Research shows that there is a substantial amount of common content across the different approaches. Almost all of the systems we reviewed have substantial content related to the following teaching competencies: instructional planning, classroom management, interactions with others (staff, parents), and professionalism.
There is general consensus in the research that teaching competencies can be grouped into three main categories:
Research indicates that excellent teaching consists of a number of competencies related to content expertise, instructional design, and instructional delivery, as well as interpersonal traits such as helpfulness, friendliness, and open mindedness.
Our Teachers Competency Assessment (TCA) model, is about much more than creating a rating – it is about giving teachers opportunities to improve through specific and ongoing feedback.
Descriptors: Performance descriptors are observable and measurable statements of teacher actions and behaviors aligned to each element and serve as the basis for identifying the level of teaching or administrative performance in one of four categories: Low level, Fair level, Satisfactory level and High level.
The TCA competency model specifies key performance domains, and within each domain are the specific behaviour indicators. The competency model is organised around the following eight domains covering all aspects of a teacher’s job performance:
These competencies are the basis for making actual assessments of teacher performance. The assessments will yield information of suggested areas for improvement.
Each of the above domains has a number of indicators. Indicators are observable and measurable statements that provide evidence of the application of knowledge and skills in practice. These may be visible during individual lessons or over the course of the year. In turn, the information can be used as an input to an individual professional development plan (IPDP).
The elements are more specific descriptions of actions and behaviors related to each Indicator. The elements further break down the Indicators into more specific aspects of educator practice and provide an opportunity for evaluators to offer detailed feedback that serves as a roadmap for improvement.
The TCA model identifies what each indicator looks like in practice at four levels of Performance Standard Index (PSI) with each performance level populated with a percentage range as shown below.
Competency Level | Labels for the Index | Description |
87.51 – 100 | Expert | Teacher has almost all the competencies for effective teaching at high level. These are the identified strengths. Strengths have to be sustained and enhanced; however professional development needs have to be continuously address. |
62.51 – 87.50 | Effective | Teacher has majority of the competencies at high level for effective teaching. Strengths have to be enhanced. Training and professional development needs have to be addressed. |
37.51 – 62.50 | Developing | Teacher has average of all the competencies at high level for effective teaching. These strengths have to be enhanced; however, training needs have to be addressed as priority. |
25.00 – 37.50 | Beginning | Teacher has very few of the competencies at high level for effective teaching. Training needs have to be given priority and addressed urgently. |
Teachers and other staff at the school should clearly understand the meaning of these ratings. And they should discuss, with their peers, supervisors and principals, if there is a need to clarify what is expected of them at the school.
The teacher competencies may be used in several ways.
The teacher competency Assessment will be useful to many different groups within an educational system, including:
Teachers must document the IPDP and share them with their administrator. By completing the IPDP at the start of the year, teachers and administrators. The IPDP or will serve as a reference document for, discussions and professional development throughout the year.
To learn more about Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) click the following button:
To take the Teacher Competency Assessment. (for registered Expert Teachers only) Click the following button