The DCI Implementation Survey is a list of action steps that districts are expected to accomplish. This checklist outlines action steps critical for systems-level change.

With the Missouri Collaborative Work initiative, there is a strong commitment to providing high quality professional development to all participating educators. High quality professional development involves both training and coaching. In Missouri, we collect observation data of training and coaching to determine the extent to which standards of quality are met and then conduct follow-up feedback conversations with trainers/coaches to discuss ways of improving the professional development experience.

Observation checklists are used by Collaborative Work State Implementation Specialists as the instruments for guiding the observation and recording observational notes. Both instruments are a synthesis of the literature on adult learners, training, and coaching. Both instruments have been field tested and subsequently revised. Shared Understandings documents were developed to ensure training and coaching observation are evaluated using consistent criteria for high quality.

The Observation Checklist for High Quality Professional Development Training was designed to be completed by an observer to determine the level of quality of professional development training. It can also be used to provide ongoing feedback and coaching to peers who provide professional development training. Furthermore, it can be used as a guidance document when designing or revising professional development. The tool represents a compilation of research-identified indicators that should be present in high quality professional development. Professional development training with a maximum of one item missed per domain on the checklist can be considered high quality.

Domains

• Preparation
• Introduction
• Demonstration
• Engagement
• Evaluation
• Mastery

Noonan, P., Langham, A., & Gaumer Erickson, A. (2013). Observation checklist for high-quality professional development in education. Center for Research on Learning, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.

This Observation Checklist for High Quality Professional Development Coaching checklist is designed to be completed by an observer to determine the quality of regional implementation coaching. This checklist can also be used for self-assessment of fidelity. Fidelity should be monitored “early and often” (Harn, Parisi, & Stoolmiller, 2013). This checklist is a companion to the Observation Checklist for High Quality Professional Development Training. The criteria or threshold for fidelity as measured on this checklist is 11 out of 12 items reported to be observed.

Domains

• Preparation
• Feedback & Solution Dialogue
• Structure

Jenson, R., Noonan, P., & Gaumer Erickson, A. (2013). Observation checklist for high-quality professional development regional implementation coaching. UMKC Institute for Human Development, Kansas City, MO.