Instructional Calibration (SWIPS)

A DataWORKS researcher observes four full days of classroom instruction. The instructional leader must accompany the DataWORKS researcher during part of the observations to be trained in observation techniques.

Why is the School Wide Instructional Practices Survey important?
The single most important factor in increasing student learning is the teacher in front of the classroom. The SWIPS observations measure the amount of use of essential classroom instructional practices that help students learn more and learn faster.

How does it work and what does the school need to provide?
A DataWORKS researcher observes four full days of classroom instruction. The school must provide a schedule of the classroom observations to DataWORKS in advance.
The observations record information such as:

1. Time on Task activities
2. Time off Task activities
3. Use of effective instructional practices
4. Higher Order Questioning (Bloom’s Taxonomy)
5. Cognitive Strategies to help students remember
6. English Learner (SDAIE) strategies to accelerate English Learners
7. Classroom Management

A follow-up after school presentation is made of the aggregated results for the school overall. The school must provide a suitable meeting room with a screen and an overhead projector for this presentation.