Power Walkthrough

What Power Walkthrough is

Power Walkthrough is web-based classroom observation software for instructional coaches and school leaders. It helps them collect information during classroom walkthroughs, then bring observations together to support coaching and professional development feedback. Customizable observation templates are based on McREL research, including work on classroom instruction and teaching English language learners. Data from multiple walkthroughs is organized into dashboard-style reports that can guide coaching conversations and help prioritize professional development. The product also provides instant teacher feedback, including a PDF for teachers. Instructional coaches, principals, and assistant principals are among its intended users. McREL says more than 1.4 million classroom walkthroughs have been conducted around the world using Power Walkthrough. The software is intended for coaching and professional development conversations rather than formal evaluations. The Power Walkthrough plan costs $450 a year, billed per user; training is described separately. Training can take the form of three to seven one-hour webinars or a two-day onsite workshop for up to 40 participants. Demo accounts and sample templates are available upon request.

Who it suits

Power Walkthrough suits instructional coaches, principals, and assistant principals who want to collect classroom observation data and use it to guide coaching and professional development. It is designed for those conversations, not formal evaluations.

Limits

The Power Walkthrough plan costs $450 a year per user, with training described separately. The software supports coaching and professional development conversations, not formal evaluations.

Getting started

1. Visit https://www.mcrel.org/pwt/.
2. Request a demo account and sample templates.
3. Choose the Power Walkthrough plan at $450 a year, billed per user.
4. Arrange training through three to seven one-hour webinars or a two-day onsite workshop for up to 40 participants.

Verdict

Choose Power Walkthrough if your school needs web-based walkthrough templates, aggregated reporting, and teacher feedback to support coaching and professional development. Look elsewhere if the primary need is formal evaluation, or if the per-user annual plan and separate training do not fit.