During the Assessment 

The Lead Assessor will lead the entrance meeting with the director – refer to the Assessor protocol in the Texas Rising Star Staff handbook. Ask the Director to help you to find out where classrooms are located. The Assessor will also ask for a quiet space to review any documentation to continue scoring category 1 & 3 and inform the director that each Assessor will need a quiet space to review the data collected during each classroom observation.   

A TECPDS Report event log will be created by clicking the ‘Create TECPDS report' button. This report will be used to score measures related to Category 1 for the director and applicable staff (if documents are not included in this report, the Assessor can review hard copies to be used as evidence for scoring category 1 measures)   

Assessors assigned to conduct classroom observations will go to the assigned classroom to begin the observation. Assessors will Introduce themselves to the teacher(s) and explain the purpose of the visit.  Assessors will conduct each classroom observation for one consecutive hour, taking notes on the note-taking form.    

Assessors will move around the classroom to ensure they can capture (hear and see) interactions between teacher and children.    

The indoor and outdoor environment can be observed during the additional 30 minutes of clean-up. This time can also be used to interview the teacher for any clarifying questions.   

After each classroom observation, the Assessor will review the evidence collected and assign a score to each measure, referring to the technical scoring manual and the evidence from the note-taking form to assist with determining the appropriate score. Once a score is assigned to the measures at the end of the scoring period, the score is considered final.   

If the last classroom observation is conducted at the end of the workday, it will be scored within the week of the assessment and as soon as possible to ensure reliability and accuracy.  With the goal to have scores entered no later than 5 business days from the assessment. If the data entry is delayed, Assessors must communicate with the Lead Assessor. 

The Assessor will enter classroom scores in Engage for each classroom observed during the site's nap time, considering that during this time, observations typically are not conducted. This task can be done off site. If additional time is needed, the scores will be entered on the following available day or Friday during the morning. In addition to scores being entered in Engage, the Assessor is required to enter notes based on the evidence collected during the classroom observation. Data entry for the assessment should occur within five business days of the visit, if not sooner, depending on the date; some visits may have rates that will go into effect sooner than five business days. The assessment scores are entered in Engage under the Texas Rising Star Assessment 2.0 tab for each school assessed (select recertification). The Lead Assessor will Begin the assessment in Engage and enter scores for category 1 and 3 and category 2 and 4 if classroom assessment was conducted. Other assigned Assessors will enter scores in Engage for category 2 and 4 for each classroom observed.   Assessors assigned to assess the same school should regularly notify the Lead Assessor when they have finished entering the classroom scores in Engage.  

At the end of the assessment, the Lead Assessor will conduct the exit meeting (follow the protocol in the Texas Rising Star Staff Handbook) with the Director. During this time, alert the director that you plan to share the Assessment report via email within the next 7 business days (5 business days to enter scores and two days to share results) The Lead Assessor will schedule a debrief meeting to go over assessment results with the program’s assigned Mentor. In turn, the Mentor will go over results with the director.  

Assessors will notify the Lead Assessor before leaving the ELP. Those who are still at the site by the time the exit meeting is going to be conducted, will depart the school at the same time (the Lead Assessor will ensure no Assessors are still observing classrooms before conducting the exit meeting with the Director).  

 Assessors will use the assessment checklist to ensure all pre-assessment, assessment and post-assessment tasks are completed – Assessment checklist is included in this manual.