Setting up the T-TESS v2 Evaluation Process

Updated
  • Updated on Nov 7, 2025
  • Published on Mar 27, 2025
  • 6 minute(s) read
Prev Next

Eduphoria districts can choose between two versions of the T-TESS framework: T-TESS v2 and T-TESS Alternate Domain 1 (Alt D1).

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 v2 Framework

Eduphoria offers the T-Tess v2 framework as an available T-TESS framework. This updated version has the same dimensions as the original T-TESS but has the added feature of being locked.

Locked frameworks increase data fidelity within and across districts and allow for more easily updated and shared templates in the Eduphoria Community. Eduphoria creates, updates, and supports templates tied to the locked T-TESS v2 and T-TESS Alt D1 frameworks.

Identifying Locked Frameworks

Appraisal managers can access locked frameworks by selecting Settings, then Framework Setup.

settings framework setup.jpg

Locked frameworks are indicated with a lock icon and cannot be edited or deleted.

List of locked framework names displayed in a user interface format.

A locked version of the T-TESS framework called T-TESS v2 has the same dimensions as the original T-TESS. If your district selects this framework, we recommend creating a new evaluation process and importing templates from the Eduphoria Community. This maintains access to historical data tied to the old framework. Learn more about Creating the Evaluation Process with the T-TESS v2 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 v2 Framework

If your district uses the locked T-TESS v2 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

  1. Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.

  2. Select Appraisee Types under Configuration Options.

  3. Select the existing T-TESS Teacher appraisee type you will no longer use.

  4. 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.

settings evaluation setup.jpg

Step 2: 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

  1. Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.

  2. Select Eduphoria Community under Configuration Options.

  3. Click the Refresh documents button (circle of green arrows) to ensure you have the most up-to-date options.

  4. Locate the templates you want to download (see template list in Step 4 of this section’s Illustrated Guide).

  5. Select Import Template to download each of the above templates.

  6. Access your downloaded templates within their respective form types under Settings > Form Management.

Illustrated Guide

Step 1: Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.

settings evaluation setup.jpg

Step 2: Select Eduphoria Community under Configuration Options.

Step 3: Click the Refresh documents button (circle of green arrows) to ensure you have the most up-to-date options.

Step 4: Locate the following templates to download:

Folder

Template Title

Reflections

** T-TESS v2 - BOY - Self-Assessment (GSPD Part I)

** T-TESS v2 - EOY - Goal Reflections (GSPD Part II)

Walkthroughs

** T-TESS v2 Domains 2-3 Walkthrough (Look Fors)

** T-TESS v2 Domains 2-3 Walkthrough (Comment Boxes)

** T-TESS v2 Domains 2-3 Walkthrough (Ratings)

** T-TESS v2 Domains 2-3 Walkthrough (Checklists & Ratings)

** T-TESS v2 Domain 1 Only Walkthrough (Language for Both)

Observations

** T-TESS v2 Pre-Obs. Conference

** T-TESS v2 Observation

** T-TESS v2 Observation (descriptors from both)

** T-TESS v2 Observation (grouped)

** T-TESS v2 Post-Obs. Conference

Summatives

** T-TESS v2 Summative

** T-TESS v2 Summative (descriptors from both)

** T-TESS v2 Summative (grouped)

Eduphoria recommends the version of the Observation and Summative with descriptors from both if you have some teachers using High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), but not all. Having the language for both in one document allows evaluators to use the same form for all and not split the data.

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.

import template.jpg

Step 6: Access your downloaded templates within their respective form types under Settings > Form Management.

form management.jpg

Creating a New T-TESS v2 Appraisal Type

Next, you’ll create a new T-TESS v2 appraisal type.

Quick Guide

  1. Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.

  2. Select Appraisee Types. Then select New Appraisee Type under Appraisee Type Options.

  3. Type “T-TESS Teacher v2” in the Appraisee Type Title box, and click Next.

  4. Click Finish to close the wizard.

Illustrated Guide

Step 1: Select Settings, and then select Evaluation Setup.

settings evaluation setup.jpg

Step 2: Select Appraisee Types. Then select New Appraisee Type under Appraisee Type Options.

Step 3: Type “T-TESS Teacher v2” in the Appraisee Type Title box, and click Next.

Step 4: Click Finish to close the wizard.

Building a T-TESS v2 Process

Focus next on building a T-TESS v2 process.

Quick Guide

  1. Select T-TESS Teacher v2 under Appraisee Types.

  2. Click the drop-down menu under Select Framework and select T-TESS v2.

  3. Set up the evaluation process by creating and modifying steps and tasks in the Evaluation Process Template.

  4. 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 v2 under Appraisee Types.

Step 2: Click the drop-down menu under Select Framework and select T-TESS v2.

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

  1. Select Update after attaching each template to its task type (see table of recommended templates in Step 1 of this section’s Illustrated Guide).

  2. Select Update after each template selection.

  3. 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 v2 - BOY - Self-Assessment (GSPD Part I)

Walkthroughs

Walkthrough

** T-TESS v2 Domains 2-3 Walkthrough (Look Fors)

** T-TESS v2 Domains 2-3 Walkthrough (Comment Boxes)

** T-TESS v2 Domains 2-3 Walkthrough (Ratings)

** T-TESS v2 Domains 2-3 Walkthrough (Checklists & Ratings)

Observation

Pre-Observation Conference

** T-TESS v2 Pre-Obs. Conference

Observation

** T-TESS v2 Observation

Post-Observation Conference

** T-TESS v2 Post-Obs. Conference

End-of-Year Conference

Goals Reflection

** T-TESS v2 - EOY - Goal Reflections (GSPD Part II)

Summative

** T-TESS v2 Summative

Step 2: Select Update after each template selection.

Step 3: Click Save after all selections are complete.

Your new T-TESS v2 process is now set up and ready to use. Appraisers must select the T-TESS v2 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.

make inactive.jpg

If the Make Inactive icon is grayed out, that means the template is currently associated with an evaluation process and cannot be made inactive.

Related articles