Teacher Observation Look Fors Sheet
MA DESE Teacher Observation Look-For Tool
Walkthrough & Formal Observation Evidence Collector • Standards I – IV
Evaluator Protocol
Educator
Observer
Grade & Content
Date & Time / Period
Rating Key for Each Piece:
M: Meets (Consistent / Proficient) PM: Partially Meets (Emerging / Inconsistent) DNM: Does Not Meet (Absent / Ineffective)
Standard I: Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment I-A, I-B, I-C
Instructional design, checks for understanding & adjustments
Teacher Instructional Actions
I-A-1 Subject & Standard Rigor
M PM DNM
Articulates standards-aligned objective; breaks down complex content accurately.
I-A-4 Well-Structured Lessons
M PM DNM
Explicit modeling, purposeful gradual release (I Do, We Do, You Do) & pacing.
I-B-2 Formative Assessment
M PM DNM
Systematic checks for understanding (whiteboards, exit tickets, targeted polling).
I-C-1 Responsive Practice Adjustment
M PM DNM
Pinpoints misconceptions immediately; reteaches or differentiates mid-flight.
Observable Student Evidence
Goal & Success Criteria Awareness
M PM DNM
Students articulate what they are learning and how they know they succeeded.
Exemplar & Rubric Utilization
M PM DNM
Actively consults rubrics, anchor charts, and mentor texts to self-assess work.
Formative Demonstration / CFU
M PM DNM
100% of students actively produce observable answers to formative tasks.
Self-Correction & Revision
M PM DNM
Applies immediate teacher/peer feedback to edit, improve, and correct work.
Standard I Qualitative Evidence & Timestamps: Record verbatim prompts, CFU ratios, and lesson transitions
[Factual observations: instructional delivery, checks for understanding, and adjustments made...]
Standard II: Teaching All Students (Instruction & Climate) II-A, II-B
Cognitive lift, student discourse & productive classroom norms
Teacher Instructional Moves
II-A-1 Quality of Delivery
M PM DNM
Poses high-order questions (Bloom/DOK 3-4); enforces generous wait time (3-5s).
II-A-2 Student Engagement Routines
M PM DNM
Structures collaborative discourse (Turn-and-Talk, debate, Think-Pair-Share).
II-B-1 Safe & Respectful Environment
M PM DNM
Fosters psychological safety; normalizes mistakes as essential learning steps.
II-B-2 Collaborative Structures
M PM DNM
Assigns clear team roles, expectations, and mutual accountability protocols.
Student Engagement & Discourse
Cognitive Lift & Justification
M PM DNM
Students do the heavy intellectual thinking—explaining logic and citing evidence.
Peer-to-Peer Academic Talk
M PM DNM
Students build upon, clarify, or critique classmate ideas using discipline talk.
Equitable Active Participation
M PM DNM
High on-task ratio across all students; no passive opt-out or bystander effect.
Smooth Modality Transitions
M PM DNM
Transitions efficiently between independent, partner, and group work routines.
Standard II (Part 1) Low-Inference Dialogue & Talk Log: Record who speaks, frequency of student voice, and depth of questioning
[Factual observations: student quotes, ratio of teacher-to-student talk, and peer interactions...]
Massachusetts DESE Educator Evaluation Framework • Rating: M = Meets, PM = Partially Meets, DNM = Does Not Meet Page 1 of 2 • Standards I & II (Instruction & Climate)
Equity, Cultural Proficiency & Professional Practice
M: Meets PM: Partially Meets DNM: Does Not Meet
Standard II: Equity, Access & High Expectations II-C, II-D
Scaffolding, multilingual learners, SWD & productive struggle
Universal Access & Differentiation
II-C-1 Respecting Student Differences
M PM DNM
Affirms student cultures, linguistic assets; selects culturally responsive texts.
II-C-2 Universal Design & Scaffolds
M PM DNM
Integrates sentence stems, graphic organizers, visuals, and assistive technology.
II-D-1 High Academic Expectations
M PM DNM
Refuses to lower rigor; prompts students through productive struggle.
Student Access & Ownership Evidence
Independent Scaffold Navigation
M PM DNM
Multilingual learners and SWD independently utilize tools to access grade tasks.
Stamina in Productive Struggle
M PM DNM
Persists with complex problem solving without learned helplessness.
Equitable Demographic Voice
M PM DNM
Student contributions and leadership reflect proportional student demographics.
Standard III: Family Engagement III-A, III-B, III-C
III-A-1 Two-Way Engagement
M PM DNM
Proactive communication on goals, expectations & student progress.
III-B-1 Family Partnership
M PM DNM
Collaborates with families on home supports and student interventions.
III-C-1 Culturally Responsive Comms
M PM DNM
Translates essential notices; values linguistic and cultural diversity.
Family Artifacts / Logs:
[LMS updates, parent contact log, conference summaries...]
Standard IV: Professional Culture IV-A, IV-C, IV-F
IV-A-1 Reflective Practice
M PM DNM
Critically analyzes lesson efficacy; identifies clear pedagogical adjustments.
IV-C-1 Professional Collaboration
M PM DNM
Actively shares data and common assessments in grade/dept PLCs.
IV-F-2 Continuous Learning
M PM DNM
Welcomes evaluative feedback; rapidly implements action steps.
Professional Artifacts / Logs:
[PLC minutes, data meeting logs, professional goal reflections...]
Student Learning Evidence Triangulation What did students SAY, DO, and PRODUCE during this visit?
1. What Students Said
M PM DNM
Academic vocabulary, questioning, peer logic.
[Record student quotes & verbal reasoning...]
2. What Students Did
M PM DNM
Physical engagement, collaboration routines, stamina.
[Record physical behaviors & task engagement...]
3. What Students Produced
M PM DNM
Work samples, notebooks, exit tickets, models.
[Record written accuracy & mastery rates...]
Observation Synthesis & Instructional Coaching Prompts DESE Feedback Cycle Protocol
Commendation (Evidence of Proficient or Exemplary Practice) Standard / Indicator: ________
[Highlight specific instructional move and its measurable positive impact on student learning...]
High-Leverage Growth Area & Bite-Sized Action Step Target Indicator: ________
[Define what the educator will implement within 48 hours to accelerate student learning...]
Observer Signature
Educator Signature
Post-Observation Conference Date
Adapted from MA DESE Model System for Educator Evaluation • Standards I, II, III, & IV Page 2 of 2 • Evidence Synthesis & Growth