Formal Observations are typically completed once per year for teachers who are Professional Employees (tenured) and twice per year for teachers who are Temporary Professional Employees (non-tenured).

Formal Observations are initiated by the supervisor and include a pre-observation questionnaire, pre-observation conference, classroom observation, post-observation questionnaire, self-assessment rubric, observation summary form, and post-observation conference.

Table of Contents

• Tutorials
• Step-by-Step Guide
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tutorials

Slideshow: Formal Observations - Overview for Teachers/NTPEs 

Slideshow: Formal Observations - Overview for Principals/Supervisors 

Step-by-Step Guide

Pre-Observation

Step 1 - Supervisor creates a Formal Observation, begins the Pre-Observation Questionnaire, and schedules a conference

    Note: The Pre-Observation Questionnaire can be skipped

Step 2 - Employee completes the Pre-Observation Questionnaire.... and Submits. Then, the employee and supervisor meet for the Pre-Observation Conference

Observation

Step 3 - Supervisor completes classroom observation and scripts evidence... and Submits

Step 4 - Employee reviews evidence (adds comments if needed)... and Submits

Post-Observation

Step 5 - Employee completes the Post-Observation Questionnaire... and Submits

Step 6 - Employee completes the Self-Assessment Rubric... and Submits

Step 7 - Supervisor reviews and completes the Self-Assessment Rubric... and Submits. Then, the employee and supervisor meet for the Post-Observation Conference

Step 8 - Supervisor completes Observation Summary Form... and Submits

Step 9 - Employee reviews Observation Summary Form and authenticates the observation

Step 10 - Supervisor authenticates the observation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: What is a Formal Observation?
• Q: Who initiates a Formal Observation?
• Q: What questions are included in a Formal Observation?
• Q: What can't I submit my Formal Observation?
• Q: Is an Unannounced Observation still considered a Formal Observation?
• Q: Why can't I open the Observation Summary?
• Q: What is a "Blind Rating"? Does that mean the Employee does not see the Supervisor's rating?
• Q: What can a Supervisor do if the Employee does not authenticate?
• Q: Why is the rubric language incorrect for this user?
• Q: How can I view the Formal Observation component scores when completing a 13 Form?

Q: What is a Formal Observation?

Formal Observations are a required component of the Educator Effectiveness evaluation process. The evidence gathered and component ratings earned during this comprehensive process contribute to the Observation & Practice portion of the summative 13 rating form. 

Formal Observations can be used with teachers and NTPEs. Typically, they are completed once per year for teachers who are Professional Employees (tenured) and twice per year for teachers who are Temporary Professional Employees (non-tenured). For tenured teachers, this may vary by LEA, depending upon whether the LEA has a Differentiated Supervision cycle. 

For more information on Act 13, see below:

• What Teachers Should Know about Act 13 and PAETEP 
  
• What Principals Should Know About Act 13 and PAETEP
  
• What NTPEs Should Know About Act 13 and PAETEP

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket

Q: Who initiates a Formal Observation?

A Formal Observation is initiated by the Supervisor. Formal Observations can be announced or unannounced. In both cases, the Supervisor begins the observation by navigating to the employee's user summary page, and creating the formal observation. 

When creating the formal observation for an employee, it is important to ensure that the correct user role is selected (see below). The chosen role will determine the language used in the evaluation rubric.

Once the formal observation is created, you can access the observation's dashboard. From the dashboard, you can either begin the Pre-Observation Questionnaire for an announced observation, or skip it for an unannounced observation (see below).

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket

Q: What is included in a Formal Observation?

Formal Observations include the following:

• Pre-observation questionnaire (Click link to view questionnaire)
• Pre-observation conference
• Classroom observation
• Post-observation questionnaire (Click link to view questionnaire)
• Self-assessment rubric
• Observation summary form
• Post-observation conference
• Authentication

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket

Q: What can't I submit my Formal Observation?

Please refer to our Step-by-Step Guide for details as to what steps must be taken in order to submit each portion of a Formal Observation. Note that signatures from both the Employee and Supervisor are required before completing the formal observation.

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket

Q: Is an Unannounced Observation still considered a Formal Observation?

Yes. An Unannounced Observation is still considered a Formal Observation. To initiate an Unannounced Observation, skip the Pre-Observation Questionnaire at the start of a Formal Observation (see below).

When a Formal Observation is created, and the Pre-Observation step is skipped, the observation will be labeled as "Unannounced" on the user summary page (see below). 

The only difference between an announced and unannounced formal observation is whether or not the Pre-Observation stage was included. Either way, the observation will still contribute to the Observation & Practice portion of the 13 Form.

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket

Q: Why can't I open the Observation Summary?

In order for the Observation Summary Form to open and allow the flow of the Observation to continue, all of the observation components prior to this must be completed and submitted. The completion of the component will be indicated with text found just below each component on the Formal observation Dashboard (see below).

If the Post-Observation Questionnaire has not been completed and successfully submitted by the employee, and the rating has not yet been completed and submitted, the Observation Summary Form will not "open" and allow the Supervisor to continue. If the Supervisor would like to send a reminder to the Employee to complete the Post-Observation Questionnaire, they can click on "Nudge" (see below) from their User Summary page, and a reminder will be forwarded to the teacher via email.

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket

Q: What is a "Blind Rating"?  Does that mean the Employee does not see the Supervisor's rating?

The Blind Rating option for a rubric is used when a Supervisor would like to give an Employee ratings without the influence of that Employee's self-rated scores. When a rubric is viewed using the blind rating, the employee's chosen self-ratings will not be visible (see below).

Formal Observation Rubric with Blind Rating On

Formal Observation Rubric with Blind Rating Off

Regardless of what configurations are used, the Employee will be able to see the rubric ratings once both parties (Employee and Supervisor) have submitted.

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket

Q: What can a Supervisor do if the Employee does not authenticate?

A Formal Observation cannot be completed until it is authenticated by both Employee and Supervisor. However, if an Employee does not authenticate the observation, Supervisors have the option to "Override" the Employee's authentication stage. This option can be found on the Formal Observation Dashboard (see below).

Once completed, the component scores from this observation will be visible in the quick view panel of a 13 form.

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket

Q: Why is the rubric language incorrect for this user?

The language used in the rubric of a Formal Observation is determined by the chosen User Role. When creating a Formal observation for an employee, it is important to ensure that the correct user role is selected (see below). Once the observation is created this selection cannot be changed.

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket

Q: How can I view the Formal Observation component scores when completing a 13 Form?

A Formal Observation's component ratings will be visible in the quick view panel of a 13 form under the Domain headers. See image below for details.

Note that only completed observations will populate this panel. Please ensure that your Formal Observation is closed and that both the Employee and Supervisor have provided authentication.

If you still need support, please Submit a Ticket