Post written by Robert J. Marzano and Michael D. Toth
In Teacher Evaluation That Makes a Difference, our recommendations for best practices are based on the assumption that teacher evaluation should have two purposes—development and measurement—but that development should be the more important of the two. If districts and schools share this perspective, then they must provide teachers with direct support in their efforts to improve.
Our recommendations are derived from three primary sources: Effective Supervision, Becoming a Reflective Teacher, and Coaching Classroom Instruction. We believe there are at least five direct actions that districts and schools can take to support teacher growth:
- Begin with a teacher self-audit.
- Keep track of progress.
- Use instructional rounds.
- Use online professional learning communities (PLCs).
- Provide coaching.
Here, we will take a closer look at how to use instructional rounds to support teacher growth.
Focusing on Problems of Practice
Instructional rounds are among the most valuable tools a school or district can employ to help teachers develop their pedagogical skills and cultivate a culture of collaboration. Administrators, teacher supervisors, and instructional coaches often use them "to focus on a common problem of practice that cuts across all