Observation-based frameworks of instructional quality differ largely in the approach and the purposes of their development, their theoretical underpinnings, the instructional aspects covered, their operationalization and measurement, as well as the existing evidence on reliability and validity. The current paper summarizes and reflects on these…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of email-delivered performance feedback to teachers working in inclusive early childhood classrooms. A concurrent multiple probe across-participants design was used to examine the relation between performance feedback delivered via email and teachers' use of play expansions. Results…

The purpose of this quantitative study was to research how school and principal demographics influence a principal's implementation of the walkthrough process. Principals from New Jersey were administered a survey to provide insight into how they implement the walkthrough process in their schools. The findings suggest that socioeconomic status and…

This paper discusses the challenges and lessons learned from conducting observations to measure the quality of classroom practice for a large-scale study of elementary teachers' mathematics instruction. Specifically, this paper shares our process for obtaining valid data for quality of elementary mathematics instruction; what we learned can inform…

In this study, we examined the scoring and generalizability assumptions of an Explicit Instruction (EI) special education teacher observation protocol using many-faceted Rasch measurement (MFRM). Video observations of classroom instruction from 48 special education teachers across four states were collected. External raters (n = 20) were trained…

This study investigated the effects of collaborative reflection (CR) on Iranian English language teachers' intercultural instructional practice. The data were gathered by observing the classroom instruction of four novice and experienced teachers before and after eight CR sessions. The result revealed that CR was an effective tool for improving…

Students tend to perform at the academic level expected of them. Although most expectation research has centered investigation of decontextualized teacher-student dyads to understand whether students behaviorally confirm their teacher's expectation, we now know that expectations operate at whole-group or system levels. Since underestimation is…

English Learners (ELs) are students whose native language is any language other than English. ELs participate in language acquisition programs throughout the United States to help the attainment of English proficiency. ELs are also expected to acquire the English language while performing at the same academic success as their native English…

This paper analyses the importance of culturally responsive teaching (CRT) in heterogeneous classrooms and proposes a comprehensive framework for teacher development programmes designed to improve effective instruction for various student groups. As classroom diversity increases, it is imperative to equip pre-service teachers with the requisite…

The Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) is a structured observation instrument. It has been developed to support high-quality early childhood inclusion of children with special educational needs and disabilities. The aim of this study is to examine the cultural validity of the instrument in Swedish preschools and to investigate its perceived…

Within classrooms, psychologists and teachers use direct behavior observation methods, systematic behavior observations (SBOs) and direct behavior ratings (DBRs), to gather information about students' behaviors for the purposes of making decisions related to diagnosis and classroom management or behavioral feedback respectively. Observers use SBOs…

Middle school students in an urban school district located in the northeastern United States struggled to improve their academic performance. In response to this problem, the superintendent initiated a districtwide professional learning community (PLC); however, students' test scores in five schools declined. The purpose of this basic qualitative…

The research note discusses various classroom observation tools used in early childhood classrooms and the degree to which they capture the facilitation of playful learning. We note that while all tools capture some aspects of play facilitation especially the preconditions for play, few tools directly measure techniques that solely facilitate…

In this paper, we analyze mathematics lessons using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), a standardized observation protocol that suggests that high-quality lessons are distinguished by the tenor and frequency of classroom interactions. Because the CLASS focuses on interactions, rather than the specifics of content teaching, it can be…

Meaningful growth in teacher practice comes when we invest in teacher-led, inquiry-based collaborative models where teachers get to roll up their sleeves and study what's really going on in classrooms. "Lab Class" introduces an observation-based professional learning design that helps teachers collaboratively plan, investigate, and…