How TEAM Works

Model of Continuous Improvement

TEAM will facilitate a cycle of continuous improvement among our educators, our students, and the education system of Tennessee. Using observations and data together, TEAM allows teachers and school leaders to have an ongoing dialogue about instruction in the classroom and improving student learning. As educators begin using the system to improve performance in the classroom, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) will be collecting feedback about educators' experiences with the new system. Teachers and principals were key collaborators during the design process, and they will continue to play an important role in improving the evaluation system during year one and beyond.

  • Learn more about the the way TEAM facilitates continuous reflection and improvement. Download »
  • Learn more about TDOE's plans to learn from educators' experience with TEAM. Download »

Frequent and Constructive Feedback

Effective teachers work hard to get better every year. Through frequent observations and conferences, teachers and school leaders will work together to identify strengths (Areas of Reinforcement) and development needs (Areas of Refinement). In this way, teachers will discover concrete ideas for improving their practice and have opportunities for ongoing development through many vehicles including the NIET Best Practices Portal.

  • Learn more about how TEAM promotes continuous feedback and focus on the classroom. Download »

Measuring Student Learning

Tennessee leads the nation in its ability to measure student growth. TEAM incorporates achievement and growth measures into the overall assessment of teacher effectiveness. The achievement measure is chosen by the teacher and his/her administrator at the beginning of the school year; the growth measure is TVAAS data or a comparable measure approved by TDOE.

  • Learn more about using student data to improve the impact of instruction in the classroom. Download »

Ratings

TEAM differentiates teachers into five effectiveness groups: Significantly Below Expectations (1) to Significantly Above Expectations (5). The rating is calculated based on 50% qualitative data and 50% quantitative data, offering a holistic picture of an educator’s practice.

TEAM Updates

We have posted previous TEAM Updates here so they can be referenced at a later date.

Fine Arts Portfolio Model

The State Board of Education recently approved the use of a new fine arts portfolio model that generates individual growth scores for fine arts teachers. This model was designed by a group of Tennessee fine arts educators and is garnering national interest. We are excited to finally be able to provide Tennessee fine arts teachers with an evaluation system that is tied to the measurement of student learning in the arts. Below is a Teacher Guide that explains the model in greater detail. The decision to utilize this model must be made at the district level, but if you would like more information, please reach out to Courtney.Seiler@tn.gov.

Proposed Physical Education Student Growth Model