidence that the designation system continues to be valid and reliable. For districts with an already approved system, TEA reviews data validation results and approves the district to issue new or higher designations annually. If the data validation indicates the system is no longer valid and reliable, new designations are not processed, and the district may submit data again the following year.
TEA approves district designation systems. TEA does not approve or reject individual teacher designations.
When to Expect ResultsThe Timeline When to Expect Results
Districts receive formal notification of approval or denial by February. TEA shares data validation reports and provides technical assistance for system improvement based on data validation results.
What Happens When a System is ApprovedWhat Happens When a System is Approved
Once a district’s system is approved, their teacher designations are processed and formally awarded that spring. TEA processes new and higher designations annually in April and verifies teacher eligibility using data from the TSDS Class Roster Winter Submission. TEA provides annual training to districts employing designated teachers to ensure they are properly reported in the Class Roster Winter Submission.
Teachers who meet the eligibility requirements are awarded the designation retroactively to the beginning of the current school year. District-issued designations are valid for five school years.
What Happens When a System is Not ApprovedWhat Happens When a System is Not Approved
If a district’s system is not approved, the System Application remains in accepted status. The district may resubmit data the following year or make adjustments to their system implementation before submitting data. If a district was approved to issue designations in prior years, those approved designations are still valid.
Data Validation and System Approval FAQsData Validation and System Approval FAQs
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.
Are designations attached to a particular grade level or subject area?
Unlike certificates, designations are general. The designation is placed on the teacher’s SBEC certificate and does not specify a certification area, subject, or grade level. A teacher may change teaching assignments and will still generate allotment funding. The same applies to National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs).
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.
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.