AASSA Teacher Performance Evaluation System
The AASSA Teacher Performance Evaluation System (TPES) is a research-based framework developed by Dr. James H. Stronge and Stronge & Associates for the Association of American Schools in South America (now AMISA - American International Schools in the Americas). Originally published in 2010 with support from the U.S. Department of State's Office of Overseas Schools, it evaluates teachers across six core performance standards using a four-level rubric to support professional growth and accountability across American international schools in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
The AASSA TPES is organized into 6 domains, 6 criteria, and a 4-level rating scale.
Used by approximately 65 member schools within the AMISA network across South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Not mandated by any US state, but reflects the same Stronge evaluation model used in districts across Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, and New Jersey.
Domains and Criteria
The AASSA TPES domains and criteria
Performance Standard 1
- Professional Knowledge
Performance Standard 2
- Instructional Planning
Performance Standard 3
- Instructional Delivery
Performance Standard 4
- Assessment of/for Learning
Performance Standard 5
- Learning Environment
Performance Standard 6
- Professionalism
Rating Levels
AASSA TPES rating levels
Giving feedback on the AASSA TPES
The slow part is the write-up
Aligning observation evidence to every AASSA TPES domain and standard by hand, for every teacher and every visit, is what eats a principal's week. Observation Copilot does that mapping for you.
How Observation Copilot Helps
AI-powered AASSA TPES feedback in seconds
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to the right AASSA TPES domains and drafts structured, rubric-aligned feedback - ready to review and share. Walkthrough notes return a focused single-indicator debrief; full lesson observations return a multi-domain rubric-aligned report.
- Maps observation notes to AASSA TPES performance standards automatically
- Generates evidence-based summaries for each performance standard
- Suggests ratings aligned to the 4-level Highly Effective-to-Ineffective scale
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific TPES indicators
- Reduces post-observation write-up time from hours to minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
AASSA TPES FAQ
- What is the AASSA TPES?
- A research-based teacher evaluation system developed by Dr. James H. Stronge for the Association of American Schools in South America (now AMISA). It evaluates teachers across 6 performance standards on a 4-level rubric.
- What are the standards of the AASSA TPES?
- The system has 6 performance standards: Professional Knowledge, Instructional Planning, Instructional Delivery, Assessment of/for Learning, Learning Environment, and Professionalism.
- What are the AASSA TPES rating levels?
- Teachers are rated on a 4-level scale: Highly Effective, Effective, Partially Effective, and Ineffective.
- What does TPES stand for?
- TPES stands for Teacher Performance Evaluation System.
Related Reading
AASSA TPES Resources for Principals
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The Post-Observation Conversation: How to Make the 15 Minutes After Feedback Count
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