TITLE education

Part II. Texas Education Agency

Chapter 150. Commissioner's Rules Concerning Educator Appraisal

Subchapter AA. Teacher Appraisal

19 TAC §150.1003

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) proposes an amendment to §150.1003, concerning educator appraisal. The section establishes requirements and procedures related to appraisal of teachers. Legislation enacted in 1995 required the commissioner of education to adopt a recommended appraisal process and criteria on which to appraise the performance of teachers.

The proposed amendment adds language to 19 TAC §150.1003(b) and (d) to clarify timelines related to the completion of the teacher self-report form and the teacher appraisal calendar. The need for these clarifications is based on feedback from principals' and teachers' evaluation of the initial year of implementation of the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS). Feedback indicated that schedules for the completion of the PDAS orientation for teachers and the completion of the teacher self-report by teachers were unclear.

Felipe Alanis, deputy commissioner for programs and instruction, has determined that for the first five-year period the section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. Alanis and Criss Cloudt, associate commissioner for policy planning and research, have determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be enhancement of the professional practice of teachers, providing students with increased levels of teaching performance and resulting in increased levels of student achievement. There will not be an effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed section.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted in writing to Criss Cloudt, Policy Planning and Research, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 463-9701. Comments may also be submitted electronically to rules@tmail.tea.state.tx.us or faxed to (512) 475-3499. All requests for a public hearing on the proposed section submitted under the Administrative Procedure Act must be received by the commissioner of education not more than 15 calendar days after notice of a proposed change in the section has been published in the Texas Register .

The amendment is proposed under the Texas Education Code, §§21.351-21.356, which authorizes the commissioner of education to adopt a recommended appraisal process and criteria on which to appraise the performance of teachers.

The proposed amendment implements the Texas Education Code, §§21.351-21.356.

§150.1003.Appraisals, Data Sources, and Conferences.

(a)

(No change.)

(b)

The annual teacher appraisal shall include:

(1) - (2)

(No change.)

(3)

completion of Section I of the Teacher Self-Report Form that shall be presented to the principal :

(A)

within the first three weeks from the day of completion of [ after ] the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS) orientation as described in §150.1007 of this title (relating to Teacher Orientation);

(B)

within the first three weeks from the day of completion of the PDAS orientation as described in §150.1007 of this title for teachers new to the PDAS; or

(C)

within the first three weeks of instruction in the school years when the PDAS orientation is not required pursuant to §150.1007 of this title.

(4) - (7)

(No change.)

(c)

(No change.)

(d)

Each school district shall establish a calendar for the appraisal of teachers. The appraisal period for each teacher must include all of the days of a teacher's contract. Observations during the appraisal period must be conducted during the required days of instruction for students during one school year. The appraisal calendar shall [ period ]:

(1)

exclude observations in the three weeks following the day of completion of the PDAS orientation in the school years when an orientation is required as described in §150.1007 of this title;

[ (1)

shall exclude the first two weeks of instruction; ]

(2)

exclude observations in the three weeks following the day of completion of the PDAS orientation for teachers new to the PDAS as described in §150.1007 of this title;

(3)

exclude observations in the first three weeks of instruction in the school years when the PDAS orientation is not required pursuant to §150.1007 of this title;

(4)

[ (2) ] [ shall ] prohibit observations on the last day of instruction before any official school holiday or on any other day deemed inappropriate by the school district board of trustees; and

(5)

[ (3) ] [ shall ] indicate a period for summative annual conferences that ends no later than 15 working days before the last day of instruction for students.

(e)-(k)

(No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on January 25, 1999.

TRD-9900504

Criss Cloudt

Associate Commissioner, Policy Planning and Research

Texas Education Agency

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 7, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 463-9701