One of the key areas of congruence throughout the state data from Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia is the generally high scores given to
teachers during classroom observations, a finding that comes right as new research is revealing clues about the properties of such observations and how they are shaped by the norms within schools.
Not exact matches
In sum, the use of
teacher - collected video in
classroom observations did seem to improve the
classroom observation process along a number of dimensions: it boosted
teachers» perception of fairness of
classroom observations, reduced
teacher defensiveness
during post-
observation conferences, led to greater self - perception of the need for behavior change and allowed administrators to time - shift
observation duties to quieter times of the day or week.
The department should specify that a probationary
teacher is «ineffective»
during their fourth year of teaching if: (i) a
teacher's average student achievement gain
during their second through fourth year of teaching falls below that of the average first - year
teacher in their district or (ii) the
classroom observations done by external observers
during their second through fourth year of teaching falls below that of the average first - year
teacher.
During the conference, the principal shared evidence from the
classroom observation, as well as the Danielson ratings, with the
teacher.
The post-assessment indicates that the course led to significant increases in preservice
teachers»
observation skills, particularly in
teachers» ability to notice features of the
classroom environment, mathematical content of a lesson, and
teacher and student communication
during a lesson.
We completed the
classroom observation forms
during or soon after the
observation period but did not show them to the
teachers.
* By formative assessment, we mean
classroom observations, class quizzes and tests, and other practices used by
teachers and students
during instruction to provide in - the - moment feedback so
teachers can adjust accordingly.
Teachers recorded their
classroom observations and analyzed student work created
during the units.
Data collection procedures included researcher field notes
during workshop sessions and lessons, videotaped
classroom observations, audiotaped interviews, and
teacher and student lesson artifacts.
Teachers are heavily influenced by their years of experience in schools and
classrooms during their «apprenticeship of
observation» (Lortie, 1975).
During Dr. Stoddard's study, only one local
classroom and
teacher responded in time to requests for a
classroom observation.
During the
classroom observations, IDRA representatives reported that each
teacher knew the exact status (task and skill level) of every student.
Data gathered
during classroom observations and pre - and post-conference discussions with
teachers become meaningful through association.
Identifying
teacher needs prior to and
during PD through surveys, as well through
classroom observations when possible, can add additional important perspectives to the PD design.
Most systems combine two main factors in measuring a
teacher's performance: a rating based on at least one formal
classroom observation, and a rating meant to capture how much students learn
during the year.
Ann Schulte, associate professor at California State University, Chico, says that preparation programs should be focused on working with and assessing
teacher candidates in the field, so they receive frequent
observations and feedback
during their student teaching experiences from someone with extensive knowledge of their abilities and
classrooms.
Local educators say they chose the D.C.
observation method — essentially a list of standards that
teachers must demonstrate
during a
classroom observation, such as promoting critical thinking among students or managing
classroom behavior — after looking closely at three different options.
The number of standards on which
teachers are measured
during a
classroom observation was reduced to 18 because
teachers found a checklist of 22 indicators too long and confusing.
The impacts on
teacher effectiveness and placement are inconclusive
during the first couple of years of study; however, majorities of
teachers have indicated that the feedback they received, especially from
classroom observations, has prompted them to make changes in their practice.
During multiple
observations,
teacher candidates in these programs have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and ability to drive student learning, build relationships with students and colleagues, and manage
classroom behavior in real school environments.11 Research suggests that the selection and preparation of mentor
teachers is an especially important component of successful clinical residencies.12
Ted Christensen, 47, a seventh - grade English language arts
teacher who has taught at Valor Middle Academy for six years and has been a
teacher for 18 years, said the evaluations he gets
during classroom observations make him feel valued.
In order to establish triangulation (Patton, 2002), multiple sources of data were collected:
classroom observations, individual interviews with each
teacher, and member checking of the data
during the data collection.
The
teacher leaders developed sustainable methods of communicating with their teams three times over the course of a month: 1) midway through the month, the
teacher leaders hand back to their site colleagues copies of the reflections they wrote at the last meeting and the plans they chose to implement
during the month; 2) Co-principal Maria Carriedo sends an email to all the
teachers a week before each meeting to remind them to bring their
observations of their focal students; 3)
teachers make notes to themselves, in a simple chart form, about the interventions and behaviors they plan to track and keep these on their
classroom walls as an easy way to document their focal students» progress.
Rather, it unfolds over time
during the some 13,000 hours that students spend in contact with
classroom teachers from Kindergarten to 12th grade, a period that Dan Lortie called the «apprenticeship of
observation» in his 1975 work, Schoolteacher: A Sociological Study.
The state requires that each local school system design a program incorporating components established by the state, including: an orientation program for new
teachers prior to the start of the school year, mentor support such as regularly scheduled meetings
during non-instructional time, opportunities for new
teachers to observe and co-teach with skilled
teachers with follow - up discussion of the experiences, ongoing professional learning activities, and ongoing formative review of new
teacher performance such as
classroom observation.
Then, as a team, the instructional leaders reviewed all the scripts the principal had taken
during observations in the
teacher's
classroom that school year.
Our results thus provided suggestive evidence that the strength of the relationship between
teachers»
classroom observation scores and their students» test performance may in part be attributable to the sensitivity of the skills assessed
during observation to those assessed on the test.
Concerning
classroom implementation, ratings were gathered through
classroom observations of 11 of the 12 implementing
teachers during their final implementation year using the
observation rubric.
• Assist lead
teachers in planning, designing and implementing curriculum • Provide assistance in preparing lesson plans • Impart
classroom instruction in accordance to lesson plans • Supervise and control students
during class and when the lead
teacher is not present • Assist students with carrying out
classroom activities • Assist students
during lunch time • Observe students for developmental issues and communicate findings to lead
teachers • Implement age appropriate activities and monitor safety throughout • Research information for lesson development • Communicate progress and
observations to parents • Maintain student records and perform other clerical tasks • Help in maintaining a clean and organized
classroom • Ensure sanitation of all surfaces, equipment and toys • Assist students in social skills development • Assist in putting up bulletins • Accompany young students to the bathroom • Take attendance and make copies of tests • Assist in grading test papers and exams • Assist in checking work books and homework • Operate equipment such as projectors and computers for instructional purposes • Maintain appropriate
classroom discipline and decorum • Prepare and distribute worksheets • Ensure that students retain information by repeating information constantly and practicing patience • Deliver instruction in the absence of lead
teacher • Perform hall and bus duty as instructed by the lead
teacher