All teachers need clarity on where to focus their own improvement; effective observation and feedback provides that clarity, leading to transparent expectations for teachers across the school and, ultimately, better outcomes for students.
The observation and feedback structure includes two key practices that can strengthen instruction and improve student outcomes: ongoing feedback cycles and instructional rounds. The conditions in which schools implement these practices are crucial to ensuring that teachers and students get the most out of the structure.
This rubric can help assess your school’s current conditions for observation and feedback so that you can lay the groundwork for effective professional learning.
This interactive rubric tool is designed to help you understand where to focus your improvement efforts for your observation and feedback structure. If you want to skip the rubric and download the action plans and associated resources, click the link below.
This rubric assesses the conditions necessary to build an effective observation and feedback structure. It can be completed alone or with a group of stakeholders (e.g., an instructional leadership team).
You’ll be asked to rate the current state of each condition as “emerging” (not yet put into practice), “developing” (put into practice, but not fully functioning),” or “deepening” (fully functioning).
After you complete the rubric, you will receive an action plan and resources along with personalized instructions to help you lay the groundwork for an effective observation and feedback structure.
Below are steps that you can take to better understand how your observation and feedback structure serves everyone in your school.
Each rubric indicator offers specific guidance about how these data sources can help inform your responses.
These steps are optional—feel free to skip ahead to the rubric. You can always return to complete the rubric again after gathering stakeholder input and then triangulate your responses to identify misalignment across stakeholders.
Review any relevant artifacts from your observation and feedback structure (e.g., feedback provided to teachers, observation schedules and trackers, vision statement, roles and responsibilities, training materials).
Gather information from observers (i.e., anyone conducting classroom observations) about how they perceive the current state of observation and feedback.
The link below will direct you to make a copy of a ready-made survey that you can use to collect this information.
Gather information from teachers about how they perceive the current state of observation and feedback.
Read each indicator and check the box that best describes the current state of your school.
Artifact: Vision statement and a plan to communicate it
Teacher and observer surveys: Responses to the prompt, “The vision for observation and feedback at my school was communicated to me, and I have a clear understanding of that vision.”
Artifact: Leader weekly schedules with dedicated observation time
Teacher survey: Responses to the prompt, “I am observed and provided feedback at least once every other week.”
Observer survey: Responses to the prompt, “I observe and provide feedback to the teachers on my caseload at least every other week.”
Artifact: Observation tracker
Teacher survey: Responses to the prompt, “I can easily access the notes and action steps from my observations and feedback meetings.”
Observer survey: Responses to the prompt, “I use an observation tracker to track observation dates, notes, and action steps and adjust the tracker as needed.”
Artifact: Schoolwide plan that specifies the key actions, dates, and responsibilities for all staff members
Teacher and observer surveys: Responses to the prompt, “I understand my responsibilities and action steps so that the observation cycle is effective.”
Observer survey: Responses to the prompt, “I have sufficient time to carry out my roles and responsibilities when it comes to observation and feedback.”
Artifact: Agendas or PL materials from observer trainings or joint observations
Observer survey: Responses to the prompt, “I feel prepared to facilitate an effective observation and feedback cycle.”
Teacher and observer surveys: “I am invested in the observation and feedback process.” and “The observation and feedback process improves my/teachers’ instructional practice.”
Observation: Equity of voice, participation, and vulnerability
Teacher survey: Responses to the prompt, “My perspectives, efforts, and contributions are affirmed in interactions with observers.”
Thanks for taking the time to complete the rubric! Based on your responses, it looks like you could use support improving [total-checked-survey-resources] conditions for your observation and feedback structure.
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