The Relationship Between Formative and Summative Observations

There is this ongoing belief among too many campus administrators that formative and summative classroom observations (and the subsequent data collected) can be co-mingled.  Let me be clear on this, this bad practice and wrong thinking.

Yes, formative and summative observation processes must be aligned.  After all. to be meaningful, skill enhancement and practice should impact the bottom line.

Yes, formative and summative observation processes must be symbiotic.  Not only must skill enhancement and practice impact the bottom line, end results must inform teacher and leader what skills and practices need to be enhanced, excised and/or honed.

But most importantly, formative and summative observation processes MUST be INDEPENDENT.

Otherwise, EVERYTHING is Summative.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

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