Eduphoria districts can choose between two versions of the T-TESS framework: T-TESS Alternate Domain 1 (ALT D1) and T-TESS v2.
Note: This article walks you through setting up a template for evaluation. When you are ready to conduct an evaluation, see Creating an Evaluation Document for staff.
T-TESS ALT D1 Framework
According to the TEA, some districts currently utilize a variety of curricula that shift teacher responsibilities from lesson planning to lesson internalization. Rather than designing lessons, teachers internalize and adapt content for already-created lesson plans.
In 2024, the TEA released an alternate Domain 1 focusing on lesson internalization rather than planning. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, teachers may be appraised using Domain 1 or Alternate Domain 1 based on aligning a teacher’s responsibilities with either lesson planning or internalization.
Eduphoria has created a framework for this option, T-TESS ALT D1. It is available to all customers and appears in the frameworks list.
Identifying Locked Frameworks
Appraisal managers can access locked frameworks by selecting Settings, then Framework Setup.
Locked frameworks are indicated with a lock icon and cannot be edited or deleted.
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A locked framework called T-TESS ALT D1 is a rubric from the TEA with an alternate version of Domain 1 for teachers who use packaged lesson plans. If your district selects this framework, you must create a new evaluation process and import the templates from the Eduphoria Community. Learn more about Creating the Evaluation Process with the T-TESS ALT D1 Framework.
Note: Eduphoria recommends that you select one framework for all teachers so the data will not be split between two processes. Select ALT D1 only if you evaluate all of your teachers using the language of lesson internalization. If you have a mix, select the v2 framework and address lesson internalization by using the documents that have descriptors for both (see the table in Step 4 under Gathering Templates From the Eduphoria Community below).
Creating the Evaluation Process With the T-TESS ALT D1 Framework
If your district uses the locked T-TESS ALT D1 framework, you must create a new evaluation process.
Retiring Your Existing T-TESS Appraisee Type
The first series of steps requires you to retire your existing T-TESS appraisee type.
Quick Guide
Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.
Then select Appraisee Types under Configuration Options.
Select the existing T-TESS Teacher appraisee type you will no longer use.
Under Appraisee Type Details, change the title to z_OLD-T-TESS Teacher-DO NOT USE.
Illustrated Guide
Step 1: Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.
Step 2: Then select Appraisee Types under Configuration Options.
Step 3: Select the existing T-TESS Teacher appraisee type you will no longer use.
Step 4: Under Appraisee Type Details, change the title to z_OLD-T-TESS Teacher-DO NOT USE.
Retitling drops the appraisee type to the bottom of the list and lets appraisers see it is no longer used.
Gathering Templates From the Eduphoria Community
Next, you will locate and download specific templates from the Eduphoria Community.
Quick Guide
Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.
Then select Eduphoria Community under Configuration Options.
Click the Refresh documents button to ensure you have the most up-to-date options.
Locate the templates you want to download (see template list in Step 4 of this section’s Illustrated Guide).
Select Import Template to download each of the above templates.
Access your downloaded templates within their respective form types under Settings > Form Management.
Illustrated Guide
Step 1: Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.
Step 2: Then select Eduphoria Community under Configuration Options.
Step 3: Click the Refresh documents button to ensure you have the most up-to-date options.
Step 4: Locate the following templates to download:
Folder | Template Title |
|---|---|
Reflections | ** T-TESS ALT D1 - BOY - Self-Assessment (GSPD Part I) ** T-TESS ALT D1 - EOY - Goal Reflections (GSPD Part II) |
Walkthroughs | **T-TESS ALT D1 Walkthrough, Domains 2&3 Look Fors **T-TESS ALT D1 Walkthrough, Domains 2&3 Comment Boxes **T-TESS Alt D1 D2-3 Ratings NEW **T-TESS Alt D1 Domains 2&3 (Checklists & Ratings) NEW |
Observations | ** T-TESS Alt D1 Pre-Obs. Conference ** T-TESS Alt D1 Observation ** T-TESS Alt D1 Observation (grouped) ** T-TESS Alt D1 Post-Obs. Conference |
Summatives | ** T-TESS Alt D1 Summative ** T-TESS Alt D1 Summative (grouped) |
Note: Framework settings and tags are already set for templates imported from the community.
Step 5: Select Import Template to download each of the above templates.
Step 6: Access your downloaded templates within their respective form types under Settings > Form Management.
Creating a New T-TESS ALT D1 Appraisee Type
Next, you’ll create a new T-TESS ALT D1 appraisee type.
Quick Guide
Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.
Select Appraisee Types. Then select New Appraisee Type under Appraisee Type Options.
Type “T-TESS Teacher Alt D1” in the Appraisee Type Title box, and click Next.
Click Finish to close the wizard.
Illustrated Guide
Step 1: Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.
Step 2: Select Appraisee Types. Then select New Appraisee Type under Appraisee Type Options.
Step 3: Type “T-TESS Teacher Alt D1” in the Appraisee Type Title box, and click Next.
Step 4: Click Finish to close the wizard.
Building a T-TESS ALT D1 Process
Focus next on building a T-TESS ALT D1 process.
Quick Guide
Select T-TESS Teacher Alt D1 under Appraisee Types.
Click the drop-down menu under Select Framework and select T-TESS Alt D1.
Set up the evaluation process by creating and modifying steps and tasks in the Evaluation Process Template.
Assign the appropriate task type to each task as you create them (see a sample process in Step 4 of this section’s Illustrated Guide).
Illustrated Guide
Step 1: Select T-TESS Teacher Alt D1 under Appraisee Types.
Step 2: Click the drop-down menu under Select Framework and select T-TESS Alt D1.
Step 3: Set up the evaluation process by creating and modifying steps and tasks in the Evaluation Process Template.
Step 4: Assign the appropriate task type to each task as you create them.
Sample Process
Step | Task | Task Type |
|---|---|---|
Goal Setting | Self-Assessment | Document |
Professional Goal | Professional Goal | |
Student Growth Goal | Student Growth Goal | |
Walkthroughs | Walkthroughs | Document |
Observation | Pre-Observation Conference | Document |
Observation | Document | |
Post-Observation Conference | Document | |
End-of-Year Conference | Goals Reflection | Document |
Summative | Document |
Tying Your Tasks to the Appropriate Templates
Except for the Professional Goal and Student Growth Goal, your tasks should be assigned the document task type, and the appropriate template must be attached.
Note: For data collection purposes, Eduphoria recommends that you select only one walkthrough template as your primary for the required T-TESS Walkthroughs task. Other templates can be used in a separate task.
Quick Guide
Select Update after attaching each template to its task type (see table of recommended templates in Step 1 of this section’s Illustrated Guide).
Select Update after each template selection.
Click Save after all selections are complete.
Illustrated Guide
Step 1: Select Update after attaching each template to its task type.
Recommended Templates
Step | Task | Template Title |
|---|---|---|
Goal Setting | Self-Assessment | ** T-TESS Alt D1 - BOY - Self-Assessment (GSPD Part I) |
Walkthroughs | Walkthrough | **T-TESS Alt D1 Walkthrough, Domains 2&3 Look Fors |
**T-TESS Alt D1 Walkthrough, Domains 2&3 Comment Boxes | ||
**T-TESS Alt D1 D2-3 Ratings NEW | ||
**T-TESS Alt D1 Domains 2&3 (Checklists & Ratings) NEW | ||
Observation | Pre-Observation Conference | ** T-TESS Alt D1 Pre-Obs. Conference |
Observation | ** T-TESS Alt D1 Observation | |
Post-Observation Conference | ** T-TESS Alt D1 Post-Obs. Conference | |
End-of-Year Conference | Goals Reflection | ** T-TESS Alt D1 - EOY - Goal Reflections (GSPD Part II) |
Summative | ** T-TESS Alt D1 Summative |
Step 2: Select Update after each template selection.
Step 3: Click Save after all selections are complete.
Your new T-TESS ALT D1 process is now ready to use. Appraisers must select the T-TESS ALT D1 appraisee type for the teachers they appraise with this framework.
Making Old Templates Inactive
Form Management contains all active templates and allows appraisal administrators to make active templates inactive. Making a template inactive moves the template to the Inactive Forms section and removes it from evaluation processes and report selections while maintaining historical data for analysis. In addition, you can make inactive forms active again.
Locate the old template under the appropriate form type, then select the Make Inactive icon.
If the Make Inactive icon is grayed out, that means the template is currently associated with an evaluation process and cannot be made inactive.