Class Observation as a Tool for Competent Teacher Support: Polish Experience and Other EU Countries

Abstract

One of the most effective forms of initiating changes in teacher competences may be an observation – both taking the form of an evaluation visit and a peer observation – ending with factualfeedback (supervision). This kind of process of supporting a teacher's competence needs, amongothers a well thought-out tool thanks to which the observer will be able to constructively addressmany aspects of the teacher's work. The experience of Polish and selected EU countries shows thatthe construction of teacher competence support tools, despite common elements, differs due to thespecificity and place of work of the teacher and the level of professional competence. In addition,the tools taking into account the different interests of school management policy should be a carefully thought-out construct. Improving this tool is not a one-time act. Analysis of tools for evaluation visits/peer observations from various EU countries, from the perspective of the key objectivesof teacher evaluation, leads to the implicit conclusion that the observed teacher benefits more inprofessional development when observation is more benevolent partner counseling than unpleasantinspection of teacher compliance with teaching procedures. This applies to teachers at every stageof their professional development.