Description |
The TEAM evaluation system generates a level of overall effectiveness (LOE) score for all teachers by combining teacher observation, student academic achievement, and student academic growth. For teachers in state-tested courses, student academic growth is reflected through the Tennessee Value Added Assessment System (TVAAS). Teachers in non-tested courses may access a student growth portfolio or an alternative growth measure (AGM) to represent their individual impact on academic growth. In both scenarios, the growth score comprises 35% of the teacher’s LOE.In February 2018, the state legislature amended T.C.A. § 49-1-302 to ensure that every district and charter organization utilizes at least one approved growth measure for non-tested teachers. Additionally, pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-6-105, state board policy 5.201, and state board rule 0520-02-01, districts and charters that receive pre-kindergarten program approval under T.C.A. §§ 49-6-103 – 49-6-110 (VPK funding) must utilize the pre-K/kindergarten growth portfolio model or an approved AGM for the student growth portion of teacher evaluation.Pursuant to the 2021 Tennessee Literacy Success Act, codified at T.C.A. § 49-1-901 et. seq., allows for districts and public charter schools to use a Universal Reading Screener (URS) as an approved alternative growth measure (AGM) for Pre-K -2 teachers.Measures approved as universal reading screeners by the state board in policy 3.302 as required by the Tennessee Literacy Success Act include the following:
All measures may be used as an alternative growth measure (AGM) for all students in grades K-2. Starred measures may be used as an alternative growth measure (AGM) in Pre-K. It is important to note that there are limits to using the Pearson aimswebPlus screener for Pre-K. Pearson aimswebPlus allow for rostering of Pre-K students but uses kindergarten national norms and does not have Pre-K norms. These norms may limit the equity of using Pearson aimswebPlus for an alternative growth measure. |
URS Growth Score Guidance
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Ensuring Implementing Teachers Receive Accurate Growth ScoresDistricts should:
Ensuring District Data Quality with URS Implementation Districts should take certain steps to ensure data quality. These include:
Receiving Growth Scores from URS Implementation Implementing teachers who have fewer than six students with complete data sets from fall and spring administration will not generate an individual growth score from the URS. These teachers will have their level of effectiveness (LOE) scores calculated as non-tested teachers. Implementing teachers who do not generate a URS based growth due to lack of district data quality will receive an incomplete (I) and will not generate an LOE. The “best possible” scenario was available only for the 2021-22 school year and is no longer an option for the 2022-23 school year and beyond. |
Resources |
AGM-URS District/Charter Lead Office Hour RecordingAGM-URS District/Charter Lead Office Hour PowerPoint
AGM-URS Teacher Rostering Guidance Alternative Growth Score Guidance Tennessee Universal Reading Screener Guidance Documents (found in the Literacy Success Act section) |
Contact |
With questions or for more information on individual growth measure scores, please contact TEAM.Questions@tn.gov.
With questions or for more information on implementation of a Tennessee Universal Reading Screeners, please contact TN.universalscreener@tn.gov. |