Teacher evaluation systems commonly rely on observation of teaching practice (OTP) by school principals. However, the value of OTP as evidence of teacher effectiveness depends on its psychometric quality. In this study, we address a key aspect of the psychometric quality of principals' OTP ratings. Specifically, we investigate the degree to which…

Classroom observation is a crucial aspect of any system of teacher evaluation. No matter how skilled a teacher is in other aspects of teaching--such as careful planning, working well with colleagues, and communicating with parents--if classroom practice is deficient, that individual cannot be considered a good teacher. Classroom observations can…

This "Rating a Teacher Observation Tool" identifies five simple questions and provides an easy-to-use scorecard to help policymakers decide whether an observation framework is likely to produce fair and accurate results. The five questions are: (1) Do the criteria and tools cover the classroom performance areas most connected to student outcomes?…

Observation measures of instructional quality tend to fall into two broad categories--those for use across subject areas and those intended for use in specific subject areas. The move toward content-specific measures is a result of research suggesting that effective teaching looks different across subject areas and that both content knowledge and…

This manual on teacher evaluation is limited to selected aspects of instruction that are evident in classrooms, including teaching behaviors, pupil perceptions about instruction, classroom transactions involving pupils and teachers, and evidence of short- and long-term planning. The focus is upon those aspects of instruction that research has…

NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR CONSISTS MAINLY OF FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, GESTURES AND BODY MOVEMENTS, AND VOCAL INTONATIONS AND INFLECTIONS. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A MODEL FOR OBSERVING TEACHER NONVERBAL CLASSROOM ACTIVITY, 12 CATEGORIES WERE DEVELOPED THROUGH THE USE OF TWO DIMENSIONS--ENCOURAGING TO INHIBITING AND TEACHER INITIATED TO TEACHER RESPONSE. THREE…

The effectiveness of a system of supervision of classroom teaching, involving the videotaping of instruction and an objective evaluation instrument, was investigated using eight veteran English teachers. The system was designed to correct weaknesses in supervision, based on classroom observation, conferences, and reports on the observations and…

Stresses the need for more research into the actual instructional behavior of English teachers and discusses current findings of research of this sort. (SW)

VARIOUS RESEARCH ON MICROTEACHING IS BRIEFLY REVIEWED. THE METHOD DEVELOPED AT STANFORD CONSISTS OF THE PRESENTATION OF 5-10 MINUTE VIDEOTAPED LESSON SEGMENTS TO GROUPS OF 4 TO 6 PUPILS. THESE LESSONS WERE EVALUATED BY THE SUPERVISOR AND THE PUPILS AND THEN DISCUSSED BY THE INTERN AND THE SUPERVISOR DURING THE PLAYBACK. THE LESSON WAS IMMEDIATELY…

Analyzes some examples of classroom interaction from observation of English as a second language (ESL) teachers in Japanese classrooms. Analysis of the data shows that lessons often seem to pass from meaningless activity to silence and that ESL teachers continue to emphasize form over meaning and accuracy over communication. (SED)

Includes a brief summary of numerous existing systematic observation schemes. (RD)

Presents a checklist that principals can use during classroom observation that provides objective information that can be discussed with teachers later. (MKM)

Numerous methods of evaluating language teaching and learning are in common use, including direct classroom observation. A time-interval recording system is offered as a practical and reliable technique. It includes describing behavior to be observed, recording occurrences in a time interval, charting progress and interpreting findings. (CHK)

Presents the problem of evaluating teaching, especially in science education. Gives examples of science teaching skills that are difficult to evaluate. Gives examples of individual solutions being used. Announces a National Science Teachers Association survey of teacher evaluation and standards. (CW)

The Assessments of Performance in Teaching (APT), presented here, is a classroom teacher performance evaluation procedure mandated by the South Carolina Legislature for all student and first year teachers, and will be implemented in 1982. Aiming to measure minimal competence, the instrument addresses five performance dimensions: planning;…