Observation and Improvement Cycles

Develop a culture of quality peer-to-peer learning and demonstrate the specific impacts of school improvement work that are hard to capture in the metrics commonly used in accountability systems.

Our Effective Learning Observation (ELO) protocol is designed to focus on the collection of, and discussion about, the evidence of student learning in any observation context. The process is based on the assumption that at all times and in all school locations it is possible to gather information about the quality of student learning. The ELO process relies upon tangible evidence of learning collected as a direct result of observing what students are doing, saying, demonstrating or physically representing.

The ELO process focuses on teachers and leaders to be able to answer two very fundamental questions

Which students are learning most effectively and how do you know?
Which students are not learning as effectively and how do you know?

The ELO process supports the collection of evidence that proves that learning is taking place, enabling us to measure the impact of teaching

Leaders can quantify the success of PD implementation
Teachers can measure the success of differentiation strategies

The ELO process complements existing teacher evaluation processes

Providing ongoing feedback to teachers so that they make interim changes in practice that lead to improved outcomes for students
Allowing teachers to take risks and practice new ideas and strategies and receive real-time feedback that promotes confidence and skill

The ELO process cultivates a culture of quality peer-to-peer learning

Teachers benefit from structured and consistent peer observation and authentic feedback
Improvement efforts gain momentum through quality collaboration

Respond to the cultural needs of your communities

Develop engaging partnerships with families and the local community that foster effective learning
Focus on instructional approaches that target and empower student learning that is culturally responsive
Ensure all teachers have a clear understanding of the features of a culturally competent learning environment

Embed the conditions for continuous improvement

Develop data walls ensuring student performance data is understood and used throughout the school
Develop structures that support the planning of rigorous and challenging lessons aligned to state standards
Develop school-wide structures ensuring supportive discipline is administered in a measured and reasonable way to ensure socio-emotional needs of students are met
Share best practices through focused walk-throughs and the creation of classrooms that are centers of excellence
Develop systems and strategies to ensure that instructional time is maximized

St Cloud Area School District

“ELO changed how I look at planning and the language we use [with students].”

Co-teacher

Set up a call with one of our School Improvement Specialists

Arrange an informal chat with a member of the team to discuss how you might begin to address your specific issues and transform learning for your students.

The impact of our observation and feedback cycles work and related resources

CASE STUDIES

St Cloud Area School District

Co-teaching to support the transformation of classroom practice

Esperanza Charter School

Increasing English Language Arts proficiency by 50%

Clover Park School District

Developing more authentic collaboration among teachers and more distributive leadership

BLOGS

Engaging and fast-tracking your staff to more effective teaching

Embracing remote methods in school observation cycles

Why is Effective Learning Observation revolutionizing how schools assess and improve the quality of learning?