Learn more about the Best Foot Forward project.

1. Digital Video:
Fast Forwarding Teacher Evaluations

2. Why are observations so challenging
to implement?
• Districts struggle to train principals to provide
reliable ratings based on clear standards.
• Principals struggle to find the time to do all of their
observations and have productive discussions with
teachers based on their observations.
• Teachers need to be able to see their own strengths
and weaknesses reflected in the observation results.
Notes can be inadequate reflection tool.

3. How might video improve observations?
Better Conversations
• Post-observation
conversations can focus more
effectively on growth.
Score Reliability
• Video can make observations
fairer and more reliable.
Time/Cost Efficiency
• Principals can time-shift
observations to quieter times
of the day or week.
• Principals can avoid scripting.
Relevant Feedback
• Video can make it easier to
involve content experts from
outside the schools.

4. What is “Best Foot Forward”?
Best Foot Forward Philosophy
The most promising way to implement
video observations for evaluation
purposes is to hand control of the
camera over to teachers and let them
film and select what the observer scores.

5. 5
January – August 2013 September 2013 – August 2015
PHASE 1
Engineering
Solutions
PHASE 2
Randomized
Experiment
How are we testing video’s impact?
• What video setup works?
• What challenges will participants
face?
• What benefits will video bring?

6. What do we want to know?
Does digital video provide more effective feedback to
teachers than in-person observations?
Do video observations predict student achievement
across different state tests and district/state contexts?
Under what conditions does digital video become a
cost-effective replacement for in-person
observations?
Do teachers and administrators prefer video
observations?

7. How will we test our hypothesis?
Treatment Schools
 3 administrator video
observations replace
required in-person
observations
 2 video observations
from a virtual coach
 Student surveys
Control Schools
 In-person
observations, as usual
 Peer support, as usual
 Student surveys

8. Where is the Best Foot Forward project?
15,000+ Students
400+ Teachers
150 Admins
10 Districts
6 States
Pilot Study Impact Evaluation