The Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA) requires that teachers in the state of Tennessee demonstrate knowledge of foundational literacy skills instruction. The law outlines both training and licensure requirements. 

Training Requirements: Beginning Aug. 1, 2023, all current teachers in Tennessee with a TLSA qualifying endorsement (listed here) must complete a foundational literacy skills training course. To satisfy this requirement, educators can complete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training. 

Licensure Requirements: Beginning Aug. 1, 2023, candidates seeking to obtain, renew, or advance a teaching license with at least one qualifying endorsement (listed here) must demonstrate compliance with TLSA requirements when submitting licensure transactions. Educators may elect to demonstrate compliance using one of the below pathways. The trainings and assessment are free. Educators who do not complete this requirement will not be able to renew or advance the license, and it will become inactive.

• Foundational Literacy Skills Training: Complete Course 1 of either the Early Reading Training or Secondary Literacy Training.  

OR 

• Assessment: Pass the Tennessee Early Literacy Assessment (TELA), which is now available online.  

The Tennessee Literacy Success Act (TLSA) requirement deadline is quickly approaching! All MSCS educators, school leaders, and district staff must meet this requirement deadline by March 31, 2024. 

If you have completed this requirement and submitted your certificate as requested, you may disregard this message.

Please upload your course completion certificate to TN Compass and to this MSCS form: https://forms.office.com/r/Gs1YWkcY1Q

Please note the step sheet detailing how to upload to TN Compass:

Steps to Upload the Literacy Success Act Certificate of Completion

f you have any questions, feel free to contact us at HRCompliance@scsk12.org.

Instructional Track Updates in PLZ

As a result of the TDOE finalizing SY22-23 LOE scores, the EPS office will update track assignments effective Dec. 20. Please note that only the track name will change, not the evaluation plan. 

Track assignment definitions are provided below.  

• Teachers on a Novice track require 4 observations (1 announced & 3 unannounced).  
• Teachers on a Focus track require an ICC and 3 observations (1 announced & 2 unannounced).  
• Teachers on a Proficient track require 2 observations (1 announced & 1 unannounced). 

Growth and Achievement Updates

NOTE: THOSE DESIRING TO UPDATE THEIR OCTOBER CHOICE AND/OR DID NOT MAKE A PREVIOUS G&A SELECTION. THIS IS NOT REQUIRED FOR ALL EDUCATORS.  

By Jan. 12, an additional growth and achievement container will be visible for educators in PLZ under the "My Evaluation" tab inside the Growth and Achievement tab entitled "Revised Growth and Achievement". Any educator who desires to update their October selections or make a selection for SY2023-24 will be able to do so until Jan. 31.  

Be reminded both the educator and evaluator must sign off in the new container to indicate the desire for a change.

For additional questions contact EPS at eps@scsk12.org or 901.416.2475.

Want to learn more about writing instruction using Wonders and myPerspectives resources? Then join us for one of the vendor-led writing sessions in January. Learn more about the resources used in the Writing Plans! Deepen your knowledge around the many instructional writing materials and state writing test practice resources that support writing in our ELA classrooms. Click HERE to learn more and register today!

Wonders Writing sessions:

Session Title: Writing in the K-5 Wonders Curriculum (Elementary)

Date: Jan. 22 

Time: 4-5 PM

myPerspectives Writing sessions:

Session Title: Writing Opportunities in the myPerspectives Curriculum (Secondary/6-12) 

     (6-8)

• Date: Jan. 23 
• Time: 4-5 PM

    (9-12)

• Date: Jan. 25
• Time: 3:30-4:30 PM

Questions? Email ci_ela_team@scsk12.org