T-TESS Tidbits
Beginning of the Year - Goal Setting & PD Plan
Goal Setting
A training video has been provided by the Teach for Texas website (see below). You are welcome to review the segments of the video that you have initial questions about.
STEP 1 (now through September 27)
Teacher Self-Assessment (Prior to the Goal Setting Conference)
The purpose of self assessment is to review teacher and student data, identify areas for professional growth, and promote a school culture of professional learners. You will need to:
- Independently and perhaps collectively review data and reflect on professional practices, including reviewing the domains, dimensions, and descriptors of the T-TESS rubric.
- Formulate targeted goals on the Goal-Setting and Professional Development Plan template to include Goals, Actions, Targeted Completion Date, and Evidence of Goal Attainment.
- Schedule an in-person Goal Setting & Professional Development (GSPD) Conference with your appraiser within the first 6 weeks of school.
STEP 2 (now through September 27)
Goal-Setting Professional Development Plan Conference
- Discuss the vision for professional growth with the appraiser in the GSPD Conference, including a professional development plan if needed for how the goals will be met over the course of the year.
- Specify the types of support needed to meet the goals.
- Identify milestones that will demonstrate progress towards the goals is occurring.
- Specify the evidence that will support goal attainment.
STEP 3 (throughout the school year)
Professional Development Plan Implementation
- Regularly monitor your progress toward goals.
- Collect evidence and data which links to the goal(s) and T-TESS Rubric domains, dimensions, and descriptors.
- Discuss progress toward the goals with the appraiser.
- Modify your goals, if necessary, based on appraiser approval.
- Obtain additional supports from the appraiser and/or colleague(s), if needed.
Your appraiser will:
- Establish timelines to periodically discuss the plan with teachers, i.e., staff meetings, grade/department meetings, individual teacher conferences.
- Coach, support and follow-up with requested support from teachers.
- Validate teacher implementation and connect GSPD plan and implementation to informal and formal observations.
- Determine if goal revisions/additions should occur.
STEP 4
Prepare for End-of Year Conference
- Identify the evidence and other data that align with each of the goals and support how the goals were met and/or progress towards the goal(s), including the impact on student performance.
- Organize the GSPD evidence/data prior to the conference and submit these to the appraiser.
- Prepare to discuss the evidence/data, goals, actions, timelines/completion dates, and ways to maintain and/or further develop practices.
- Draft preliminary goals and professional development for the following school year.
- Complete Part II of the GSPD plan, if requested.
Please note: Teachers must submit their GSPD Plan and evidence prior to the end-of-year conference.
End-of-Year Conference
The purpose is to review and assess goals, professional development, and evidence/data to determine how goals were met and the impact on professional practices and student performance. You will:
- Schedule your EOY conference with your appraiser. Conferences must be conducted at least 15 days prior to the last day of instruction
- Discuss the evidence and data with the appraiser as they relate to the goal(s) and professional development.
- Reflect on changes in knowledge and skills, including the impact on professional practices and student performance.
- Celebrate successes and identify areas to continue learning and refining practices.
- Record lessons learned and apply these in new ways.
The Professional Practices and Responsibilities Domain (domain 4) is rated after the end-of-year conference when the appraiser and teacher meet to finalize the annual appraisal process.
Dimensions:
1.Professional Demeanor and Ethics
2. Goal Setting
3. Professional Development
4. School Community Involvement
This meeting will also serve as a Preliminary Goal Setting and Professional Development for the 2019-2020 school year. The purpose is for you to link goals and areas of refinement as a continuous improvement cycle of professional development.