The Pros and Cons of Coaching

My district landed one of the grants from OSPI to pay for a math coach for the middle school and high school. I haven't heard much yet, but it's still early in the year. It'll be interesting to see how things go.

To that end, the Harvard Education Letter has a thought-provoking and provocatively-titled article this month, "Is Coaching the Best Use of Resources?", where Elizabeth City looks at the experience two high schools had. One principal embraced coaching, one didn't, but it didn't seem to really matter either way what the felt--scores stayed where they were. Her conclusion is that the schools weren't ready for coaching, and that's an important thought to take going into the implementation of any coaching project: if the staff isn't ready, then the result is pre-determined. It's a variation on the old Buddhist proverb, "When the student is ready, the master will appear."

That said, I give a nod to all the first-year coaches statewide who are trying to make a difference in their schools, particularly those in the Reading First schools. The bottom line is success for the kids; may your journey be fruitful.