Teacher Excellence Support System (TESS)

posted by: Alix | March 04, 2013, 08:48 PM

Based on Charlotte Danielson's 2011 edition of "A Framework for Teaching," teachers, administrators and your ASTA staff are preparing for the 2013-2014 statewide pilot of Arkansas' new teacher (and other certified areas) evaluation system, the Teacher Excellence Support System or TESS. ASTA staff are attending TESS training so that we can be a source of support and assistance to members and schools as we anticipate many questions and requests for assistance. Training across the state for administrators, school- appointed teacher trainers, and teachers intensifies over the next several months.

A commitment to develop and implement common statewide evaluations for all teachers, certified staff, principals and superintendents was required by the U.S. Department of Education in order for Arkansas to receive flexibility around No Child Left Behind expectations. This permission is known as ESEA Flexibility.

A committee of stakeholders, including ASTA, has been meeting with the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) on a regular basis to provide feedback and guidance throughout the development and implementation process and will continue to meet. ADE is trying its best to ensure this is a very transparent process. Several schools across the state have already been piloting the new system. Also, every document that has been produced regarding TESS is located on the ADE website under the heading Teacher Evaluation System

What Deadlines are Coming Up?

Teachers must complete the ½ day face –to-face training and begin the Framework for Teaching training by August 31, 2013.
Teachers must have completed all training by May 31, 2014. Training will be delivered via the online Teachscape system.
Certified/Credentialed school administrators will complete summative evaluations of teachers and must pass the TESS evaluator certification test by December 31, 2013.
Central office staff are required to go through the TESS evaluator training; but, because they will not evaluate teachers, are not required to pass the certification test.

What Can You Do Now to Prepare for TESS?

Obtain your own copy of Danielson’s 2011 edition of “Framework for Teaching” and learn the rubric. Begin to reflect on your own professional practices and what needs you will have in order to grow and learn based on the expectations. Initiate discussions with colleagues about TESS.
Want to “test” if meetings with your colleagues are focused on what we know from research grow excellent schools? The Danielson rubric is a great place to start. According to Danielson and ADE staff, one of the biggest benefits to TESS is the professional conversation with a common language it will spur. Start to align your PLC/team/faculty meetings to the rubric. You will be able to see patterns of where you are spending too much time and what areas are neglected.
Understand Arkansas’ rating system. In terms of ratings, according to ADE staff, it is expected the highest rating, Distinguished, is a level one will “visit” but not “live” in at all times. You’ll understand this once you study the rubric. “Distinguished” is generally described in the rubric in terms of a truly student-centered classroom where students operate with few organizational/operational prompts from the teacher, students learn through problem-solving processes they create and a teacher’s use of effective questioning plays a large role in facilitating the learning in the classroom.
Visit a school or set up a conference call with a team of teachers from a school piloting TESS. They have first-hand knowledge of the process and can be a reality check!
If you are involved with the training or pilot, ASTA would love to publish your insights in the ASTA newsletter. Let us know what you are learning and we’ll pass it on!
Finally, let your ASTA staff know what needs and questions you have. We want to support you and be a safe place for you to ask questions and voice concerns.

MORE TESS TIPS COMING YOUR WAY! WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED AND PASS ON KEY INFORMATION!