Think of classroom observation as a calibration exercise. Fruitful observation produces insights about and implications for every facet of a school or school system. Observation guides us in:

• Adhering to a shared, standards-aligned instructional framework for teaching and learning
• Understanding and faithfully implementing agreed-upon elements of the instructional framework
• Assessing consistency in practices among practitioners – for example, within and across grade levels/departments or content areas
• Gathering data about what’s working well and what needs improvement to inform coaching, support, and professional development
• Gauging the impact of investments in curricular, assessments, and professional development on student learning, growth, and success
• Judging the efficacy of leadership decisions where it counts most: at the intersection of student, teacher, and content

Effective classroom observations – or walkthroughs – have a clearly defined focus. For example:

• A learning walkthrough typically focuses on a few instructional practices.
• An implementation walkthrough can provide evidence of how an educational investment, such as a new curriculum or PD offerings, impacts outcomes.
• A leadership walkthrough may illustrate how leadership actions are affecting teacher practice and student learning.

Of the countless classroom observation tools available to practitioners, Performance Fact recommends those that involve:

• Explicit statements about what we expect to see in the classroom (the practices or strategies being observed)
• Shared understanding of the observations criteria (a rubric, for example)
• Timely, actionable feedback, with a schedule for follow-up
• Mining all the observation data to infer major trends and implications for leadership action

Ultimately, classroom observations drive continuous improvement of the instructional core: how well the interaction of student, teacher, and content provide the outcomes we seek.

▶ Recommended interval for the MONITOR AND ADJUST Classroom Observation Tools process: Every week