digiCOACH - Calibration Walkthroughs

Ensuring Consistency in Walkthrough Data

The Importance of Calibration Walkthroughs

Classroom walkthroughs are a powerful tool for improving instructional practices, but their impact depends on the consistency and reliability of the data collected. Without a shared understanding of what to look for and how to interpret classroom practices, data collected in walkthroughs may become scattered or unreliable, making it difficult to drive meaningful instructional improvements.

Beyond just improving data reliability, Calibration Walkthroughs also foster:

Stronger Team Collaboration: Observers engage in meaningful discussions about instructional practices, which leads to deeper professional learning and alignment on what constitutes effective teaching.

Increased Observer Confidence: When observers are normed in their assessments, they feel more confident in their ability to provide constructive, fair, and actionable feedback.

More Meaningful Professional Development: With normed data, schools can identify trends more accurately and tailor professional learning to address genuine instructional needs.

School leaders meeting to discuss a calibration after a walkthrough

The Calibration Process

Calibration Walks can take on different formats depending on the needs and logistics of a school or district. While the ideal method involves live classroom observations, calibration can also happen using recorded lessons, from your own campus or online videos. Regardless of the format, the goal remains the same, ensuring observers are in sync and providing consistent, reliable feedback to teachers.

1. Setting a Focus Beforehand

Before a walkthrough, observers should define the specific instructional strategies or look-fors they will assess. Having a clear focus ensures that all observers are aligned in what they are evaluating, reducing subjectivity and increasing reliability.

2. Conducting the Walkthroughs

Observers visit classrooms, either together or separately, to collect data on the predetermined focus areas. If conducting the walkthroughs in groups, silent observation is key to ensuring independent assessments before discussing findings.

3. Debriefing and Norming

Following the walkthroughs, a structured debrief session allows observers to:

✅ Compare and discuss their observations
✅ Identify areas of agreement and discrepancies
✅ Align expectations for future observations
✅ Adjust training and professional development accordingly

This reflection and discussion phase is crucial for increasing Inter-Rater Reliability and ensuring that future walkthroughs yield the most consistent results.

The Importance of Inter-Rater Reliability (IRR)

One of the key goals of Calibration Walkthroughs is to establish Inter-Rater Reliability (IRR)—a measure of how consistently multiple people rate or assess the same classroom practices. High IRR ensures that observations are objective and standardized, preventing discrepancies that could undermine data-driven decisions.

Videos to Support Virtual Calibration

Our team has generated a YouTube playlist of recorded lesson that school teams can use for calibration exercises.
Click to Watch and Calibrate Now

Are you ready to strengthen your observation process and ensure consistency in your walkthrough data? Our experienced digiCOACH team is here to help you calibrate, align your observers, and maximize the impact of your coaching. Let’s work together to bring clarity, reliability, and actionable insights to your classroom observations, one walkthrough at a time.

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