Tutor Observation Rubric

Your coach uses this rubric during every observation. Reviewing it before your session helps you know exactly what to focus on. After each observation, you and your coach will review scores together and set a professional development goal for the next cycle.

Instructional Clarity

Explanations, pacing, and comprehension checks

1 — Developing

Explanation is unclear or inconsistent. Student confusion goes unaddressed.

2 — Effective

Clear explanations with occasional comprehension checks. Pacing is mostly appropriate.

3 — Highly Effective

Clear, concise explanations with frequent checks for understanding. Reteaches using a different approach when needed.

Student Engagement

Participation, initiative, and active learning

1 — Developing

Tutor dominates the session. Student participation is minimal or passive.

2 — Effective

Student participates with prompting from the tutor. Engagement is inconsistent.

3 — Highly Effective

Student actively engages and takes initiative. Tutor facilitates — student does the cognitive work.

Lesson Notes

Timeliness, detail, and instructional usefulness

1 — Developing

Notes are inconsistent, vague, or missing. No formative assessment data present.

2 — Effective

Notes are shared and mostly complete. Includes what was covered. Formative data is present but may be vague.

3 — Highly Effective

Notes are timely, detailed, and instructionally useful. Includes specific formative result, student response, and next session plan.

Equity & Inclusion

Differentiation, cultural responsiveness, and belonging

1 — Developing

Limited differentiation. Little awareness of individual student needs, language, or background.

2 — Effective

Some differentiation and support for diverse learners. Accommodations are honored.

3 — Highly Effective

Lessons proactively tailored to individual learning needs. Person-first language. Student identity is affirmed.

Instructional Strategies

Scaffolding, wait time, and strategy selection

1 — Developing

Limited scaffolding. No wait time. Re-explains using the same approach.

2 — Effective

Uses appropriate scaffolding and pacing. Allows adequate wait time. Adjusts on feedback.

3 — Highly Effective

Strategically selects scaffolds. Uses 30-second wait time consistently. Changes modality or entry point when needed.

Platform Use

Lessonspace, Teachworks, and bot usage

1 — Developing

Struggles with platform features. Technical issues reduce instructional time.

2 — Effective

Navigates platforms competently. Uses whiteboard and chat for basic instruction.

3 — Highly Effective

Uses tools creatively to enhance learning. Bot is used before and after sessions. Whiteboard and chat are active learning tools.

How scoring works

1 = Developing · 2 = Effective · 3 = Highly Effective. Your coach shares written feedback after every observation: key strengths, one growth area, and suggested next steps.

💬 Have a question between observations?

The A+ Support Bot can answer questions about session protocols, lesson notes, and more — anytime.

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