On Average, Average Tells You Nothing

Most commercial classroom observation systems (and almost every homemade system) aggregate all the classroom observations conducted over the course of the year and presents either the average of all the collected data or a frequency chart of all the collected data.  This seems objective and scientific and school leaders often base their evaluation of staff on these reports.  But really, these types of reports tell you nothing.

Think about it, every observation is weighted equally, regardless of when it occurred or the level of staff training / support.  And this definitely does not present any representation of growth or improvement. 

Instead, what is needed is observation data presented in a series of date windows.  This will show movement / growth / improvement over time.  Data presented in this manner lends itself to staff coaching and motivation.  Which is how classroom observation data should be used. 

And what classroom observation system does this better than any other...

PowerWalks.   

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

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