Georgia Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES)
Georgia's statewide teacher evaluation framework built around the Teacher Assessment on Performance Standards (TAPS). Organized into 5 domains, 10 performance standards, and multiple indicators, with a four-level performance continuum (Level I through Level IV, where Level III is the expected standard).
The TKES is organized into 10 domains, 10 criteria, and a 4-level rating scale.
Used statewide in Georgia across all 180 school districts.
Domains and Criteria
The TKES domains and criteria
Performance Standard 1
The teacher demonstrates an understanding of the curriculum, subject content, pedagogical knowledge, and the needs of students by providing relevant learning experiences.
- Professional Knowledge
Performance Standard 2
The teacher plans using state and local school district curricula and standards, effective strategies, resources, and data to address the differentiated needs of all students.
- Instructional Planning
Performance Standard 3
The teacher promotes student learning by using research-based instructional strategies relevant to the content to engage students in active learning and to facilitate the students' acquisition of key knowledge and skills.
- Instructional Strategies
Performance Standard 4
The teacher challenges and supports each student's learning by providing appropriate content and developing skills which address individual learning differences.
- Differentiated Instruction
Performance Standard 5
The teacher systematically chooses a variety of diagnostic, formative, and summative assessment strategies and instruments that are valid and appropriate for the content and student population.
- Assessment Strategies
Performance Standard 6
The teacher systematically gathers, analyzes, and uses relevant data to measure student progress, to inform instructional content and delivery methods, and to provide timely and constructive feedback to both students and parents.
- Assessment Uses
Performance Standard 7
The teacher provides a well-managed, safe, and orderly environment that is conducive to learning and encourages respect for all.
- Positive Learning Environment
Performance Standard 8
The teacher creates a student-centered, academic environment in which teaching and learning occur at high levels and students are self-directed learners.
- Academically Challenging Environment
Performance Standard 9
The teacher exhibits a commitment to professional ethics and the school's mission, participates in professional growth opportunities to support student learning, and contributes to the profession.
- Professionalism
Performance Standard 10
The teacher communicates effectively with students, parents or guardians, district and school personnel, and other stakeholders in ways that enhance student learning.
- Communication
Rating Levels
TKES rating levels
Level IV (Exemplary)
In addition to meeting the requirements for Level III (Proficient), the teacher continually seeks to serve as a role model or teacher leader. Level IV ratings require meeting all requirements for Level III.
Level III (Proficient)
Level III is the expected level of performance. The description provided for Level III of the Performance Appraisal Rubric is the actual performance standard.
Level II (Needs Development)
A Remediation Plan shall be required if a teacher earns a Level I or Level II on the TAPS Summative Performance Evaluation.
Level I (Ineffective)
Level I ratings = 0 points toward the TAPS summative score. A Remediation Plan is required for Level I ratings.
Source
Official TKES source
Source: Georgia Department of Education, 2025-2026 TKES Implementation Handbook (2025-2026). Verified 2026-06-01. View the official rubric
Rubric facts verified 2026-06-01 against the official source.
Giving feedback on the TKES
The slow part is the write-up
Aligning observation evidence to every TKES 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 TKES feedback in seconds
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to the right TKES 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 the five TAPS domains and ten performance standards
- Generates evidence-based feedback organized by TKES performance levels
- Suggests ratings on the four-level continuum based on observed evidence
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific TAPS standards
- Reduces post-observation write-up time for Georgia principals
Frequently Asked Questions
TKES FAQ
- What is the TKES/TAPS?
- Georgia's statewide teacher evaluation rubric, used within the Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES) to assess all ten TAPS performance standards on a four-level scale (Level IV/III/II/I, equivalent to Exemplary/Proficient/Needs Development/Ineffective).
- What are the domains of the TKES/TAPS?
- The TKES/TAPS is organized into 10 domains: Performance Standard 1, Performance Standard 2, Performance Standard 3, Performance Standard 4, Performance Standard 5, Performance Standard 6, Performance Standard 7, Performance Standard 8, Performance Standard 9, and Performance Standard 10.
- How is the TKES/TAPS scored?
- Performance is rated on a 4-level scale: Level 4, Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1.
- What does TKES/TAPS stand for?
- TKES/TAPS stands for Georgia Teacher Keys Effectiveness System - Teacher Assessment on Performance Standards.
- Which version of TKES is current?
- The current version is the 2025-2026 TKES Implementation Handbook from the Georgia Department of Education, verified against the official source on June 1, 2026.
Used In
States Using TKES
Related Reading
TKES Resources for Principals
50 Teacher Observation Feedback Examples (Organized by Framework Domain)
50 specific teacher observation feedback examples organized by framework domain, each tied to evidence and a next step principals can use.
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FFT, T-TESS, Marzano, or Your Own: How Observation Copilot Aligns to Any Framework
Whether you use Danielson FFT, T-TESS, Marzano, or a custom rubric, Observation Copilot aligns feedback to your framework.
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Walkthroughs vs. Formal Observations: When Each One Helps and When It Hurts
Walkthroughs and formal observations serve different purposes. Here's how principals balance both in a coaching cycle that actually grows teachers.
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Writing Better Observation Notes: Tips for Getting the Most Out of AI-Powered Feedback
AI-generated feedback is only as good as your observation notes. Practical tips for writing notes that produce better, more specific results.
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The Post-Observation Conversation: How to Make the 15 Minutes After Feedback Count
Delivering feedback is only half the job. Here's how to structure the post-observation conversation so teachers grow from it.
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