Teacher Evaluation System - Polk County School District

Observation Implementation Practices and Observation Instruments
The Polk County Observation Instruments are a comprehensive data collection and management
system that report real‐time data from classroom walkthroughs, informal observations, and formal
observations. Using efficient electronic tools and research‐based content resources, the Polk County
Observation Instruments enable administrators to focus on instructional leadership while maintaining
compliance with state and district requirements as well as aligning to Race to the Top’s requirements
related to classroom observation, monitoring, professional development, and reporting. Feedback will
be provided to teachers following classroom observations to ensure a transparent and effective
ongoing communication process.
The Global Observation Instrument (GOI) can be used for administrative classroom walkthroughs,
informal observations, and formal observations. Observable EPCs (Educator Accomplished Practices)
for each of the four domains are listed to guide the observer. Using the rubrics, the administrator
rates observed practices pertaining to each descriptor as highly effective, effective, needs
improvement/developing, or unsatisfactory. Space for feedback allows the administrator to articulate
the rationale for the rating and/or to provide comments related to the observation. Teachers receive
an electronic copy of the observation instrument in order to expedite timely feedback and to enable a
reflective process pertaining to their performance status. The observation data gathered electronically,
throughout the school year from both the Global and Focused Observation Instruments provides the
primary source of information to be applied when rating the teacher on the observable elements of an
EPC.
Calculation of Observable EPC Ratings
An Improvement Model for 2011‐2012 teacher evaluations will consist of three weighted observation
processes: Walkthroughs, Informal and Formal. When calculating a final rating for each EPC,
completed Walkthrough Observations will account for 25%, completed Informal Observations will
account for 25%, and completed Formal Observations will account for 50%. Further, weighting will be
established for all observations which place less emphasis on observations conducted nearer the
beginning of the school year and progresses with greater weight given to those conducted nearer the
final rating. Weighting for Walkthrough Observations will reflect specific time periods progressing
from 3% in the first time period, 5% in the second time period, 7% in the third time period, and 10% in
the last time period. Similar progressive weighting will be established where multiple Informal or
Formal Observations are completed. The formula will generate final EPC ratings of Highly Effective,
Effective, Needs Improvement/Developing, or Unsatisfactory.
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