(a) Each teacher shall be appraised on the following domains and dimensions of the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) rubric that is aligned to the Texas Teacher Standards in Chapter 149 of this title (relating to Commissioner's Rules Concerning Educator Standards).
  (1) Domain I. Planning or Alternate Domain I. Lesson Internalization, which includes the following dimensions:
    (A) standards and alignment;
    (B) data and assessment;
    (C) knowledge of students; and
    (D) activities.
  (2) Domain II. Instruction, which includes the following dimensions:
    (A) achieving expectations;
    (B) content knowledge and expertise;
    (C) communication;
    (D) differentiation; and
    (E) monitor and adjust.
  (3) Domain III. Learning Environment, which includes the following dimensions:
    (A) classroom environment, routines, and procedures;
    (B) managing student behavior; and
    (C) classroom culture.
  (4) Domain IV. Professional Practices and Responsibilities, which includes the following dimensions:
    (A) professional demeanor and ethics;
    (B) goal setting;
    (C) professional development; and
    (D) school community involvement.
(b) The evaluation of each of the dimensions identified in subsection (a) of this section shall consider all data generated in the appraisal process. The data for the appraisal of each dimension shall be gathered from pre-conferences, observations, post-conferences, end-of-year conferences, the Goal-Setting and Professional Development Plan process, and other documented sources.
(c) Each teacher shall be evaluated on the 16 dimensions in Domain I or Alternate Domain I and Domains II-IV identified in subsection (a) of this section using the following categories:
  (1) distinguished;
  (2) accomplished;
  (3) proficient;
  (4) developing; and
  (5) improvement needed.
(d) Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, each teacher appraisal shall include the performance of teachers' students, as defined in §150.1001(f)(2) of this title (relating to General Provisions).
(e) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, teachers may be appraised using Domain I or Alternate Domain I based on the alignment of teacher responsibilities to lesson planning or lesson internalization.
(f) If calculating a single overall summative appraisal score for teachers, the performance of teachers' students, as defined in §150.1001(f)(2) of this title, shall count for at least 20% of a teacher's summative score.
(g) Each teacher shall be evaluated on the performance of teachers' students using one of the terms from the following categories:
  (1) distinguished or well above expectations;
  (2) accomplished or above expectations;
  (3) proficient or at expectations;
  (4) developing or below expectations; or
  (5) improvement needed or well below expectations.

Source Note: The provisions of this §150.1002 adopted to be effective July 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 2957; amended to be effective February 6, 2024, 49 TexReg 543