I was reading a dissertation published in 2007 by Guy Rossi at the University of Pittsburg entitled, The Classroom Walkthrough: The Perceptions of Elementary School Principals on its Impact on Student Achievement. His results are consistent from what research and data generated from our H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T. walkthroughs are revealing -- focused classroom walkthroughs do impact instruction.
Key findings of Rossi's study indicated that the classroom walkthrough did affect instructional
practices and student achievement from the perspective of the elementary school principals. The study showed that teachers were sharing and more aware of best practices, principals were more aware of what is occurring in the classrooms, principals have meaningful data to share with teachers, and principals were better-informed instructional leaders. The entire dissertation is located at the following URL: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/8703/1/Rossi_ETD_7-29-07.pdf.
The work campus administrators do as instructional leaders cannot be underestimated. Teachers want to hear what their administrators have to say especially after completing a walkthrough. My hope is that this study provides one more piece of evidence as to the efficacy of classroom walkthroughs for improving teaching and learning on your campus.
