A number of states and districts have devised multiple - measures approaches to teacher evaluation that combine
classroom observations with a basket of evidence about student learning, as well as evidence about professional contributions.
They then use as an example the 0.044 (p < 0.05) coefficient (as related to more
classroom observations with explicit feedback tied to the Common Core) and explain that «a difference of one standard deviation in the observation and feedback index was associated with an increase of 0.044 standard deviations in students» mathematics test scores — roughly the equivalent of 1.4 scale score points on the PARCC assessment and 4.1 scale score points on the SBAC.»
They assert first that «In mathematics, [they] identified three markers of successful implementation: more professional development days, more
classroom observations with explicit feedback tied to the Common Core, and the inclusion of Common Core - aligned student outcomes in teacher evaluations.
As their Table 6 shows (p. 20), the regression coefficients related to these three areas of «statistically significant» influence on teachers» students» test - based performance on the new PARCC and SBAC mathematics tests (i.e., more professional development days, more
classroom observations with explicit feedback tied to the Common Core, and the inclusion of Common Core - aligned student outcomes in teacher evaluations) yielded the following coefficients, respectively: 0.045 (p < 0.01), 0.044 (p < 0.05), and 0.054 (p < 0.01).
If we can't connect
classroom observations with effective teaching in general, we certainly can't say much about the particular aspects of teaching that were observed that most contributed to effective teaching.
To better assess teaching, we can supplement
classroom observations with periodic student surveys (at least for older students).
What's more, significantly improved predictive power from a mixture of
classroom observations with test score gains could have made the case for why we need both.
If you're at all familiar with my work, you know how much I believe in the effectiveness of frequent, informal,
classroom observations with specific feedback.
The administrator shares a digital copy of
that classroom observation with the teacher.
To address this underlying factor, we schedule
a classroom observation with a veteran teacher renowned for her classroom management.
Not exact matches
Following a three - year study that involved about 3,000 teachers, analysts said the most accurate measure of a teacher's effectiveness was a combination of
classroom observations by at least two evaluators, along
with student scores counting for between 33 percent and 50 percent of the overall evaluation.
He proposed revising teacher evaluations
with half their scores based on their students» scores on state tests, up from 20 percent, and half based on
classroom observations.
The move comes after NYSUT pushed back this year against efforts by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to overhaul the state's teacher evaluation system,
with the performance evaluations linked to both standardized test results and in -
classroom observation, while also making it more difficult for teachers to obtain and keep tenure.
Cuomo has proposed revising teacher evaluations
with half their scores based on their students» scores on state tests, up from 20 percent, and half based on
classroom observations.
Four - out - of - five New York City voters (80 %) support a new teacher evaluation system based on both
classroom observations and test scores,
with 56 % supporting such a system strongly.
Whatever the parties negotiate or King decides, the evaluation system will be based 20 percent on standardized test scores when applicable, 20 percent on other evidence of student learning and 60 percent on
classroom observation and other measures of teacher effectiveness, in keeping
with the 2010 state law on teacher evaluation.
These data also allow the researchers to draw conclusions about a causal mechanism that can explain the
observation that black students are more likely to be identified as gifted
with black
classroom teachers.
The research team measured teacher - child interactions at the start and end of the program using the
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), an
observation tool
with three components: emotional support,
classroom organization, and instructional support.
Throughout, the M15 chief, Harry Patterson (John Hurt), who's rigged the van
with a hidden camera and a microphone and is overseeing the ride, makes
observations about the two figures» psychologies that are already plainly evident through the actors» gestures, as well as offers explanations about the political and historical importance of this discussion that feel more like
classroom lectures.
Shadow a school leader for a day and you will likely be running from meetings to crises, from
classroom observations to lunch duty, from performances to conversations
with parents, and from dismissal back to more meetings.
We think the first and compulsory step here is to orientate
classroom observation in your school as a practical improvement measure
with clear links to teacher professional learning.
Early adopter states have struggled
with data integrity, inflated scores, and bias in
classroom observations,» he wrote.
Consensus needs to be reached on the focus of the
observation (teacher, students or both), the frequency and duration of
observations, the structure of pre - and post-
observation meetings, who is going to own and control these data (critical
with video recordings), and last, but certainly not least, the
classroom observation guide to be used.
In a recent post for Education Week, Peter DeWitt details some of the problems
with classroom observations.
After extensive research on teacher evaluation procedures, the Measures of Effective Teaching Project mentions three different measures to provide teachers
with feedback for growth: (1)
classroom observations by peer - colleagues using validated scales such as the Framework for Teaching or the
Classroom Assessment Scoring System, further described in Gathering Feedback for Teaching (PDF) and Learning About Teaching (PDF), (2) student evaluations using the Tripod survey developed by Ron Ferguson from Harvard, which measures students» perceptions of teachers» ability to care, control, clarify, challenge, captivate, confer, and consolidate, and (3) growth in student learning based on standardized test scores over multiple years.
There is an expectation among the school staff that they practice a culture of continuous improvement and risk - taking based on a cycle of conversations,
classroom observations, constructive feedback, and planning and implementing strategies that aim to directly make a difference to
classroom practices in line
with the priorities identified for school improvement.
The Global Learning and
Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program is NASA's hands - on science program that allows
classrooms to connect
with scientists and science students from around the world.
Key Elements of Observing Practice (DVD) contains a series of short videos that invite you into
classrooms and meeting rooms at the Richard J. Murphy School in Boston, a school that uses data wisely, and comes
with a Facilitator's Guide for designing your own process for learning from
classroom observation.
A few weeks ago, I met
with a group of educators to discuss their
observations from a series of learning walks in
classrooms.
Traditionally, teacher evaluation systems relied heavily on
classroom observations conducted by principals or other school administrators, sometimes
with the help of rubrics or checklists.
With the Best Foot Forward project, the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard is testing what it hopes is a better way to conduct
classroom observations, making the process more valuable for teachers and administrators.
As educators who have spent over 20 years researching, observing and studying
classroom practice, we are even more convinced that many of the past practices in
classroom observation relied on snapshot
observations made by supervisors
with little professional or academic learning.
But the bias in
classroom observation is not a serious problem
with respect to teacher dismissal.
•
Classrooms open to teacher colleagues for observation and analysis In order to articulate a problem of practice teachers must make use of instructional data which they collect through observations of their colleagues» classrooms and contrast current practice with their shared expectation of effective instruction for the identified learnin
Classrooms open to teacher colleagues for
observation and analysis In order to articulate a problem of practice teachers must make use of instructional data which they collect through
observations of their colleagues»
classrooms and contrast current practice with their shared expectation of effective instruction for the identified learnin
classrooms and contrast current practice
with their shared expectation of effective instruction for the identified learning problem.
Research ranged from qualitative to quantitative and included
classroom observation, interviews
with program participants and managers, and a survey to determine how valuable each participant's relationship to his or her model teacher or mentor was in preparing them to teach.
Table 10 confirms that
classroom observations pass this test
with flying colors.
These new systems depend primarily on two types of measurements: student test score gains on statewide assessments in math and reading in grades 4 - 8 that can be uniquely associated
with individual teachers; and systematic
classroom observations of teachers by school leaders and central staff.
Illustrative of this, when we divided teachers into five equal - sized groups based on the average prior academic achievement of their incoming students, we found that roughly three times as many (29 %) of the teachers
with the least prepared incoming students were identified as low performing based on
classroom observations relative to teachers
with the most prepared students incoming students (11 %).
When compared
with such crude indicators, the combination of student achievement gains on state tests, student surveys, and
classroom observations identified teachers
with better outcomes on every measure we tested: state tests and supplemental tests as well as more subjective measures, such as student - reported effort and enjoyment in class.
(Just as we did
with classroom observations, to avoid generating a spurious correlation between student survey responses and achievement scores for the same group of students, we estimated the correlation across different
classrooms of students taught by the same teacher.)
The larger point here, however, and the bigger problem for those trying to weaken the union grip on the process, is that both the «locally selected» 20 % and the remaining 60 % (
classroom observation and professional growth), as Lynch concludes, «must necessarily be determined through negotiations»
with the union.
And yet, in our
observation of highly effective teachers, we sometimes see two teachers go into their
classrooms with similarly strong plans and come out
with different results.
In late March, several faculty members including Reimers, McCartney, Murnane, Honan, Holland, and Cardenas traveled to Mexico to meet
with Mexican officials, collect data, and conduct interviews and
classroom observations.
Cincinnati provided us
with records of each
classroom observation conducted between the 2000 — 01 and 2008 — 09 school years, including the scores that evaluators assigned for each specific practice element as a result of that
observation.
Interviews
with teachers and students as well as
classroom observations provided the bulk of the data as researchers looked into the effectiveness of the practices in action.
- 12 task cards
with practice
observation / inference problems using graphics and people in your
classroom.
From
observations and discussions I have had
with many teachers in both my school and division, goal setting, self - monitoring and student reflection on their professional learning and
classroom instruction are underutilized for various reasons.
What is notable about the version of teacher evaluation systems currently evolving in districts throughout the nation, however, is the continued emphasis on
classroom observations,
with many systems employing the same
observation tool used in CPS under the EITP initiative.
During the conference, the principal shared evidence from the
classroom observation, as well as the Danielson ratings,
with the teacher.
With high - inference
classroom observation tools, the observer must infer the constructs to be rated — such as enthusiasm, clarity of presentation, or empathy — recording the frequency through such scales as «consistently», «sometimes», or «always» (Rosenshine, 1970).