Apex Blueprint Goal Planner
T-TESS Growth Portfolio
APEX BLUEPRINT
Dimension 1.3: Standards & Goal-Setting (GT Focus)
Professional Growth Goal Status: Approved
Teacher Name _____________________
Academic Year 2026 – 2027
Campus / District _____________________
Assignment GT Enrichment (K-5)
Formal Goal Statement (Dimension 1.3 Focus)
T-TESS 1.3 Alignment
"By the end of the academic year, 100% of my GT enrichment students will utilize a structured self-assessment framework to co-create, track, and evaluate personal learning goals for their advanced independent research projects."
Baseline Data Metric: September diagnostic checks indicate less than 20% of students can self-assess project progress or articulate concrete milestone deadlines.
Success Metric (Distinguished): Students self-assess monthly, and 90% show a progression from teacher-prompted to student-led milestone planning by May.
Action Steps & Implementation Timeline
| Phases & Dates | Action Steps & Teacher Activities | Artifacts / Evidence Expected |
|---|
| Phase 1: Design | | |
| Aug – Sep | Develop the "GT Independent Research Rubric" and digital goal logs. Teach students how to break down complex tasks into sub-tasks. | Blank goal-setting portfolios, student benchmark logs, mini-lesson slides. |
| Phase 2: Launch | | |
| Oct – Nov | Introduce student-led pacing charts. Model goal revisions during project 1-on-1 check-ins. Students define personal milestones. | Initial student goals, recorded student audio goals or signed learning contracts. |
| Phase 3: Deepen | | |
| Dec – Feb | Incorporate peer-evaluations and self-assessment checklists twice per month. Use rubric data to adapt instructional pacing. | Bi-monthly student check-ins, tracking charts, adjusted project maps. |
| Phase 4: Reflect | | |
| Mar – May | Students host "Project Defense" showcase detailing their goal tracking journeys, failures overcome, and final high-quality products. | Completed self-evaluation matrices, final reflection journals, showcase rubrics. |
Advanced Academics & GT Division
Form 1.3-A | Page 1 of 2
IMPLEMENTATION & EVIDENCE PORTFOLIO
Tracking systems, student portfolios, and evaluation standards
Professional Development & Collaboration Support
To achieve this, I will participate in Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) professional development modules regarding student-led research scaffolding, collaborate with the campus instructional coach on diagnostic feedback systems, and utilize campus PLCs to review student-led data.
Student Self-Assessment Matrix (Standards Alignment for Students)
The classroom scaffold below determines how students progress in the skill of independent project tracking.
Level 1: Guided
Teacher-Led Steps
Student follows a pre-set daily schedule. Milestones are fully structured by the teacher. Feedback is primarily verbal and direct.
Level 2: Collaborative
Co-Created Milestones
Student and teacher negotiate pacing timelines. Student evaluates their progress bi-weekly using color-coded checkpoints.
Level 3: Autonomous
Student-Directed Tracking
Student creates weekly micro-goals, records blockers, and proposes timeline shifts with logical justification.
Evaluation and Mid-Year/End-of-Year Alignment
Mid-Year Check-In Review
Mid-year data notes: tracking tools developed and introduced to 100% of target classrooms. High usage seen in upper grades.
End-of-Year Goal Attainment Reflection
EOY Reflection Notes: Final percentages and student portfolio links recorded in Texas T-PESS/T-TESS online system.
Agreement & Sign-off
Teacher Signature / Date
Evaluator Signature / Date
Advanced Academics & GT Division
Form 1.3-A | Page 2 of 2
Apex Project Rubric
GT Independent Inquiry Framework
APEX PROJECT RUBRIC
Standards-Aligned Evaluation & Self-Assessment Guide
Independent Research Level: Scholar Edition (K-5)
Scholar Name _____________________
Inquiry Project Title _____________________
Target Completion Date _____________________
Research Goals
| Inquiry Focus | Novice
Level 1: Starting out | Practitioner
Level 2: Moving along | Scholar
Level 3: Going beyond |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Big Question Creating my main research question. | My question is simple and has a quick answer I can find on one page. | My question asks "why" or "how" and takes multiple sources to answer. | My question solves a real problem or explores something brand new. |
| 2. Sources & Rigor Finding and choosing high-quality information. | I only used one website or book to gather my project information. | I used three different, reliable websites, books, or articles. | I interviewed an expert, or checked opposing viewpoints on my topic. |
| 3. Creation & Design Inventing new ideas from facts. | I copied down facts to summarize my topic without adding my own ideas. | I combined different facts to build my own design, diagram, or plan. | I designed a brand-new model or solution that addresses a real-world gap. |
| 4. Final Presentation Sharing my project with others. | I read my slides or poster word-for-word and struggled to answer questions. | I spoke clearly, didn't read word-for-word, and explained my research. | I used models, objects, or interactive tools and defended my ideas perfectly. |
Scholar Goal Checkpoint
Fill this out with your teacher during your monthly research review.
My Current Goal Level:
Level 1 (Novice) Level 2 (Practitioner) Level 3 (Scholar)
My Next Small Step:
Before my next check-in, I will...
Advanced Academics & GT Division
Apex Rubric Framework | Student Edition