Six essential teaching competencies and observable characteristics are outlined to help administrators evaluate special education teachers. Administrators are urged to use evaluation as an inservice tool rather than a weapon. The competencies include the following: (1) accurate and effective communication in the content area and professional…

Curriculum, instruction, classroom climate, enhancement of self-esteem, and organizing for teaching are readily evaluated by using this manual for teacher evaluation. Five performance areas outlined in part 1 list benchmark skills associated with sound teaching skills: (1) proficiency with curriculum; (2) evaluating student growth; (3) preparation…

This second of two articles on questioning strategies and skills explores for principals evaluating teaching the characteristics of good questions, to dos and don'ts in questioning, and the research on questioning. (CJH)

This book provides instructional leaders with guidance and insight to help them work successfully with teachers to improve classroom teaching and learning. It goes beyond the basics of supervision to place the work of instructional leadership within the context of whole-school improvement. The book offers scenarios describing interactions with…

Teacher quality can be improved through teacher evaluation, intervention programs, incentives or rewards, and counseling. In the Toledo, Ohio, peer evaluation program, evaluation and staff development go hand in hand. The program was developed through a collaborative and cooperative process and uses teacher consultants to evaluate and supervise…

Supervision and evaluation, contained within a due process framework, are beneficial to both the teacher and the educational administrator. (LH)

This paper investigates the problem of developing judicially sound and workable standards for dismissing incompetent teachers. Numerous cases are cited to support the contention that there is a desperate need for stable standards of performance that will have the qualities necessary to withstand judicial scrutiny: (1) required teacher knowledge,…

The strategy of diagnostic supervision, and the diagnostic conference, are outlined in this paper. Diagnostic supervision involves the supervisor and teachers in a process of recognizing needs, stating problems, and agreeing on objectives for the teachers' instructional improvement. The diagnostic conference, one tool used within the process,…

Presents experiments on the relationship between teacher intensity and levels of student attentiveness. Reports that increased levels of teacher intensity lead to greater student attentiveness. Discusses the implications of these finding for general music instruction. Identifies elements of effective teaching. (RW)

A study involved 20 teachers who volunteered to use the horizontal evaluation model. Described are three strong themes that emerged: (1) teachers altered their views about evaluation; (2) teachers challenged the prevailing school practice rationality; and (3) teachers took some modest steps toward changing school relations. (SI)

Discusses new strategies for conceptualizing teacher effectiveness at the elementary/secondary levels, to be used as a basis for improving the usefulness of research on teacher effectiveness. The aim is to shift away from one-dimensional assessment of individual teachers toward a multidimensional approach that can inform improvement of both…

Humor is an important tool for the teacher in college classrooms. Generally, laughter is a great benefit in anyone's life, having even physiological influence. Laughter reduces stress and may facilitate creativity. However, the use of humor can both enhance and hinder the learning process. Various researchers have tried to identify structures,…

The Arizona Lesson Observation and Evaluation (ALOE) system of evaluating teaching is presented. ALOE was developed from Arizona adaptations of the Georgia Teacher Performance Assessment Instruments and, with G. Taylor's "Functional Elements Analysis of Teaching Skills" (FEATS), forms an integrated observation package which allows…

Presents a teacher evaluation model based on the use of an effective teaching criteria list. Includes two schematic figures. (MD)

This book joins instructional design as the axis of school reform with collaborative observation as the proven method to sustain teacher growth and renewal. The acronym COMPASS (Collaborative Observation for Monitoring Practices to Achieve Sustained School reform) is used. The book details a four-part observation process, each component of which…