55% of teachers say that observations and feedback help in the classroom

A Teacher Tapp survey revealed that 55% of teachers believe observations and feedback contribute to improving their practice. This announcement was made in a survey conducted on April 11.

According to the survey, over one in five middle and high school teachers (22%) reported being asked to observe a colleague without clear guidance, which is higher than the 14% of elementary teachers who reported the same. Additionally, the majority of teachers engaged in professional development through online courses or webinars, with 85% of elementary and 74% of middle/high school teachers participating. Fewer teachers participated in formal qualifications or community-based learning experiences.

Research from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) indicates that frequent and specific observations are associated with improved teacher performance. Teachers who received four or more observations per year reported more positive perceptions of their district's evaluation system compared to those observed less frequently. Regular, targeted feedback from these observations has been linked to enhancements in classroom instruction and student achievement.

A study published in Language Testing in Asia found that both written and verbal corrective feedback during formative assessments significantly improved students' academic performance and reduced their academic anxiety. This underscores the importance of providing timely and constructive feedback to teachers following observations, as it can have a direct impact on student outcomes.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports that only 56% of teachers across member countries received training in the use of technology for teaching. Furthermore, about 18% of teachers expressed a high need for professional development in ICT skills, pointing to a gap in this area. Addressing this need is essential for integrating digital tools effectively into the classroom.

Teacher Tapp is a daily survey platform that collects real-time insights from educators across the United States. By capturing the direct experiences of teachers, it delivers timely data on key issues in education. The platform supports policymakers and school leaders with frontline perspectives on classroom challenges and emerging trends.