TKES TAP Performance Standard 8: Academically Challenging Environment

TKES TAPS Performance Standards

As part of the Race to the Top Initiative (RT3), Georgia, in collaboration with RT3 Districts, educational partners, and the Evaluation Task Force Committee, developed a new effectiveness system for teacher evaluation and professional growth.  It was piloted in 2012 and currently has been launched.

The TAPS consists of five domains and ten standards.  Standard eight, Academically Challenging Environments, characterizes the teacher created a student-centered, academic environment in which teaching and learning occur at high levels and students are self directed learners.  An example, the teacher conveys the message that mistakes should be embraced as a valuable part of learning.  Other wise known in twitter circles, as growth mindsets.  Growth mindsets teach students to persevere through a problem.  These statements are helpful for parents, too.  Thank you, @Primary_Ed for the awesome presentation of self statements.

Larry Ferlazzo's Blog, Websites of the Day, contains movie clips featuring Growth Mindsets.  What relief a student might gain from watching characters find their struggles and failures are okay and of value to the finished product.

We as teachers offer more than education, we offer hope to struggling learners.