T-TESS Domain Breakdown

T-TESS

Understanding

T-TESS Rubric

Teacher Handbook

Click on the numbers below to learn more about each domain.

Planning

Instruction

Learning Environment

Professional Practices & Responsibilities

Planning: Domain 1

Effective planning begins with measurable and explicit learning outcomes aligned to the TEKS and other relevant standards of learning. Planning is based on three driving questions:

Dimension 1.1

Standards & Alignment

Dimension 1.2

Data & Assessment

What do I want students to be able to do as a result of this lesson? How will the students be engaged in learning to address their individual needs and interests? How will I assess that the students have demonstrated mastery of the identified knowledgem skills, and concepts in the lesson?

Dimension 1.3

Knowledge of Students

Dimension 1.4

Activities

Click on the dimensions above to learn more about each one.

Domain 1

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1B

1A

3A

3B

3C

Domain 1

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1F

1B

2B

2C

5B

5A

5D

5C

Domain 1

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1B

1C

1A

2A

2C

2B

Domain 1

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1C

1B

1D

1E

Instruction: Domain 2

Dimension 2.1

Achieving Expectations

Dimension 2.4

Differentiation

This domain specifically addresses "how" learning is structured and executed during the lesson to ensure that student mastery of th learning objectives is occurring. Quality planning is the precursor to quality instruction, and is a multi-faceted process.

Dimension 2.5

Monitor & Adjust

Dimension 2.2

Content Knowledge & Expertise

Click on the dimensions to the right to learn more about each one.

Dimension 2.3

Communication

Domain 2

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1D

1E

1B

2C

2A

3B

5B

4D

4A

Domain 2

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1A

1C

1E

1F

3A

2C

3C

3B

Domain 2

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1D

1E

2A

3A

4D

Domain 2

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1F

1C

2A

2B

2C

3C

4A

5A

5C

5D

Domain 2

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1F

1D

2B

2C

3B

4D

5D

5C

Learning Environment: Domain 3

Dimension 3.1

Classroom Environment, Routines & Procedures

Dimension 3.2

Managing Student Behavior

This domain specifically addresses "how" the learning environment is structured both physically and culturally so that it is conducive to teaching and learning. Establishing a safe, respectful, inclusive, and efficient learning environment is critical to students' social-emotional readiness to learn and ensuring that academic learning goals and outcomes are met. Students who feel connected, valued, and inspired in the classroom are more likely to exhibit positive attitudes to learning. Quality planning for how to structure the classroom learning environment to align with respective lessons is the precursor to quality instruction, and as discussed in the previous sections.

Dimension 3.3

Classroom Culture

Click on the dimensions above to learn more about each one.

Domain 3

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

4A

1D

4D

4C

4B

Domain 3

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

4B

4A

4D

4C

Domain 3

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

1E

1F

3B

4C

4D

5A

5D

5C

Professional Practices & Responsibilties: Domain 4

This domain specifically addresses "how" teachers fulfill their professional roles and responsibilities, engaging in ongoing review and development of their practices, and adhere to legal and ethical requirements of the profession. Research consistently indicates that the primary factor for increasing student achievement is the effectiveness of the teacher. Therefore, teachers and other professionals clearly understand the importance of using reflection and ongogin self-assessment to enchance their effectiveness and impact on student performance.

Dimension 4.1

Professional Demeanor & Ethics

Dimension 4.2

Goal Setting

Dimension 4.4

School Community Involvement

Dimension 4.3

Professional Development

Click on the dimensions above to learn more about each one.

Domain 4

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

6C

6B

6D

Domain 4

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

6B

6A

5D

Domain 4

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

3A

6A

6C

6B

Domain 4

Ratings Comparison

INFO

Texas Teacher Standards

2A

2B

4D

4A

5B

6B

6D

6C