Effectiveness of Classroom Observation Tool (COT) in Assessing Teachers Performance: Basis for a Teacher Enhancement Program

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of COT in assessing teacher’s performance in the First Congressional Districts in the Division of Quezon. It was guided by four objectives: (1) the effectiveness of COT in assessing teacher's performance using the nine indicators of the Classroom Observation Tool, (2) the problems/challenges encountered by the observer during a classroom observation, (3) determining the significant difference on the level of effectiveness of COT and (4) the role of classroom observation in identifying teacher’s strengths and weaknesses. The study utilized quantitative and qualitative methods as it employed a descriptive – survey and correlational designs to gather data from the 227 total respondents which were chosen through systematic random sampling. A self – devised research instrument and face to face interview were used to gather data. The findings revealed that the nine (9) indicators of the Classroom Observation Tool (COT) were very effective in assessing teacher’s performance. It was disclosed that balancing the learning needs of pupils and congestion of classes, lack of instructional materials and teacher’s anxiety were the most common problems/challenges encountered by school heads and master teachers. There is a significant difference in the level of effectiveness of COT in assessing teacher's performance in curriculum integration, literacy, and numeracy, and classroom structure while there is no significant difference in teaching strategies, positive discipline, differentiated instruction, developmentally sequenced teaching and learning, learning resources and assessment. It was also revealed that classroom observation helped the teachers in identifying their strengths and weaknesses. The enhancement program for classroom observation is the output of the study.