Professional Growth Plan Committee Information Session January, 2008 Expectations for Classroom Observations by School Leaders

Leadership Training Administrator Training by the New Teacher Center in Santa Cruz, California: July- December, 2007  All Principals and Assistant Principals  Selected Teacher Leaders

Training Components Classroom Observations Use of the Professional Qualities and Responsibilities to frame the work Pre-conferencing Data gathering tools for observation- not just a check list. Providing teachers feedback on the observation Follow-up observations

Training Components Continued…. Conferencing skills Planning for a post-conference Facilitating teacher reflection Use of “coaching” language Deciding upon next steps

Changes in the Timeline 1.Probationary Teachers: Observed twice before March 1, Continuing Contract Teachers: Observed once during the school year.

Using Classroom “Walkabouts” Helps leaders be knowledgeable about day- to-day classroom practice Supports gathering of data about implementation of school focus activities Provides an opportunity to look at classroom practice in aggregate

Walk-abouts Continued Should NOT be used as a substitute for a full classroom observation Can link the walk-throughs to individual and group PGPs

The Professional Growth Plan  Should be linked to the Professional Qualities and Responsibilities