To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) Correspondence
The purpose of this communication is to provide school systems with an update on T-TESS 2 and to request completion of a brief T-TESS 2 Implementation Survey. The information collected will help Education Service Centers (ESCs) plan training, certification, and implementation support for the statewide rollout of T-TESS 2 over the next two years.
Depending on local context, school systems are encouraged to plan for implementation in the 2027–28 school year. Early planning will allow school system leaders to coordinate local decision-making, identify appraisers who will need T-TESS 2 certification, and access regional support before implementation.
Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) is the commissioner recommended teacher appraisal system, adopted in accordance with Texas Education Code §21.351. T-TESS initially launched in 2015 and is currently used by 89% of Texas public school systems. Following the 2025 revision of the Texas educator standards, T-TESS needed to be updated to maintain alignment between the state’s educator standards and the statewide appraisal system. Over the past two years, TEA has worked with educators, school leaders, ESC partners, and stakeholder groups across Texas to update T-TESS. The resulting system, T-TESS 2, aligns appraisal expectations with the updated educator standards while incorporating teacher feedback and strengthening consistency across appraisers.
The 2026–27 school year serves as a critical transition year as TEA pilots T-TESS 2, refines training and implementation supports, and partners with ESCs to prepare for statewide adoption. School systems planning to implement T-TESS 2 during the 2027–28 school year will have the greatest opportunity to take advantage of available training and support.
A full version of the pilot rubric, along with supporting materials, is available on the T-TESS website. Note: The pilot rubric continues to be refined based on feedback and learnings from pilot districts.
During the 2026–27 school year, 15 school systems are piloting T-TESS 2. The pilot is examining whether the updated rubric, training, resources, and system clearly define effective teaching, work effectively in practice, support consistent calibration, and align with school system priorities and related state initiatives. As part of this work, pilot districts participated in an updated training model consisting of an asynchronous course, one-day in-person training, and a certification exam to gauge how foundational learning can be delivered efficiently while preserving time for application, practice, and calibration during the in-person training.
Early training and rubric feedback has been positive. 96% of appraisers and 86% of teachers agree that the rubric language is clear and understandable. One teacher shared: “T-TESS 2 is well organized and easier to understand than before.”
Appraisers reported that the certification training provided a useful foundation for T-TESS 2. Pilot feedback also identified the importance of continued practice and calibration, which will inform training and implementation supports for statewide rollout. Based on feedback from T-TESS 2 pilot appraisers, TEA anticipates that certification training will consist of an asynchronous course followed by a required two-day, in-person training designed to support application, practice, and calibration.
The proposed T-TESS 2 model streamlines training while maintaining appraiser certification requirements and may be adjusted prior to implementation.
| Current T-TESS Appraiser Requirements | Proposed T-TESS 2 Appraiser Requirements |
|---|---|
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| Total: 6 training days + certification exam | Total: 3-4 hours asynchronous training + 2 training days + certification exam |
TEA will offer monthly virtual information sessions from December 2026 through March 2027. These sessions will give school system leaders an opportunity to hear timely updates, learn more about implementation planning and available support, and ask questions as the statewide rollout approaches.
| Date | Time | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | 9:00-9:45 a.m. | Register |
| Wednesday, January 13, 2027 | 9:00-9:45 a.m. | Register |
| Wednesday, February 10, 2027 | 9:00-9:45 a.m. | Register |
| Wednesday, March 3, 2027 | 9:00-9:45 a.m. | Register |
With the statewide rollout of T-TESS 2 beginning in the 2027-28 school year, TEA asks that each school system complete the 5-minute T-TESS 2 Implementation Survey by December 10, 2026, so we can assess your school system’s current plans for T-TESS 2 adoption. Your survey response does not serve as a final commitment, but will help your ESC plan for training, certification, and implementation support your school system may need. T-TESS 2 certification for administrators and appraisers who are currently certified in T-TESS will be available at no cost to school systems during statewide rollout.