The list below is a quick reference of the steps that occur when assessing an ELP for Texas Rising Star certification. Each of these steps are outlined in the applicable linked topic provided.
Review submitted documents: review the required documents submitted within the Pre-Assessment tab and any additional documents prior to determining if the ELP is ready for assessment. This includes completing a screening form review. The best practice is to request for structural and document items to be turned in before the assessment visit to ensure the ELP is meeting structural requirements. Additionally, requesting the daily schedules for each classroom before the visit can aid in planning the assessment visit. The assessor should plan the day so that the one-hour continuous classroom observations take place during instructional time and over a variety of contexts, such as mealtime, large group, centers, and small group learning. The assessor will want to ensure that the outdoor environment can be observed as well.
Confirmation: Provide written confirmation to the ELP regarding the receipt of submitted documents and if any information is still needed prior to providing the two-week window. Once all the information is received, contact the ELP with their two-week window.
Pre-Assessment Check In: Contact the ELP prior to the assessment to provide any critical information (i.e., how many assessors will join or how many days the assessment may occur) and to confirm the ELP has not incurred any situations that may impact the assessment being able to occur (i.e., staff out sick or unforeseen closures)
Assessment: Complete the assessment, ensuring to score all classrooms within 24 hours of the assessment. Best practice is to score the assessment immediately following the observations.
Data Entry: Input scores into Engage within five business days of the assessment. The best practice is to place objective notes in the comment sections on Engage. Take note of when the assessment is complete and when the effective date would be to ensure timely TWIST effective dates.
Share Score: Meet with the mentor to discuss the assessment results, to include discussion of any questions or concerns that arose during the assessment. Then notify the ELP via email with the assessment results.
Attend the Assessment Results Meeting: If available, attend the assessment results meeting to explain any scoring questions that may arise.
Quarterly Screenings: Once the assessment is complete, each quarter (every third month) complete a quarterly screening for the ELP and denote any impacts as applicable.
Annual Monitoring Visit: Within 12 months of the assessment, conduct the Annual Monitoring Visit.