Teacher Professional Growth System (TPGS)
Developed through a collaborative partnership between Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), the Teacher Professional Growth System (TPGS) was implemented beginning in the 2000-2001 school year and is now in its 2025-2026 edition. Built on six performance standards adapted from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, TPGS shifts the focus from checklist-style compliance to continuous professional growth - incorporating a Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) program and aligning with Maryland's Blueprint for Maryland's Future career ladder requirements. The MCPS model is widely recognized as a national exemplar and has been studied and adapted by districts across the country.
Used by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland - one of the largest school districts in the United States with approximately 156,500 students. The MCPS model is widely recognized nationally and has been studied and adapted by school districts across the country.
How Observation Copilot Helps
AI-powered TPGS (MCPS) feedback in seconds
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to the right TPGS (MCPS) domains and drafts structured, rubric-aligned feedback - ready to review and share.
- Maps observation notes to TPGS standards automatically
- Generates evidence-based summaries for each of the six performance standards
- Suggests ratings aligned to the TPGS rubric scale
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific TPGS standard indicators
- Reduces post-observation write-up time for MCPS principals and coaches
Framework Domains
TPGS (MCPS) at a Glance
Standard 1
Teachers are committed to students and their learning - encompassing equitable treatment of all students, understanding of how students develop and learn, and adjustment of practice to meet individual needs.
Standard 2
Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students - covering deep content knowledge, use of multiple instructional approaches, and connection of subject matter to real-world contexts.
Standard 3
Teachers are responsible for establishing and managing student learning in a positive learning environment - addressing classroom culture, student engagement, management of instructional time, and creation of a safe, respectful learning community.
Standard 4
Teachers continually assess student progress, analyze the results, and adapt instruction to improve student achievement - including formative and summative assessment design, data analysis, and responsive instructional adjustments.
Standard 5
Teachers are committed to continuous improvement and professional development - covering reflective practice, engagement with professional learning communities, and ongoing growth in instructional effectiveness.
Standard 6
Teachers exhibit a high degree of professionalism - including ethical conduct, collaboration with colleagues and families, contributions to the school community, and adherence to professional responsibilities.
Rating Scale
TPGS (MCPS) Rating Levels
Used In
States Using TPGS (MCPS)
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