Evaluation of the teacher peer observation intervention
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN89620259 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN89620259 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | N/A |
- Submission date
- 03/06/2014
- Registration date
- 23/06/2014
- Last edited
- 26/10/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The University of Bristol has developed a new method (or intervention) of teacher peer review, a system where teachers observe and critique each others skills in the classroom. It uses software called RANDA, which can be installed on a IPad tablet and it allows teachers to peer review each other using any number of customised scoring systems. The aims behind the development of this software are to improve teachers performance in the classroom and improve pupils educational attainments. This study seeks to test this new teacher peer observation intervention through a large number of teacher peer reviews in the English and mathematics departments of 120 schools over the course of two years.
Who can participate?
This project is for teachers teaching mathematics or English in GCSE classes.
What does the study involve?
Schools will be randomly selected to either be in the intervention group who take part in the new peer review intervention or the control group who continue as normal. Teachers in intervention schools will be randomly allocated to either be an observer, to be observed or to do both. Teachers carrying out observations will use an IPad (which the University of Bristol will supply) and work through a rubric (a framework on which the observations will be based which is loaded onto the IPad as an app). The observation should take about 15-20 minutes. Within each school, the mathematics and English departments will be randomly allocated to a low dose or high dose of the teacher peer review process. In low dose departments, each teacher being observed will be peer reviewed 6-9 times over a cause of a year. In high dose departments, this increases to 15-18 times a year. Students English and mathematics abilities will also be tested at the end of each school year for two years. This will be using an adapted Key Stage 3 test in year 10 and GCSE exams in year 11.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The programme may improve students abilities in mathematics and English.
Where is the study run from?
The study is being run by National Foundation for Educational Research, Slough, UK.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2014 to July 2016.
Who is funding the study?
Education Endowment Foundation (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Anneka Dawson
a.dawson@nfer.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
The Mere
Upton Park
Slough
SL1 2DQ
United Kingdom
| Phone | + 44 (0) 1753 637218 |
|---|---|
| a.dawson@nfer.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Cluster randomised trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Other |
| Study type | Quality of life |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | Evaluation of the teacher peer observation intervention: Cluster randomised controlled trial |
| Study objectives | The use of the teacher peer observation intervention designed by the University of Bristol will increase Year 10 and Year 11 students' abilities in mathematics and English |
| Ethics approval(s) | National Foundation for Educational Research Code of Practice Committee, 06/05/14 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Educational attainment |
| Intervention | There are three levels of randomisation: 1. Schools are randomised to either intervention (55 schools) or control (65 schools continuing as normal) conditions 2. Mathematics and English departments within the intervention schools are randomised to either high dose (15-18 times a year) or low dose (6-9 times a year) of the peer observation (every school will have one low and one high observation category) 3. Teachers within the intervention schools are randomised to either be an observer, an observee or both (a third in each condition) |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | GCSE outcomes for English and mathematics will be used to measure year 11 ability. |
| Secondary outcome measures | Adapted Key Stage 3 tests in English and mathematics will be used to measure year 10 ability. Analysis of the differential impact of the interventions on free school meal (FSM) and non-FSM pupils, and gender will also be carried out. |
| Overall study start date | 01/09/2014 |
| Completion date | 30/07/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 120 schools |
| Total final enrolment | 82 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. State secondary schools in England that are mixed with no boarders 2. Schools who have the top half of students eligible for free school meals (the highest percentages of FSM) 3. Students will be in year 10 and year 11 4. Schools will need to provide a list of UPNs, class lists and teacher IDs to avoid control schools resisting the data requirements after allocation 5. Headteachers will be asked to give consent on behalf of the teachers and students |
| Key exclusion criteria | Schools in Somerset, Lancashire and Merseyside as requested by the funder |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/09/2014 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/07/2016 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
SL1 2DQ
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Government
9th Floor
Millbank Tower
21 24 Millbank
London
SW1P 4QP
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0) 20 7802 1676 |
|---|---|
| info@eefoundation.org.uk | |
| Website | http://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/ |
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/03bhd6288 |
Funders
Funder type
Government
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/11/2017 | 26/10/2020 | Yes | No |
Editorial Notes
26/10/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
