ClassroomWalk-ThroughsClassroomWalk-Throughs

Becky, Suzan, Tom, and JasonBecky, Suzan, Tom, and Jason

Survey Time!Survey Time!

Please take a couple of minutes to answer our questionnaire…

Please take a couple of minutes to answer our questionnaire…

3

Walk-Throughs are:Walk-Throughs are:

Conducted by school principal or supervisor

Focused on teacher evaluation and supervision

Gather information about curriculum, instruction, and teacher decisions

Separate from a formal observation Increase knowledge, skills, and

performance Promotes teacher growth

Conducted by school principal or supervisor

Focused on teacher evaluation and supervision

Gather information about curriculum, instruction, and teacher decisions

Separate from a formal observation Increase knowledge, skills, and

performance Promotes teacher growth

Understanding Walk-Throughs:Understanding Walk-Throughs:

Set the stage at the beginning of Set the stage at the beginning of

the yearthe year

Help improve not punishHelp improve not punish

Train on importanceTrain on importance

Set a purpose each weekSet a purpose each week

Leave notesLeave notes

Understanding Walk-Throughs

Understanding Walk-Throughs

Downey Approach• Informal• Brief 2-3 minutes• Teacher decisions• Throughout the

day/unannounced• No checklists Nothing goes in

file • Focus is professional growth • Leads to reflective conversation

Downey Approach• Informal• Brief 2-3 minutes• Teacher decisions• Throughout the

day/unannounced• No checklists Nothing goes in

file • Focus is professional growth • Leads to reflective conversation

Other Approaches• Formal• Longer 5-15 minutes• Teacher effectiveness• Time is typically known and

scheduled• Specific checklist about certain

practices• May put checklist in personnel

file• Focus is evaluation and

supervision• Leads to direct feedback from

supervisor

Other Approaches• Formal• Longer 5-15 minutes• Teacher effectiveness• Time is typically known and

scheduled• Specific checklist about certain

practices• May put checklist in personnel

file• Focus is evaluation and

supervision• Leads to direct feedback from

supervisor

Five-Step Walk-Through Observation ModelFive-Step Walk-Through Observation Model

1. Student Orientation on the Work2. Curricular Decision Points3. Instructional Decision Points4. Walk the Walls5. Safety and Health Issues

1. Student Orientation on the Work2. Curricular Decision Points3. Instructional Decision Points4. Walk the Walls5. Safety and Health Issues

Are Walk-Throughs the “Right Stuff?”

Are Walk-Throughs the “Right Stuff?”

25 years of research literature has yielded 10 highly desirable results of MBWA practices.25 years of research literature has yielded 10 highly desirable results of MBWA practices.

1. Enhanced teacher satisfaction2. Improved teacher self efficacy3. Improved teacher attitudes toward professional development4. Improved teacher attitudes toward teacher appraisal5. Increased teacher efficacy of other teachers6. Improved classroom instruction7. Improved teacher perception of principal effectiveness8. Improved student discipline and acceptance of advice and

criticism9. Improved teacher-perceived effectiveness at the school10.MBWA increases student learning across socioeconomic and

cultural lines

Results of our surveysResults of our surveys

• High school • High school

How does an administrative visit make you feel?

What do you think they are looking for?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Respect/Student Behavior

On Task

Management

Teacher PerformanceLearning/Evidence

Organization

Other

Student

Percentage of Students Polled

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Respect/Student Behavior

On Task

Management

Teacher PerformanceLearning/Evidence

Organization

Other

Student

Percentage of Students Polled

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Results continuedResults continued• Elementary and Middle

school responses to our surveys

• Elementary and Middle school responses to our surveys

Other 6%Sad

2%

Proud/Excited24%

On Task10%

Unchanged15%

Respect2%

Anxiety

Nervous13%

Nervous

Anxiety

Respect

Unchanged

On Task

Proud/Excited

Sad

Other

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

What things do you see?What things do you see?

ReferencesReferencesDowney, Carolyn J., (2004) The Three Minute Classroom Walk-

Through: Changing School Supervisory Practice One Teacher at a Time

Background Photos downloaded from Flickr.com

Downey, Carolyn J., (2004) The Three Minute Classroom Walk-Through: Changing School Supervisory Practice One Teacher at a Time

Background Photos downloaded from Flickr.com