Background |
The TEAM evaluation system generates a level of overall effectiveness (LOE) score for all teachers by combining quantitative and qualitative data. The qualitative measure, teacher observation, constitutes 50% of the LOE, and the quantitative portion is comprised of 15% for student academic achievement and 35% for student academic growth. For teachers in state-tested courses, student academic growth is reflected through the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS).Measures of student academic growth for select non-state-tested teachers, such as student growth portfolios or alternative measures of growth, allow teachers in non-state-tested courses to represent their individual impact on academic growth. Before alternative measures of student academic growth were developed, the growth portion of the LOE for teachers in non-state-tested courses was based on metrics that were often out of their immediate locus of control. Alternative measures of growth allow non-tested teachers to demonstrate student academic growth that occurs in their own classroom with their own students.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 and state board policy 5.201, 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 a comparable approved alternative measure of student growth.Based on T.C.A. § 49-1-302, a 2018 report released by the comptroller’s office, recommendations made by the portfolio review committee in 2019, and stakeholder feedback, the department solicited recommendations for alternative measures of student academic growth to portfolios from across the state. These measures were reviewed by the department and recommended to the state board for implementation for the 2020-21 school year.
The guidance provided below reflects the law and state board of education rules and policies as of Oct. 2020. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Measure Approval and Selection
|
According to state board evaluation policy 5.201, in order for a measure of student academic growth to be considered for conditional approval, the measure must:
In addition, each proposed student growth measure shall be evaluated by the department for purpose or intended use, alignment to the Tennessee academic standards, frequency of administration during a school year, and modality. Districts and charter organizations select which measures of student growth they will implement through the annual evaluation flexibility options survey completed by the director of schools. Current options include:
All measures outside of student growth portfolios are approved for a one year pilot and do not necessarily constitute a product endorsement by the department. District or charter directors that wish to submit an additional measure for state board approval may do so by completing this form by Nov. 30. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Implementation |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scaling |
In order to ensure reliability, the following scales must be utilized for calculating student growth.Pre-Kindergarten:
Kindergarten:
1 Scaling developed collaboratively by Wilson County Schools, Franklin Special School District, and McMinn County Schools. 2 Scaling developed collaboratively by Rutherford County Schools, Franklin Special School District, and Marshall County Schools. 3 Scalingdeveloped by Marshall County Schools. 4 Scaling developed collaboratively by Clinton City Schools, Franklin Special School District, and Maryville City Schools. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contact |
With questions or for more information, please contact Portfolio.Questions@tn.gov. |