Teacher Observation Instructions
Overview
College Credit Plus legislation requires institutions to conduct at least one full-period classroom observation of each course taught by an approved secondary teacher. While the legislation minimally requires this observation to be completed during the first term or year that a secondary instructor teaches the course, Ohio University will require this observation to be completed any time a high school instructor instructs a university course.
The following guidelines and instructions should be followed by faculty mentors conducting a College Credit Plus course observation.
Scheduling the Observation
The secondary school building administrator, in most cases the principal or assistant principal, must be notified at least 24 hours in advance of when each teacher observation is expected to occur.
- If multiple sections of the same course are taught by the same approved teacher in the same or different secondary buildings, then only one observation is required.
- If multiple section of the same course are taught by different approved teachers in the same or different secondary buildings, then each approved teacher must be observed.
Classroom observations should take place between the beginning of the third (3rd) and the end of the fifth (5th) week of the course.
Timeframe for Response and Feedback
The faculty mentor conducting the observation must provide the secondary instructor with verbal and written feedback regarding the instruction of the Ohio University course, and are encouraged to recommend professional development resources as appropriate. These observations are meant to be formative; therefore, feedback should be provided in a timely manner: within one (1) week of the conducted observation.
Process of Observation
Faculty mentors will utilize either the academic department’s standard observation form (if available) or the College Credit Plus Teacher Observation Form. Forms should be returned to the Athens academic department and/or regional campus Dean. Copies of the form should be provided to the teacher, Assistant Director for Dual Enrollment Programs, and Associate Vice Provost for Regional Higher Education and Partnerships if the section is tied to a regional campus.
Expectations of Use of Observation
The goal of the course observation is not to be punitive, but rather, to provide positive feedback and professional critique on the delivery and instruction of the course content. However, observations should provide an opportunity to relay honest and fair reflection of any improvements that should be made to the course. The results of teacher observations will be one element that will be considered when revaluating a teacher for future approval to teach Ohio University coursework.