For Districts Local Designation System Application and Approval Process

Application Format and Submission

How it Works Application Format and Submission

Once the local designation system is fully designed and prepared to implement the following school year, districts may submit an application to TEA. 

The System Application allows TEA to assess the district’s readiness for implementing a successful local designation system. TEA reviews and scores applications to ensure systems are aligned with statute and designed to maximize the validity and reliability of the teacher performance data and local designation system. Districts must receive a score of “Full Readiness” in all statutory sections of the application to proceed with implementing their system the following year

TEA updates the System Application annually and posts the application in early November. Districts must submit a System Application by April 15 for the system to take effect the following school year. 

System Application

Application Exemplar Answers

How to Complete the Application

How to Complete the Application

Districts must download and complete the application using Microsoft Excel version 2019 or later. The application contains built-in features and automation that do not function in other programs such as Google Sheets. Districts with multiple collaborators often maintain one official copy of the application and designate a lead to compile responses before submission.

The application is organized by tabs for each component of the local designation system and is a combination of drop-down responses, yes or no questions, and short answers. Directions and a submission link are embedded in the first tab of the application.

Districts must also submit the Attestation Form with a superintendent signature with their application to TEA.

Descriptions of Application Tabs

Application Tab	Tab Description
District Information	Districts must complete this tab first, as it will populate district-specific data and required tabs based on the responses Contact information Rationale for creating a local designation system Texas Tech University data sharing agreement (DSA)
Weighting	Clear summary of the system Organizes eligible teaching assignments into categories Outlines designation criteria and effectiveness data used for each eligible teacher category Business rules for teachers in multiple eligible assignments Component weighting for observation data, student growth, and optional factors, if any
Eligible Teachers and Campuses	Identify which campuses, if not all, are included in the local designation system Identify which courses/service IDs are eligible to earn a designation under the local system
Teacher Observation	District explanation of the appraisal system, certification requirements, and training Calibration practices Data analysis Observation protocols, including walkthroughs and annual appraisal requirements
Student Growth Measures	Ensure each growth measure aligns to the content of the course Ensure validity of administration, training, security, and scoring Verify how each growth measure is used to set expected growth targets and calculate a student growth rating for each eligible teacher
System Development	Explain process of developing the local teacher designation system Provide examples of stakeholder engagement practices Provide examples of collection and implementation of feedback District communication plan
Spending	Outline the spending plan for allotment funds Ensure compliance with 90/10 rule Explain stakeholder engagement regarding the spending plan Ensure planning for teacher movement
District Support	Describe systems and process for system support Ensure the district is prepared for successful data capture and submission Explain plans for retention and recruitment, supporting designated teachers, and strategic staffing of designated teachers

Application Scoring and Resubmissions

Getting Accepted Application Scoring and Resubmissions

Following submission, TEA scores applications and notifies districts if their application was accepted. Districts must meet “Full Readiness” in all statutory categories before the application is accepted. TEA provides office hours and a one-time resubmission opportunity for districts not meeting full readiness after initial scoring. By August, districts receive a formal notification if their application was accepted or denied. If a district’s System Application is denied, the district may reapply the following spring.

System Application FAQs

System Application FAQs

What is the time frame to apply, and what happens after a district’s local designation system is submitted for review?

Districts must submit a completed application by April to begin implementing their accepted system and gathering teacher performance data the following school year. TEA reviews system applications and notifies districts by late July whether the application was accepted.