T-TESS & TIA
Understanding the T-TESS Role
Once a teacher is in an eligible teaching category in the local designation plan, they will be included in the data capture year. The data must be validated for the system to be approved before teachers are able to obtain TIA funds. In order to be eligible for a designation, teachers will be required to have a minimum of one full observation and have student growth data. The cutpoints for these will be set by the district. The goal of including T-TESS as a component of TIA is to promote both teacher and student growth. Every teacher who is in an eligible teaching assignment for their local designation system will have a minimum of a full observation annually.
What's observed?
Dimension scores for Domains 2 and 3 are used in data validation process. Districts may opt to use scores for Domains 1 and 4 in their optional component category.
What is the T-TESS best practice?
At Medina Valley ISD, where greatness grows, teachers are encouraged to engage in authentic reflection about their professional practices to ensure continuous improvement for both students and themselves. Each educator identifies professional growth goals aligned to campus and district priorities, develops and implements a focused professional learning plan, and monitors progress throughout the year to ensure impact on student learning.
Being an active participant in your T-TESS process is an essential part of this growth journey. Regular reflection using the full T-TESS rubric allows you to pinpoint areas of strength and opportunity, celebrate progress, and refine your instructional impact. This process reinforces our district’s belief that greatness grows through reflection, intentionality, and action.
Find the full T-TESS Rubric here: teachfortexas.org/Resource_Files/Guides/T-TESS_Rubric.pdf