Coaching for Systems Excerpt.pdf

Coaching for Systems and Teacher Change

Authors

Jennifer D. Pierce, Ph.D.
American Institutes for Research, Arlington, Virginia
Kimberly St. Martin, Ph.D.
Michigan’s MTSS Technical Assistance Center, Lansing

Contents

Introduction

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In today’s world, educators must develop the skills and knowledge needed to support an ever-diversifying student population. Coaches are often called on to support individual teachers and teams of educators.

MAKING GOOD USE OF THE CONTENT

Each chapter contains Key Questions and Chapter Take-Aways. The former provides compelling prompts for coaches to consider whereas the latter summarizes essential ideas coaches can master.

Making the Case for Coaching

KEY QUESTIONS

  1. Why is coaching a prominent form of professional learning in education?
  2. How have educational policies and research shaped the nature of coaching in schools, particularly the evolution of the role?

CHAPTER TAKE-AWAYS

  1. Teacher practice is a powerful predictor of student outcomes.
  2. The dual forces of research and policy have influenced the nature of coaching roles in schools, ultimately cementing systems coaching as an integral approach.

Chapter 1: Making the Case for Coaching

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This chapter is divided into two sections, discussing the prominent role of coaching in pre-K-12 schools and the evolution of the coaching role.

Table 1.1. Definitions of Terminology

Term Definition
Professional learning An umbrella term for the different types of supports coaches provide.
Coaching teachers A professional learning approach provided to teachers to support their implementation of academic practices.
Systems coaching A professional learning approach provided to a team of educators responsible for leading a schoolwide implementation effort.
Hybrid coaching A professional learning approach that supports both teachers and teams of educators.

References

Bryk, A. S. (2010). Organizing schools for improvement. Phi Delta Kappan, 91(7), 23–30. Darling-Hammond, L., et al. (2017). Effective teacher professional development. Learning Policy Institute.

This book is dedicated to the educators working to improve the lives of all students.