#4 Active Supervision
Active supervision in schools involves the continuous monitoring of students by staff to ensure safety, engagement, and expected behavior. Key components include frequent teacher movement, scanning the environment, and routine interactions with students. This proactive strategy helps prevent disruptions, strengthens student-teacher relationships, supports positive behavior, and promotes academic success through close observation and feedback. Active supervision also provides opportunities to acknowledge students who meet expectations and to proactively connect with those needing additional support. When implementing this strategy, educators may find it helpful to reflect on questions such as: Have I clearly defined behavior expectations for each task? Which students might benefit from closer proximity and more frequent reinforcement? What obstacles might prevent me from circulating while students are working? When technology is involved, am I monitoring engagement and addressing potential issues? This strategy tool (CCU, 2019-2025) serves as a valuable resource for educators to self-reflect and plan for effective implementation. For further insight into the importance of active supervision and strategies for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, explore VTSS: Foundations for Student Success Module #4 and this corresponding one-pager.
References:
Classroom Check-Up. (2019-2025). Using active supervision. Classroom Check-Up. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from https://classroomcheckup.org/using-active-supervision/
“VTSS Resource Hub.” Resources VTSS-RIC – Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University TTAC, vtss-resources.vcu.edu/. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
“Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports: Foundations of Student Success.” CIEES OSEP LMS, VTSS, osep.cieesodu.org/videomodule/virginia-tiered-systems-of-supports-foundations-of-student-success/. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
