The Texas Education Agency's (TEA) approved instrument for evaluating teachers, the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS), was the primary instrument used by 86 percent of local education agencies (LEAs) in the state and has been in place since 1997. In acknowledging the vital roles teachers play in student achievement, and based on feedback from the field, TEA has revisited the state's approved instrument for evaluating teachers. During the spring of 2014 an evaluation system tied to the teaching standards was designed to be used for continuous professional growth, while de-stigmatizing the observation process, moving the mindset away from compliance and toward feedback and support. The state recommended teacher evaluation system encourages annual evaluations comprising multiple informal observations and walk-throughs, and at least a single formal observation. During the three-day face-to-face appraiser training on the state teacher evaluation system, participants will discuss best practices for fostering open, collaborative campus cultures where feedback and instructional growth are embedded into the school calendar, where dialogue between teachers and campus leaders allow for both groups to further develop insight into good instructional practices, and where teacher leaders play a role in informal observations and collaborative professional development. TEA will work with the 20 regional service centers to offer assistance and support to districts that lack the personnel capacity to implement the Texas Teacher Evaluation & Support System (T-TESS). Administrators, teacher leaders, and district personnel are eligible to serve as qualified appraisers. All designated appraisers must participate in required certification training and demonstrate proficiency in the observation process by successfully completing an online certification test through the Teach for Texas portal, including subsequent certifications to remain current. This handbook for appraisers is divided into the following topic areas: (1) Background; (2) Overview of the Four Domains of the T-TESS Rubric; (3) Planning Instruction; (4) Planning (Standards and Alignment, Data and Assessment, Knowledge of Students, and Activities); (5) Instruction (Achieving Expectations, Content Knowledge and Expertise, Communication, Differentiation, and Monitor and Adjust); (6) Learning Environment (Classroom Environment, Routines and Procedures, Managing Student Behavior, and Classroom Culture); (7) Professional Practices and Responsibilities (Professional Demeanor and Ethics, Goal Setting, Professional Development, and School Community Involvement); (8) Hints for Capturing Evidence; (9) Pre-Conferences; (10) Post-Conference Plan; (11) T-TESS Annual Appraisal Process Timeline; (12) Chapter 149: Commissioner's Rules Concerning Educator Standards; (13) Chapter 150: Commissioner's Rules Concerning Educator Appraisal; (14) Conference Sample Questions; (15) Observation Pacing Guide for Your School; (16) Goal Setting and Professional Development (and the Cycle of Continuous Improvement); (17) End-of-Year Conferences; (18) Directions for the Online Certification Assessment process; and (19) Test Taking Notes and Tips.