The Teacher Quality Assurance Program, an integral part of the Houston, Texas, Plan for Excellence, addresses renewal and professional growth opportunities for current staff. The program is administered by a bi- or tri-dimensional assessment team that may consist of the principal, an instructional supervisor, and the associate and/or deputy superintendent. The manual contains a flow chart of the steps of the program, the components of the assessment, and the responsibilities of the team members. These are followed by explanations of ratings for proficiency elements on the classroom observation instrument that include: observed instructional proficiencies, management system and professional characteristics, and student academic growth. Other assessment matters explained in the manual are the growth improvement plan for teachers receiving lower ratings and the professional refinement plan for those receiving higher ratings; summary conference procedures; postassessment outcomes; and how to handle third party input. The appendixes, comprising over half of the document, contain the different instruments and forms, a sample memorandum of record, and a manual for the classroom observation assessment instrument. (MLF)