Teacher Model

Understanding TVAAS

Due to the increased emphasis placed on value-added measures by TEAM, educators now have an even greater need to understand the statistical models and process for generating value-added reporting. We have created a video series, led by Nancy Zambito, that addresses some key understandings. First, what is value-added and how is it different from achievement measures? Why do we use it? And what do educators need to know about the statistical models used to generate value-added measures in Tennessee? The second part of this session covers how the composites used in educator evaluation are calculated. A FAQ section will be added in the coming weeks to provide more specific information about some aspects of the model and process. We hope that by learning more about how TVAAS is calculated, teachers will better understand the reporting and be able to leverage that knowledge in their work with their students.

  • Overview (7:57) View
  • Tennessee Model (3:26) View
  • TCAP Assessments (2:02) View
  • EOC Assessments (2:22) View
  • Evaluation Composites (7:51) View
  • Access the full collection on the ELC Visit »
  • FAQs Download »

Document Library: Forms and Resources

Hear from Your Colleagues

Several schools participated in a field test of the TEAM system last year. These videos show teachers and administrators talking about their experience with the system, including the challenges, the successes and the potential benefit that they see for their students this year. In the newest video, Making TEAM Work, administrators discuss strategies they have used to implement and manage the TEAM system process. Commissioner Huffman describes the development of the system itself as well as the key goals and expectations for implementation.

  • Making TEAM Work View
  • Teachers talk about TEAM View
  • Administrators talk about TEAM View
  • Commissioner Huffman on TEAM View

Preparing and Supporting Staff

Tools to aid school and district leaders in implementing the new system are provided here to ensure that teachers and observers are able to complete the evaluation cycle, and benefit from meaningful feedback discussions and plans for development. The TEAM Observation Pacing Guide can help school leadership teams plan for the number of observations that will be required through the year. In addition, the NIET Best Practices Portal provides a broad range of information and tools that will support training and individualized professional development. Information about access for educators is below.

  • TEAM Observation Pacing Guide (Updated 8/13/12) Download »
  • NIET Best Practices Portal Visit »
  • NIET Best Practices Portal Access Guide Download »
  • NIET Best Practices Portal: Individualized Professional Development Download »

Observations and Conferences (50%)

TEAM ensures frequent observations and constructive feedback for educators through multiple observations and pre and post conferences. Using the indicators of the TEAM Rubric, educators can work together to identify what is working well in the classroom (Area of Reinforcement), where there is room for improvement (Area of Refinement) and options for professional development to support the Area of Refinement. Alternate rubrics and forms (including savable versions) can be found in the Document Library, linked at the bottom of this section.

Achievement Measure (15%)

The 50% quantitative portion of TEAM combines student growth (35%) and student achievement (15%). The State Board of Education has approved a matrix of options for teachers and principals for the 15% achievement measure component. Teachers should meet with their evaluator to choose a 15% measure and complete the Achievement Measure Worksheet. Resources for this choice can be found below. In August, the State Board of Education revised the list of approved 15% achievement measures to reflect only those measures that showed a relationship to student growth and that could be returned in a timely manner.

  • Approved Achievement Measures: Additional Information (Updated 8/16/12) Visit »
  • Achievement Measure Worksheet (Word Version-Updated 8/13/12) Visit »
  • Example Achievement Measure Worksheet (Updated 8/13/12) Visit »
  • Sample Calculations (Updated 8/13/12) Visit »
  • Approved National Industry Certification Tests for CTE (Updated 10/2/12) Download »
  • Guidance on Approved 15% Academic Achievement Measures (Added 10/30/12) Download »

Growth Data (35%)

The 50% quantitative portion of TEAM combines student growth (35%) and student achievement (15%). For many teachers, the growth measure used in the evaluation system is individual TVAAS, a statistical method that compares each student's actual growth to his/her projected growth. For teachers without individual TVAAS data for their grades and subjects, TDOE has provided guidance on the growth measure that will be used this year. Review the Growth for Non-Tested Subjects Summary for additional information on areas with pilot programs aimed at identifying additional assessments that could be used in future years as growth measures. The Value-Added Guide for Teachers provides more information about how value-added is calculated and what it shows.

  • Value-Added Guide for Teachers Visit »
  • Pilot Update for Non-Tested Grades and Subjects (Added 1/4/2012) Visit »
  • TVAAS Composite Information for Teachers in Tested Grades and Subjects (Added 12/5/2011) Download »
  • Measuring Student Learning Visit »

Data System

A comprehensive system is being developed to capture all of the observation data, and ultimately, this system will combine observation data with student data to calculate the summative effectiveness rating. The system will be available for observers to enter the observation data and track the progress of the evaluation cycle. The Data System Fact Sheet provides additional information about the system, and the Evaluator Access Guide provides step-by-step directions for accessing the site. During the year, the system will be improved to increase functionality and provide access for teachers.

Evaluator Certification

All observers and evaluators who are conducting observations and conferences as part of TEAM must complete training and pass the certification test. Additional information on this process is available below.

  • Evaluator Certification Q&A Download »
  • Certification test on the NIET Best Practices Portal Visit »

Ratings and Outcomes

The multiple measures of the educator evaluation system result in an overall effectiveness rating that combines observations and student data. The information below outlines how the 3 components are combined. The PowerPoint presentation may be used to facilitate additional training or discussion among educators. In addition, the First to the Top Act requires that these ratings be considered in personnel decisions that may include recruitment, promotion and dismissal. All of these personnel policies are made at the district level and are not determined by the State. However, tenure policies are part of the law, including new eligibility requirements; information about the new tenure requirements is provided below.

Ask a Question

We hope that you have been able to find answers to many of your questions through the guidance and resources available here. However, we want to be sure that you have all of the information that you need, so if you still have questions, ask here or email team.questions@tn.gov.

Observation Guidance Documents

Throughout the spring, the department met with educator groups and created documents to assist evaluators observing content areas that have been more difficult to observe. Under the General Educator rubric, these areas include: Early Childhood, Special Education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Online Teaching, and Alternative Schools. Under the School Services Personnel rubric, these areas include: School Counselors, School Audiologists, Speech/Language Pathologists (SLP), School Social Workers (SSW), and Vision Specialists).

Policy Changes for Year Two

Throughout the first year of evaluation, the department made a concerted effort to collect feedback from districts, schools, and teachers to facilitate a process of continuous improvement and to ensure that the evaluation system continues to increase the quality of teaching throughout our state. This feedback influenced year two policy changes that were passed by the State Board of Education on Monday August 13. While these policy improvements are exciting, there is a lot of information to absorb and the impact of these changes, in most instances, is immediate. We have included guidance documents on each new policy change so you can explore what these changes mean for you.

  • Number of Observations Visit »
  • Revised Approved Academic Achievement Measures Visit »
  • Comparable Measures for Non-Tested Grades and Subjects Visit »
  • Acceptable Range of Results Visit »
  • Revised Professionalism Rubric Visit »

Coaching Conversations

The core of the TEAM evaluation system is helping all of our educators continuously improve their practice. An incredibly important part of helping educators improve their practice is engaging in regular, substantive coaching conversations based around student learning data and observation data. These coaching conversations can be a useful tool to guide any conversations with educators throughout the year, but they are required for teachers who previously scored a level 1 on their individual growth or overall effectiveness rating. While many of you have experienced these difficult conversations, we have created sample videos to demonstrate the key elements of a coaching conversation.

  • Commissioner Huffman on Coaching Conversations Visit »
  • Principal-Teacher Coaching Conversation Visit »
  • Supervisor-Principal Coaching Conversation Visit »