Section 0520-02-01-.15 - OBSERVATION MODELS(1) Each LEA shall use the Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM) or an alternative observation model approved by the State Board and listed in State Board Policy 5.201.(2) School administrators shall be observed using an approved observation model based on the Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards (TILS) contained in State Board Policy 5.106.(3) LEAs and charter schools may use a State Board-approved student survey instrument weighted in accordance with the approved observation model.(4) In lieu of the TEAM model, LEAs may select an alternate observation model from a State Board-approved list. Public charter schools or charter management organizations, if applicable, may select the state observation model, an alternate observation model approved by the State Board for LEAs, or a charter school alternate observation model from a State Board-approved list.(5) LEAs and charter schools may submit an alternate observation model to the Department for review and recommendation to the State Board. All proposed alternate observation models shall, at a minimum:(a) Be research-based, effectively differentiate teacher performance, and meet all legal requirements regarding evaluation;(b) Differentiate educator performance into five (5) performance levels. The use of a conversion plan to convert scores on a different scale to a five (5)-level scale is permitted, if the conversion plan is approved by the State Board;(c) Include a plan for observation data to be submitted into the state evaluation data system on an annual basis in compliance with timelines determined by the Department;(d) Require yearly certification of all evaluators;(e) Include a formal feedback component; and(f) Include at least the same number of observations as required by the TEAM model.(6) LEAs may propose to pilot an alternate observation model to the Department via the following process:(a) A formal request to pilot a new alternate observation model shall be submitted to the Department by January 15 of the year prior to implementation of the pilot.(b) The request to pilot shall, at a minimum, include the proposed observation rubric, documentation that the proposed model meets the minimum requirements for alternate observation models as outlined in paragraph (6) of this rule, the research base for the particular model, and the numbers of teachers and schools to be involved in the pilot. 1. The Department shall review the proposed pilot and the Commissioner or Commissioner's designee shall approve or deny the proposed pilot.2. If approved, data regarding the outcome of the pilot shall be submitted to the Department no later than July 1 following the piloted school year.3. The Department shall review the data from the proposed observation model pilot and shall recommend approval or denial of the alternate observation model to the State Board.(7) Charter schools or charter management organizations, if applicable, may propose an alternate observation model via the following process:(a) A proposal shall be submitted to the Department by January 15 of the year prior to implementation.(b) Each proposal shall include the proposed observation rubric, evidence that the proposed model meets the minimum requirements for alternate observation models as outlined in paragraph (6) of this rule, and the research base for the particular model.(c) The Department shall review the proposed model and shall recommend to the State Board either approval or denial of the model.(8) LEAs using an approved alternate observation model shall submit the following documents to the Department by June 1 each year:(a) Documents noting any proposed changes to the evaluation model for the following school year; and(b) An annual plan for ensuring all evaluators are certified.(9) The approved evaluation model for non-public school teachers shall be the state's evaluation framework used by all schools prior to 2011-12 school year.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-02-01-.15
Original rule filed December 4, 2020; effective 3/4/2021.Authority: T.C.A. § 49-1-302.