The Coaching Solution

Effective coaching requires a deep knowledge and expertise in scientifically based instruction (expertise in the specifics of adopted curriculum and in scaffolding and adapting curriculum to meet specific needs of children), behavior and classroom management, and consultation and communication techniques.

The Coaching Solution Model offers reading teachers a supportive, private coach to work with at times that fit into the teachers' schedules. Coaches provide information and support to teachers online. An aspect of the relationship is one-on-one, but teachers also participate in a community of learners with other teachers involved in the Coaching Solution Model.

Above: Chart is based on the Student-Focused-Coaching model - Hasbrouck, J.E., & Denton, C. (2005). The reading coach: A how-to manual for success. Boston: Sorpris West.

Coaches:

• Review student assessment data with teachers.
  
• Answer teacher questions related to the intervention.
  
• Make suggestions to help teachers implement the program more successfully and to help students make greater progress.
  
• Ask teachers to reflect on the lessons and provide feedback.
  
• Use video clips to provide modeling of specific aspects of lessons.
  
• Facilitate a team discussion with other intervention teachers.
  
• Collaborate with teachers to solve problems that may arise, including problems related to students who don't make sufficient progress, behavior management, and circumstances related to implementation in your school.
  
• Advise, listen to, and support teachers with the shared goal of improving reading outcomes for students.

Coaches use web-based videoconferencing technology to directly observe lessons. In addition, they will indirectly observe lessons in two ways:

• Coaches will study the results of assessments of the intervention students, looking for patterns in their growth and information about their strengths and needs. Coaches will use this information to make suggestions to teachers regarding objectives and activities they might include in future lessons.
  
• Coaches will ask teachers to reflect on their own lessons in a way the teachers will "observe themselves."

Teacher Expectations

Teachers are expected to:

• Provide coaches with student assessment data
  
• Log onto the Coaching Solution regularly and participate in web-based videoconferences as scheduled
  
• Communicate openly with your coach

Confidentiality

This coaching model is focused on helping students improve their performance. It is important, both legally and ethically, to maintain confidentiality when providing student data to anyone other than a students' parent or other school personnel with direct responsibility for the student. All data collected during this program will be kept confidential (including assessment data and discussions of student progress).

Key Resources

Contact Us

Patricia Mathes, Ph.D. Professor and Texas Instruments Chair of Evidence-Based Education, Director of the Institute for Evidence-Based Education Phone: 214-768-8400 Email: pmathes@smu.edu
Carolyn Buss, M.A. Instructional Developer and Reading Coach Phone: 214-768-4282 Email: cbuss@smu.edu