Tennessee DOE outlines evaluation flexibility, deadlines and LEA contact requirements

A Tennessee Department of Education staff member told local education agency contacts that the department’s evaluation flexibility survey will open in TNCompass in May and close in June and that districts and charter schools must enter their evaluation options and have them signed by their superintendent.

The information matters because the choices determine which evaluation models, observation pacing rules and growth measures will apply for the coming school year. The presenter emphasized timelines and the limited flexibility available to districts versus charters.

The presenter said districts and charters may choose among state‑board‑approved observation models and growth measures for non‑tested teachers. Districts must implement the TEAM model or another state board‑approved model; charter schools may use any approved model or a charter‑specific, state board‑approved model. District pacing for observations may be set using either the prior year’s level of effectiveness (LOE) or the prior year’s individual growth score where available. “You must have your options put in by June,” the presenter said.

For non‑tested teacher groups (pre‑K through second grade and other non‑tested areas), each teacher must have at least one alternative growth measure (AGM): either a student growth portfolio or a state board‑approved universal reading screener. The presenter noted that for districts or charters receiving voluntary pre‑K funding for the 2025–26 school year, Tennessee Code Annotated requires implementation of either a student growth portfolio or a universal reading screener in pre‑K and kindergarten.

The presenter described how using an AGM produces an individual growth score that can change how a teacher’s overall level of effectiveness (LOE) is calculated. If a teacher’s averaged components would produce a higher LOE than the individual growth score, the chosen rule (sometimes called the “4/5 rule” in the presentation) can result in the individual growth score determining the LOE. The presenter gave the example that a teacher whose averaged components equal a 5 but whose individual growth score is a 4 would have an LOE of 4 if the district selects to use the individual growth score.

Pre‑K classrooms may opt to use the CLASS observation tool if the district implements TEAM and selects CLASS for pre‑K only; observer certification information is available through the department contact listed in the guidance. The presenter also said districts may elect to use student surveys as 5% of a teacher’s overall effectiveness, with that 5% deducted from the observation score; currently approved surveys listed included the Tennessee School Climate Survey, Tripod, My Student Survey and Panorama.

On administrator evaluations, the presenter said local agencies may either enter one summative score per indicator based on multiple observations across the year or enter two scores (fall and spring) weighted one‑third and two‑thirds, respectively. The presenter encouraged LEAs to discuss options with decision‑makers before the survey opens and said that although staff may save selections, the superintendent must log in to TNCompass to sign the options.

The department will hold scheduled office hours in May and June to walk LEA contacts through end‑of‑year actions, evaluation configuration in TNCompass and questions about portfolio and screener implementation. The presenter noted that LEA contact submissions will again be collected and that most contact categories allow up to two designated people except for the director of schools or CMO lead, where only one designee is permitted.

Participants asked for clarification about how second grade and K–2 schools can generate individual growth scores. The presenter confirmed second grade assessments do not automatically create individual teacher growth scores and that for a teacher in those grades to receive an individual growth score comparable to a TCAP teacher, the district must implement either a growth portfolio or the approved universal reading screener for that teacher group.

The session closed with the presenter reminding attendees of the survey timeline and supports on the department website.