Walk-Throughs

Walk-throughs are a technique used by principals to observe student work in the classroom environment in a non-threatening way. Using a focus question to guide the walk-through, visitors to classrooms look for observable evidence of teaching practice and learning results to support inquiry. This process provides data for reflection, dialogue between the principal and teacher, and decision-making that improves student learning.

Walk-throughs are non-evaluative. They are the basis for questions, observations, and professional dialogue in ways that turn inquiry into action. They link the philosophical beliefs that the school has embraced -- and plans to which the school has committed -- with observable change at the classroom and student level.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM EDUCATION WORLD:

• Walk-Throughs Are On the Move!
• Making Teacher Evaluations Work.

OTHER RESOURCES:

• The Principals' Partnership: Leadership by Walking Around: Walkthroughs and Instructional Improvement
  This Principal Partnership article focuses on recent research about the walk-through approach.
• Using the Classroom Walk-Through as an Instructional Leadership Strategy
  Classroom walk-throughs can be an important strategy to facilitate discussions among principals and teachers about classroom practice. (From the Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement, 2007)
• National Staff Development Council: Seeing Through New Eyes: Walk Throughs Offer New Way to View Schools
  This National Staff Development Council article focuses on how walk-throughs impacted teacher instruction and student writing at Haas Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas. Walk-throughs were used to provide an entire school with feedback.

Article by Ellen R. Delisio
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