Examples of Student Observation Reports

Student observation reports are written feedback of student behavior and performance. An observation is performed by a professional that is not the student’s teacher. School psychologists, special education teachers or another teacher may observe student behavior and document their progress. Student observations provide meaningful feedback for teachers by identifying student progress and the level at which a student is performing. Observations are designed to hold students and educators accountable for the learning process.

The information gathered and presented in the observation report includes statements about how a student performs both academically and behaviorally during direct instruction time and transition time. It may also include anecdotes about how a student interacts with his peers. These reports are usually read by psychologists, pediatricians, school specialists such as a speech pathologist or occupational therapist and behavior intervention specialists. Parents, teachers and other school staff may also receive copies of these reports.

Student observation reports include a title, name of the observer, name of student, demographic information about the student, reason for the observation and place and time of the observation. A general overview is included to set the context of the observation. Details about the environment and who is in the classroom are included. State the activities that occurred during the observation. Document details that indicate what the student was doing during the observation.

Include information that may have an influence on student behavior and ability in the classroom. For example, the report should indicate if the student is a member of a dislocated family or English is the second language. Explain learning disabilities, anxiety triggers and intellectual gifts in the report. Behavior-based issues with the student are documented in this section as well.

Include a section that draws a comparison between the student’s behavior and development to that of his peers. Document any support services the student receives. A summary is given that covers the student’s interactions with teachers, peers, support services and their responses to the stimuli in the room. Skills the student demonstrates and how the student’s behavior relates to their academic functioning ability is included in the summary. Benchmark percentages may be included in the report.

The report should include an assessment area with what the observer saw during the observation. There should be an observation and a comment section for each aspect of the observation. The aspects assessed are determined by the purpose of the observation. For example, if the student is being observed to determine if they are developing appropriately in the classroom, the report would address social and emotional behavior and motor skill demonstrations during the observation. Other reasons for a student observations includes assessing age-appropriate behavior, proper motor skill development, speech and language development or issues with visual and hearing impairment. These types of observations can be performed by speech and language pathologists, visual specialists, hearing specialists, behavior interventionists or occupational therapists.