Statute, Rule, and Policy

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.

Recently Added Statute, Rule, and Policy Guidance	2024-25 TEAM Evaluation Timeline 2022-23 Evaluation Composite Weighting 2023-24 Evaluation Composite Weighting 2024-2025 Evaluation Composite Weighting
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. 2024-25 Evaluation Flexibility Options Guidance
Alternate Observation Models for Charter Organizations	Per State Board Evaluation Rule 0520-02-01, charter schools or charter management organizations may propose an alternate observation model for teacher observation. Charter school leaders who would like to implement an alternate teacher observation model must submit a proposal for review via this form by Jan. 15 of the year prior to implementation Charter schools currently implementing a state board-approved alternative teacher observation model do not need to submit a request in order to continue using the currently implemented model.
Alternate Observation Models for Districts	Per State Board Evaluation Rule 0520-02-01, districts must use a state board-approved model for teacher and leader observation as part of the educator evaluation system. Directors of schools that would like for their districts to pilot an alternate observation model must submit a request for model review by Jan. 15 via this form. Districts currently implementing a state board approved alternative observation model do not need to submit a request in order to continue using the currently implemented model.
Partial Year Exemptions (PYE)	Tennessee statute 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	Statute and state board rule 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. For more details on handling grievances related to evaluation, view the Guidance for Grievances. For information on the process required to address a grievance decision by an LEA necessitating a change to an educator’s growth score and therefore a change to the educator’s level of overall effectiveness (LOE), view Student Growth Score Grievance Resolution Protocol.
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: To meet the screener requirements within the RTI2 framework, As a dyslexia screener, and As an approved alternative growth model for teacher evaluations. 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: Tennessee Universal Reading Screener (aimswebPlus) DIBELs, 8th Edition easyCBM FastBridge Suite iReady + iReady Early Reading Tasks Measures of Academic Progress Suite STAR Early Literacy 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.
Legislative and State Board Announcements	Legislative 2022-23 Legislative Updates Impacting Evaluation
Past Legislative and State Board Announcements	2021 Special Session Legislation Teacher Licensing and Accountability Guidance Including Third Party Vendors COVID-19 Teacher Tenure FAQ