1. Exploring the T-TESS Performance Levels
Please have your device out and ready to participate in our first activity!

2. Using any device, go to www.menti.com and use code 76 21 99
In one word, how does the term “proficient” make you feel?
Use the site and code listed above to enter your answer!

3. Word cloud generated through Mentimeter
Set up free account at Website offers several different “voting” options.

4. PROFICIENT
Activity option: Use thesaurus to look up word and notice how good proficient is. Note the difference between how we feel about proficient vs the definition/synonym of proficient. Likely a hang up.

5. There is very little difference between the EE column and Proficient column. PDAS was rooted in quantity not quality.

6. The T-TESS rubric was created by taking the ideas from Exceeds Expectations in PDAS and placing them in the Proficient column. Tie in to synonyms of proficient from earlier slide. The T-TESS rubric offers two additional levels to grow beyond proficient. There was quite a bit of discussion in the sessions surrounding the fact that Proficient falls in the middle of the rubric – indicating to teachers that Proficient means average.

7. Name Your Game

8. Name Your Game Directions
For your assigned dimensions
Think about what the descriptors look like and sound like in the classroom.
For each descriptor, describe a classroom where this dimension is Proficient and one where this dimension is Improvement Needed.
Dimensions
Proficient
Improvement Needed
3.1
3.2
I asked participants to read the descriptors in the Proficient column for the 3 dimensions in the Learning Environment domain and to think about what each descriptor looks like and sounds like in the classroom. Teams created charts similar to the one above with the descriptors stated in their own words.

9. Example

10. Gallery Walk Begin at a poster different than your own.
You will have 2 minutes per dimension to read the new descriptions for the Proficient level only.
Think about the big ideas from each dimension as you read.
After gallery walk, discuss big ideas from each dimension as whole group.

11. Reflection
What are you able to do or know as a result of putting the rubric into your own words and offering examples?

12. Special thanks to Syd Sexton, Region 17 ESC, for the use of her idea and for her assistance!