AI-Powered Observations for Minnesota Principals
Minnesota evaluates teachers using Danielson FFT (2013), Danielson FFT (2022), and Marzano.
Generate framework-aligned feedback from your observation notes in seconds - built for Minnesota principals using Danielson, Marzano, or locally adopted rubrics.
Education in Minnesota
Education Landscape
Minnesota serves approximately 821,000 students across 331 school districts and 173 charter schools, with approximately 49,000 public school teachers. The state's Teacher Development and Evaluation (TDE) system gives districts local flexibility to choose their instructional framework while requiring alignment to the Standards of Effective Practice (SEPs). Updated TDE requirements effective in the 2025-2026 school year mandate that evaluation rubrics incorporate culturally responsive teaching methodologies.
Observation Requirements
Under Minnesota's TDE requirements, probationary teachers must be evaluated at least three times throughout each school year, with the first evaluation occurring within the first 90 days of teaching. Experienced teachers with satisfactory ratings receive a minimum of one announced observation per year, while those with unsatisfactory ratings receive at least one announced and one unannounced observation. Student growth measures account for 35% of the summative evaluation.
State policy facts verified 2026-06-01 against the official source. View the official policy
Framework Spotlight
Supported Frameworks in Minnesota
Danielson Framework for Teaching (2013)
Developed by Charlotte Danielson, the Framework for Teaching is one of the most widely used teacher observation frameworks in the United States. It defines effective teaching through four domains and ...
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Danielson Framework for Teaching (2022)
The 2022 revision of the Danielson Framework for Teaching updates the classic four-domain structure with a stronger emphasis on equity, student agency, and culturally responsive practice. It retains t...
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Marzano Focused Teacher Evaluation Model (2017)
Robert Marzano's Focused Teacher Evaluation Model concentrates on the instructional elements that research shows have the greatest impact on student achievement. The focused model simplifies evaluatio...
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Minnesota's Teacher Development and Evaluation (TDE) law requires districts to evaluate teachers using rubrics aligned to the state's Standards of Effective Practice (SEPs), but does not mandate a specific framework. The overwhelming majority of districts adopt Danielson or Marzano rubrics crosswalked to the SEPs. Observation Copilot supports both frameworks, letting you generate feedback aligned to whichever rubric your district has adopted.
Why Observation Copilot
Built for Minnesota School Leaders
Danielson & Marzano Ready
Whether your district uses the Danielson Framework for Teaching or the Marzano model, Copilot organizes your observation notes by the correct domains and components - aligned to Minnesota's Standards of Effective Practice.
Culturally Responsive Feedback Built In
Minnesota now requires evaluation rubrics to include culturally responsive methodologies. Copilot helps you capture and document evidence of culturally responsive teaching practices during observations.
Same-Day Feedback for Teachers
Minnesota principals using Copilot deliver post-observation feedback within hours instead of weeks, keeping coaching conversations timely and actionable.
How Observation Copilot Helps
AI-powered observations for Minnesota
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to Minnesota's framework and drafts structured, rubric-aligned feedback - ready to review and share.
- Supports both Danielson FFT and Marzano frameworks used across Minnesota districts
- Organizes observation notes by your selected framework domains aligned to SEPs
- Generates evidence-based feedback with culturally responsive practice indicators
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific framework components
- Reduces post-observation write-up time from 45 minutes to under 10
What Educators Say
Trusted Nationwide
School leaders in Minnesota and across the country use Observation Copilot to turn raw observation notes into Danielson FFT (2013), Danielson FFT (2022), and Marzano-aligned feedback in minutes - saving hours every week and giving teachers faster, more specific next steps.
It was nice as we started to use it and teachers were comfortable with the platform. It definitely sped up our process. Teachers could get very quick feedback and informative feedback that was super helpful for them.
Brian Falhamer - Fairlawn, OH
Principal, Fort Island Primary School
Frequently Asked Questions
Minnesota observation FAQ
- What teacher evaluation system does Minnesota use?
- Minnesota's Teacher Development and Evaluation (TDE) law requires rubrics aligned to the state's Standards of Effective Practice but does not mandate a specific framework. Most districts adopt Danielson or Marzano rubrics crosswalked to the SEPs.
- How many observations does Minnesota require?
- Probationary teachers must be evaluated at least three times per school year, with the first within the first 90 days of teaching. Experienced teachers with satisfactory ratings receive at least one announced observation per year.
- How much do student growth measures count in Minnesota?
- Student growth measures account for 35% of the summative evaluation.
- How are teachers evaluated in Minnesota?
- Teachers are evaluated on a district rubric aligned to the Standards of Effective Practice using observations plus student growth; experienced teachers with unsatisfactory ratings receive at least one announced and one unannounced observation.
- Can Observation Copilot generate Minnesota-aligned feedback?
- Yes. Observation Copilot supports both Danielson and Marzano, letting you generate feedback aligned to whichever rubric your district uses.
Related Reading
Resources for Minnesota Principals
50 Teacher Observation Feedback Examples (Organized by Framework Domain)
50 specific teacher observation feedback examples organized by framework domain, each tied to evidence and a next step principals can use.
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Planning the 2026-2027 Teacher Observation Cycle: A Summer Checklist
A principal's summer checklist for the 2026-2027 teacher observation cycle - calendars, calibration, policy updates, and the tools that hold up.
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Walkthroughs vs. Formal Observations: When Each One Helps and When It Hurts
Walkthroughs and formal observations serve different purposes. Here's how principals balance both in a coaching cycle that actually grows teachers.
Read more
End-of-Year Teacher Evaluations: A Principal's Summative Review Guide
How principals can write fair, evidence-based end-of-year teacher evaluations - without the last-minute scramble or recency bias.
Read more
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