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DANIELSON FRAMEWORK

Danielson Observation Forms, Connected to the Bigger Picture

Using the Danielson Framework for teacher observations? EX in Education configures your district’s licensed Danielson forms across all four domains, so evaluations stay faithful to your own instrument. Evaluations are one part of the educator experience. In EX in Education, this evidence connects to coaching, PD, and goals - helping every educator move from hired to thriving.

All 4 domains covered
22 component sections
4-level rating system

EX in Education is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Charlotte Danielson or The Danielson Group. The Framework for Teaching and its rubric are the property of their respective owners. We configure your district's own licensed Danielson forms inside the platform; we do not provide or distribute the Danielson rubric itself. Want a form you can download today? Get our framework-neutral formal observation form pack.

The Danielson Framework: 4 Domains, 22 Components

Domain 1: Planning

Planning and Preparation components including content knowledge, student knowledge, and instructional design.

  • • 1a: Content & Pedagogy
  • • 1b: Knowledge of Students
  • • 1c: Instructional Outcomes
  • • 1d: Resources
  • • 1e: Coherent Instruction
  • • 1f: Student Assessments

Domain 2: Environment

Classroom Environment components focusing on respect, culture, and management systems.

  • • 2a: Respect & Rapport
  • • 2b: Culture for Learning
  • • 2c: Classroom Procedures
  • • 2d: Student Behavior
  • • 2e: Physical Space

Domain 3: Instruction

Instruction components covering communication, engagement, and assessment during teaching.

  • • 3a: Communicating
  • • 3b: Questioning & Discussion
  • • 3c: Engaging Students
  • • 3d: Assessment in Instruction
  • • 3e: Flexibility & Responsiveness

Domain 4: Professional

Professional Responsibilities including reflection, communication, and professional growth.

  • • 4a: Reflecting on Teaching
  • • 4b: Maintaining Records
  • • 4c: Communicating with Families
  • • 4d: Professional Community
  • • 4e: Professional Development
  • • 4f: Professionalism

4-Level Performance Rating System

1

Unsatisfactory

Does not meet basic requirements for effective teaching practice

2

Basic

Meets basic requirements with some effective teaching practices

3

Proficient

Consistently demonstrates effective teaching practices

4

Distinguished

Demonstrates innovative, highly effective teaching that inspires others

How EX Supports Your Danielson Evaluations

Your District’s Forms, Configured

If your district is licensed to use the Danielson Framework, EX configures your approved forms, components, and scoring language from the materials you provide.

Evidence Collection Areas

Structured spaces for recording specific examples, observations, and evidence for each component rating.

4-Point Rating Scale

Score against your district’s four performance levels - Unsatisfactory, Basic, Proficient, Distinguished - using your own scoring language.

Comprehensive Feedback Sections

Dedicated areas for commendations, recommendations, and professional development goal setting that feed straight into coaching and PD plans.

Pre & Post Conference Guides

Structured templates for pre-observation planning and post-observation reflection conversations.

Customizable for Your District

Send us your district’s approved Danielson forms and evaluation requirements, and we’ll set them up in EX in Education.

How to Use the Danielson Framework Effectively

Pre-Observation Preparation

1

Review Lesson Plans

Examine Domain 1 elements: objectives, assessments, and planned instructional strategies.

2

Set Focus Areas

Choose 3-4 specific components to emphasize based on teacher growth goals.

3

Pre-Conference Meeting

Discuss lesson context, student needs, and specific areas the teacher wants feedback on.

During the Observation

1

Collect Specific Evidence

Record concrete examples and direct quotes that support each component rating.

2

Focus on Domains 2 & 3

Emphasize classroom environment and instruction - the domains most visible during observation.

3

Note Student Responses

Document how students engage, respond, and demonstrate learning throughout the lesson.

Danielson Framework Variations by State

Many states have adopted modified versions of the Danielson Framework. Your district's forms can be customized to match your state's specific requirements.

States Using Full Danielson Framework

  • • New York (NYC DOE implementation)
  • • New Jersey (modified version)
  • • Delaware (with state-specific elements)
  • • Various districts nationwide

Common Modifications

  • • Additional cultural responsiveness elements
  • • Technology integration components
  • • State standard alignment requirements
  • • Local priority additions

Run the Danielson Form Inside the Educator Experience Platform

Already using Danielson? EX runs your district’s licensed forms inside the platform, where every evaluation connects to coaching conversations, PD plans, and goals instead of sitting in a folder.

What's Included

Your district’s Danielson forms, configured
Your approved components and scoring language
Evidence collection areas
Evidence connected to coaching, PD, and goals
Set up my Danielson forms

Bring your district’s approved Danielson rubric - we’ll configure it.

Danielson Observation
Domain 3: Instruction
3c: Engaging Students in Learning
1
2
3
4
Evidence

Digital Danielson form interface

Related Danielson Resources

Danielson Framework Questions

Is this form exactly like Charlotte Danielson's original framework?

The Danielson Framework has four domains and 22 components. If your district is licensed to use it, EX configures your approved forms; you can customize them to match your district's specific implementation or state-mandated modifications.

Can I modify the form for my district's requirements?

Yes! The digital format allows you to customize component descriptions, add district-specific elements, modify rating scales, and include your district's priorities while maintaining the core Danielson structure.

How do I ensure consistency across multiple evaluators?

Our platform includes your district’s rubric definitions for each component and performance level. Provide calibration training using the same form, and consider using the platform's consistency features to maintain standards across evaluators.

What's the difference between this and a generic observation form?

EX configures your district’s licensed Danielson forms - all four domains, your components, your performance-level language, and evidence areas - so evaluations stay faithful to your own instrument. If you are not on Danielson, the generic observation form pack above works with any framework.

Start Using the Danielson Framework, Connected to the Rest

Already using Danielson? Run your district’s licensed forms in EX in Education, where the evidence connects to coaching, PD, and goals. Every educator, from hired to thriving.

Bring your district’s approved Danielson rubric - we’ll configure it.

Part of EX in Education

One piece of the educator experience.

Danielson observation forms are one part of how districts support educators. In EX in Education, they connect to the bigger picture: walkthroughs, coaching, evaluations, goals, PD, recognition, surveys, and retention. Bring your own process and forms, and we’ll run them across every school so every educator moves from hired to thriving.