UTeach Observation Protocol

for Mathematics and Science

Complete AFTER observation of lesson using field notes, teacher post-interview, and student
work samples and/or comments (video if available).1

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Teacher: [Type text]
School: [Type text]
Date of Observation: [Type text]
Start and End Time of Observation: [Type text]
Date of Post Interview: [Type text]
Subject Observed: [Type text]
Grade Level: [Type text]
Course Level: (Regular or Advanced/Accelerated): [Type text]
Observer: [Type text]

II. LESSON OVERVIEW

Lesson Description

In a paragraph or two, describe the lesson you observed. Include where the lesson fits into the
overall unit of study. Be sure to include enough detail to provide a context for your ratings of the
lesson and also to allow you to recall the details of the lesson when needed in the future.

III. RATING SCALES

1 = Not observed at all / Not demonstrated at all 4 = Observed often / Demonstrated well
2 = Observed rarely / Demonstrated poorly 5 = Observed to a great extent / Demonstrated to a
3 = Observed an adequate amount / Demonstrated great extent
adequately

Note About Synthesis Ratings

The synthesis ratings are not intended to be a mathematical average of the indicator scores
making up each section, but are designed to allow the rater to describe his or her overall
impression, using a holistic view of the domain and providing a “human average” of the entire
lesson. Evidence to support the score chosen can be typed in the open space after the Synthesis
Ratings boxes.

1
NOTE: The UTOP was adapted from Horizon Research, Inc., 2005–06 Core Evaluation Manual: Classroom
Observation Protocol by UTeach Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin.

UTeach Observation Protocol for Mathematics and Science (UTOP) 1

For more information, see http://utop.uteach.utexas.edu.
 2014

1. Classroom Environment

Rating Indicator
1.1 Classroom Engagement: The classroom environment facilitated by the teacher
encouraged students to generate ideas, questions, conjectures, and/or propositions that
reflected engagement or exploration with important mathematics and science concepts.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

1.2 Classroom Interactions: Interactions reflected collegial working relationships among

students (e.g., students worked together productively and talked with each other about the
lesson).
*It’s possible that this indicator was not applicable to the observed lesson. You may rate NA
in this case.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

1.3 Classroom On-Task: The majority of students were on task throughout the class.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

1.4 Classroom Management: The teacher’s classroom management strategies enhanced the
classroom environment.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

1.5 Classroom Organization: The classroom is organized appropriately such that students
can work in groups easily and get to lab materials as needed, and the teacher can move to
each student or student group.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

1.6 Classroom Equity: The classroom environment established by the teacher reflected
attention to issues of access, equity, and diversity for students (e.g., cooperative learning,
language-appropriate strategies and materials, attentiveness to student needs).
Description, Rubric, and Examples

Synthesis Rating for Classroom Environment

Classroom Classroom Classroom Classroom Classroom

culture is non- culture is culture is culture is often culture is
interactive or productive and adequately productive and consistently
non-productive. interactive only productive and interactive, with collegial,
occasionally. interactive. some collegial interactive, and
interactions. productive.
1 2 3 4 5

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2. Lesson Structure

Rating Indicator
2.1 Lesson Sequence: The lesson was well organized and structured (e.g., the objectives of
the lesson were clear to students, and the sequence of the lesson was structured to build
understanding and maintain a sense of purpose).
Description, Rubric, and Examples

2.2 Lesson Importance: The structure of the lesson allowed students to engage with and/or
explore important concepts in mathematics or science (instead of focusing on techniques that
may only be useful on exams).
Description, Rubric, and Examples

2.3 Lesson Assessments: The structure of the lesson included opportunities for the instructor
to gauge student understanding.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

2.4 Lesson Investigation: The lesson included an investigative or problem-based approach

to important concepts in mathematics or science.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

2.5 Lesson Resources: The teacher obtained and employed resources appropriate for the
lesson.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

2.6 Lesson Reflection: The teacher was critical and reflective about his/her practice after the
lesson, recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of his/her instruction.
* This indicator may be rated NA if you do not have access to a teacher interview or teacher
commentary.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

Synthesis Rating for Lesson Structure

Lesson was very Lesson was Lesson was Lesson was well Lesson was
poorly structured poorly structured adequately structured to expertly
to assist student to assist student structured to assist student structured to
learning. learning. assist student learning. assist student
learning. learning.
1 2 3 4 5

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3. Implementation

Rating Indicator
3.1 Implementation Questioning: The teacher used questioning strategies to encourage
participation, check on skill development, and facilitate intellectual engagement and
productive interaction with students about important science and mathematics content and
concepts.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

3.2 Implementation Involvement: The teacher involved all students in the lesson (calling
on non-volunteers, facilitating student–student interaction, checking in with hesitant learners,
etc.).
Description, Rubric, and Examples

3.3 Implementation Modification: The teacher used formative assessment effectively to be

aware of the progress of all students and modified the lesson appropriately when formative
assessment demonstrated that students did not understand.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

3.4 Implementation Timing: An appropriate amount of time was devoted to each part of the
lesson.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

3.5 Implementation Connections: The instructional strategies and activities used in this
lesson clearly connected to students’ prior knowledge and experience.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

3.6 Implementation Safety: The teacher’s instructional strategies included safe,

environmentally appropriate, and ethical implementation of laboratory procedures and/or
classroom activities.
*This indicator may be rated NA if there were no relevant activities during the lesson.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

Synthesis Rating for Implementation

Very poor lesson Poor lesson Adequate lesson Good lesson Excellent lesson
implementation implementation implementation implementation implementation
1 2 3 4 5

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4. Mathematics/Science Content

Rating Indicator
4.1 Content Significance: The mathematics or science content chosen was significant,
worthwhile, and developmentally appropriate for this course (includes the content standards
covered, as well as examples and activities chosen by the teacher).
Description, Rubric, and Examples

4.2 Content Fluency: Content communicated through direct and non-direct instruction by
the teacher is consistent with deep knowledge and fluency with the mathematics or science
concepts of the lesson (e.g., fluent use of examples, discussions, and explanations of
concepts, etc.).
Description, Rubric, and Examples

4.3 Content Accuracy: Teacher written and verbal content information was accurate.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

4.4 Content Assessments: Formal assessments used by teacher (if available) were consistent
with content objectives (homework, lab sheets, tests, quizzes, etc.).
*It’s possible that this indicator was not applicable to the observed lesson. You may rate NA
in this case.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

4.5 Content Abstraction: Elements of mathematical/scientific abstraction were used

appropriately (e.g., multiple forms of representation in science and mathematics classes
include verbal, graphic, symbolic, visualizations, simulations, models of systems and
structures that are not directly observable in real time or by the naked eye, etc.).
*It’s possible that this indicator was not applicable to the observed lesson. You may rate NA
in this case.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

4.6 Content Relevance: During the lesson, it was made explicit to students why the content
is important to learn.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

4.7 Content Interconnections: Appropriate connections were made to other areas of

mathematics or science and/or to other disciplines.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

4.8 Content Societal Impact: During the lesson, there was discussion about the content
topic’s role in history, current events, or relevant “real-world” problems.
Description, Rubric, and Examples

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Synthesis Rating for Content

Students learning Students learning Students learning Students learning Students learning
inaccurate superficial adequate content good content deep, fluid
content content knowledge knowledge content
knowledge knowledge knowledge
1 2 3 4 5

IV. SUMMARY COMMENTS

Information included in this section is a snapshot of your evaluation of the quality of the lesson.
When filling in this section, consider all available information concerning the lesson and its
context and purpose, as well as your own judgment of the relative importance of the ratings
given. The summary is intended to be freeform and can also include comments that did not fit
into any of the preceding sections.

FIELD NOTES
Use this space to take field notes, capture comments from student–student or student–teacher
conversations, describe the physical, socio-emotional, or cultural environment of the classroom
interactions, and so on. Field notes can be edited and inserted into the Evidence boxes under each
indicator to illustrate your rationale for assigning a particular score for that indicator.

Be sure to REMOVE all notes prior to sharing with anyone!

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