TSR Comprehensive Program Components

TSR Comprehensive provides data-driven coaching tightly connected with our professional development content. Our coaching support aims to help educators improve their practice using targeted tools and methods to meet their needs in the classroom.

The Coaching Cycle

TSR coaching sessions follow the Coaching Cycle, which is based on the cycle of continuous improvement. Through this cycle, coaches help teachers make sense of their data, use data to improve teaching practices, and set specific goals. Coaches then help teachers meet these goals and reflect on their own progress.

Coaching Sessions

TSR coaches are trained to support aligning and implementing effective practices across all coaching contexts. This competency-based framework supports quality improvement by helping coaches scaffold teachers’ instruction and practices. There are six categories of competency: characteristics of effective specialists, observation, providing feedback, fostering reflective thinking, demonstration and cues, and supporting continuous improvement.

Each TSR coaching session matches coaching strategies with teacher needs. Coaching strategies include side-by-side coaching, co-teaching, modeling, proactive coaching, instructional planning, and video reflection. Each coaching session also consists of a one-on-one reflection session between the teacher and coach to reflect on teaching practices and set goals for improvement.

The number of coaching sessions a teacher receives is based on their year of TSR participation.

• Year 1 Teachers:14 Sessions (2 hrs. each/28 total)
• Year 2 Teachers: 10 Sessions (2 hrs. each/20 total)
• Year 3 Teachers: 8 Sessions (1.5 hrs. each/12 total)
• Pre-Year 1 Teachers: 5 Sessions (2 hrs. each/10 total)

Coaching Tools

TSR coaches use coaching tools to document and track teachers’ progress during the year and guide the teacher in meeting identified goals. The Circle Classroom Environment Checklist (CEC) is used to evaluate and improve the classroom environment. The CEC is conducted three times a year (BOY, MOY, and EOY) in TSR classrooms. Coaches use the Continuous Quality Improvement Tool to help teachers continuously improve the quality of their practice. TSR coaches use this tool to conduct observations, assign goals, write action plans, and document progress over time.

TSR coaches also use the following tools when working with teachers:

• Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
• Infant, Toddler, and Three-Year-Old Early Learning Guidelines
• Circle Pre-K Curriculum
• Circle Infant and Toddler Curriculum
• Circle Activity Collection

Infant and toddler teachers receive high-quality professional development as part of their TSR participation. Teachers complete independent coursework to learn foundational concepts, watch videos, and explore domain-specific content as part of this ongoing professional development. Then, they attend a virtual training session facilitated by a TSR coach for a deeper dive into the content. This deeper dive helps build their understanding of the course content and allows them to engage with peers through discussion and application. Infant and toddler professional development courses are based on the Texas Core Competencies and the Infant and Toddler Early Learning Guidelines.

Understanding Terms

Self-instructional (SI) training is when teachers complete independent coursework prior to attending facilitated training with a coach to learn foundational content knowledge. Facilitated by Coach (F) trainings are when teachers attend a virtual training session facilitated by a TSR coach for a deeper dive into the content to build their understanding and engage with peers.

Pre-K teachers receive high-quality professional development as part of their TSR participation. Teachers complete independent coursework to learn foundational concepts, watch videos, and explore domain-specific content as part of this ongoing professional development. Then, they attend a virtual training session facilitated by a TSR coach for a deeper dive into the content. This deeper dive helps build their understanding of the course content and allows them to engage with peers through discussion and application. Infant and toddler professional development courses are based on the Texas Core Competencies and the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines.

Understanding Terms

Self-instructional (SI) training is when teachers complete independent coursework before attending facilitated training with a coach to learn foundational content knowledge. Facilitated by Coach (F) trainings are when teachers attend a virtual training session facilitated by a TSR coach for a deeper dive into the content to build their understanding and engage with peers.

TSR classrooms that do not already have a state-adopted curriculum may be eligible for the Circle Pre-K or Circle Infant and Toddler Curriculum at no additional cost to the program. Materials are based on a needs assessment and available funds for the current school year. The online version of the curriculum is available to all participating TSR schools and classrooms free of charge in both English and Spanish. High-quality curriculum implementation is essential for TSR Coaches working with participating teachers.

• The Circle Pre-K Curriculum provides resources to support the planning and delivery of high-quality prekindergarten instruction. It is aligned with the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
• The Circle Infant and Toddler Curriculum provides resources to create and support meaningful interactions and playful learning experiences for infants and toddlers. It is aligned with the Texas Infant and Toddler Early Learning Guidelines, Texas Rising Star standards, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.

TSR teachers use formal and informal assessments to track students’ progress. Assessments are completed at three specific time points during the year: beginning-of-year (BOY), middle-of-year (MOY), and end-of-year (EOY). TSR coaches then help teachers use the assessment data to drive instruction in the classroom.

In late fall of 2023, the TSR-Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) was established through CLI in partnership with TWC and TEA to ensure infant-toddler and preschool teachers in Texas are recognized and incentivized for their growing mastery of skills implemented in the classroom.

A supplemental two-year online program layered within the TSR framework, TSR-RAP aims to provide teachers access to higher education, credentialing, and career pathway opportunities, allowing them to be recognized for their professional advancements while responding to their communities’ need for quality education in at-risk classrooms across the state.

A pilot project and the first apprenticeship program in Texas, TSR-RAP is initially offered and implemented within three target local communities:

• Amarillo
• Lower Rio Grande Valley
• Houston

Created to provide rigor and consistency, the TSR-RAP recognizes and addresses the community’s needs and provides a sustainable program that can be replicated for future growth in more classrooms serving at-risk children across Texas.

By leveraging the TSR Comprehensive model, TSR-RAP is focused on helping teachers earn their Child Development Associate® or CDA® Credential™ and partnering with institutions of higher education (IHEs) for college credits and other academic incentives.

Apprentices will receive wage increases for milestones earned during the two-year apprenticeship program and robust support and resources for professional development, including coaching and monitoring from site directors, TSR mentors, and TSR-RAP specialists.

TSR-RAP will also support host sites (ECE programs) committed to providing aid and benefits to apprentices.

By integrating the program into your system, you are making a significant difference in the lives of thousands of at-risk children in your communities and the professional growth of teachers committed to empowering them to have a better and brighter future.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TSR-RAP