Charlotte Danielson

Definition

Charlotte Danielson is an educational researcher best known for her work on teacher evaluation and instructional practice, particularly through her Framework for Teaching. This framework provides a comprehensive structure for evaluating teacher effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of observation and feedback in improving teaching quality and student learning outcomes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Framework for Teaching consists of four domains: Planning and Preparation, Classroom Environment, Instruction, and Professional Responsibilities, each encompassing various components of effective teaching.
2. Charlotte Danielson's work emphasizes that effective feedback from observations can significantly improve teaching practices and student outcomes.
3. Her framework is widely adopted across various educational systems as a basis for both formative and summative evaluations of teachers.
4. The focus of the Danielson Framework on self-reflection encourages teachers to continually assess their own practice and strive for improvement.
5. Danielson's approach highlights the collaborative nature of professional development, suggesting that peer observations and feedback can enhance teacher effectiveness.

Review Questions

• How does Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Teaching enhance the process of teacher observation?
  • Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Teaching enhances teacher observation by providing a structured and clear set of criteria that observers can use to evaluate teaching practices. By categorizing effective teaching into distinct domains and components, the framework allows observers to focus on specific areas of practice during observations. This structured approach facilitates meaningful discussions about teaching strengths and areas for improvement, ultimately leading to enhanced instructional quality.
• What role does feedback play in Charlotte Danielson's approach to teacher evaluation?
  • Feedback is a central component of Charlotte Danielson's approach to teacher evaluation, as it informs teachers about their performance based on observed practices. Effective feedback is specific, actionable, and rooted in the established criteria of the Framework for Teaching. By providing constructive feedback after observations, educators can better understand their strengths and areas needing development, which encourages continuous professional growth and improves overall teaching effectiveness.
• Evaluate the impact of the Danielson Framework on teacher professional development programs within educational institutions.
  • The Danielson Framework has significantly impacted teacher professional development programs by offering a clear model for effective teaching that institutions can adopt. Its structured approach fosters a culture of reflection and collaboration among teachers, allowing them to engage in peer observations and discussions based on shared criteria. By aligning professional development initiatives with the framework, schools can ensure that their training efforts are focused on evidence-based practices, ultimately leading to improved teaching quality and student achievement.

Related terms

Framework for Teaching: A research-based set of components of effective teaching, which provides a common language for evaluating and improving teacher performance.

Teacher Evaluation: The process of assessing a teacher's performance and effectiveness in the classroom, often used to inform professional development and instructional improvement.

Observation Protocols: Systematic methods used to observe and record classroom practices, providing a basis for feedback and evaluation in educational settings.