How classroom observation is done for SY 2020-2021

For SY 2020-2021 many teachers are asking how are classroom observations be conducted while classes are being conducted remotely?

How are teachers to be observed if they are using self learning modules in the delivery of the lessons?

DepEd Memorandum DM-PHROD-2021-0010 or the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Results-based Performance Management System (RPMS) for School Year 2020-2021 provides the answer to those questions.

Before anything else, it is important to note that some of the elements in classroom observations last school year is still true today:

• Classroom observations are planned activities and observers are not to do surprise observations
• A Classroom observation may be done by a sole observer or up to three observers
• Observers could a Master Teacher, Head Teacher, Principal, Teacher-In-Charge, or Officer-In-Charge of school
• Classroom Observation Tool (COT) and Inter-observer Agreement Form are to be used where the teacher is to be rated by the observer/s
• A post-conference shall be conducted after each classroom observation
• Rating in the COT are part of the performance rating through the IPCRF

There are also some changes and new guidelines. The following are the changes in the classroom observation:

• The COT now only has 3 indicators
• Teachers are only required to have two (2) classroom observations througout the School Year instead of the usual 4

So how are classroom observations to be conducted?

In the guidelines, there are three (3) available for a teacher who would undergo classroom observation. These are:

1. Online Observations applied to teachers who adopts online synchronous learning regardless of the number of classes and learners
2. Observation of a video lesson shall be considered when option 1 is not possible. The video lesson must be based from the MELC and has been used as instructional material in the delivery of lessons. The guidelines states that "a teacher can use any recording device to record himself/herself while teaching a lesson." This could mean that the video must clearly show the face of the teacher (possibly for identification) while doing a lesson. 
3. Observation of demonstration teacher via Learning Action Cell (LAC) is an option when options 1 and 2 are not possible. For this, the guidelines points to DepEd Order No. 35 s. 2016 that says "school LAC primarily functions as a professional learning community for teachers that will help them improve practice and learner achievement."

You may download Memorandum DM-PHROD-2021-0010 and other RPMS documents through http://bit.ly/RPMSPPST20202021.