All guidance provided is in accordance with T.C.A. § 49-1-302, State Board Rule 0520-02-01 Evaluations, and State Board Policy 5.201 Educator Evaluation Policy.
Description |
The Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM) is Tennessee’s comprehensive teacher and administrator evaluation system, designed to accelerate student access to highly effective educators. Authorized by the legislature in 2011, TEAM is governed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-1-302 and detailed in State Board of Education Policy 5.201 and Evaluation Rule 0520-02-01. This model provides a structured framework for evaluating educators, incorporating flexibility options, partial year exemptions, grievances, and alternate observation models. This webpage offers specific guidance on these components, ensuring that observers understand the significant impact of these laws and policies on teachers and schools. By utilizing TEAM, Tennessee aims to enhance the quality of education through rigorous and supportive evaluation practices. |
Evaluation Guidance |
|
Recently Added Statute, Rule, and Policy Guidance |
|
Evaluation Flexibility Options |
The department launches the annual Evaluation Flexibility Options Survey each spring. In completing this survey, districts and charters reflect on implementation of local educator evaluation and make selections that best support district plans. Additionally, the information provided in the survey is used to configure the evaluation component of TNCompass. |
Alternate Observation Models |
Districts and charters must implement the TEAM model or another state board-approved observation model as described in Tennessee State Board of Education (SBE) Educator Evaluation Policy 5.201. Teacher Observations: The list of currently approved alternate observation models for LEAs, state special, and charter schools includes:
Per State Board Evaluation Rule 0520-02-01, districts may pilot an alternate observation model.
Administrator Observations:
For Charters: options include all state-board approved observation models, as listed above, plus additional state-board approved charter models found here. Per State Board Evaluation Rule 0520-02-01, charter schools or charter management organizations may propose an alternate observation model.
|
Partial Year Exemptions (PYE) |
In accordance with T.C.A and per State Board Evaluation Rule 0520-02-01 requires that the evaluation process shall not apply to teachers who are employed under contracts of duration of one hundred twenty (120) days per school year or less or who are not employed full-time. For more details on PYE, click here: Partial Year Exemptions. |
Guidance on Grievances |
T.C.A. § 49-1-302, State Board of Education rule 0520-02-01, and State Board of Education Teacher and Administrator Evaluation Policy 5.201 require districts to implement local-level grievance procedures to provide a means for evaluated teachers and principals to challenge the accuracy of the data used in the evaluation and adherence to the evaluation policies adopted by the State Board of Education.
|
Pre-K Quality Act |
During the 2016 legislative session, the General Assembly passed the Pre-K Quality Act. As a result, each district that receives state funding for the voluntary pre-K program (VPK) must utilize the state board approved pre-K and kindergarten student growth portfolio models or a state board-approved alternative for the growth portion of teacher evaluation for pre-K and kindergarten teachers. |
Tennessee Literacy Success Act |
Pursuant to the 2021 Tennessee Literacy Success Act, districts are also required to administer an approved universal reading screener to all students in grades K-2. The department has provided a free Tennessee universal reading screener, which may be used for the following:
Measures approved as universal reading screeners by the state board in policy 3.302 as required by the Tennessee Literacy Success Act include the Tennessee Universal Reading Screener and the following:
These measures may be used for all students in grades K-2. Tennessee Universal Reading Screener resources may be found on the alternative growth measure page on the TEAM website as well as the department’s 2021 Special Session webpage. Guidance on other state board-approved universal screeners may be accessed by contacting TN.universalscreener@tn.gov. |
Past Legislative and State Board Announcements
|
2021 Special Session Legislation |