School-Based Coaching: A revolution in professional development—or just the latest fad?

Author: Russo, Alexander
Publisher: Harvard Education Press
Publication Date: 2004 July/August
Publication City: Cambridge
Publication State: MA
Journal: Harvard Education Letter: Research Online
Full text available online at: http://www.edletter.org/past/issues/2004-ja/coaching.shtml

Abstract

This online article considers school-based coaching as an additional strategy in the professional development arsenal and a possible catalyst for school change through staff development. School-based coaches are usually "experts in a particular subject area or set of teaching strategies working closely with small groups of teachers to improve classroom practice and, ultimately, student achievement."

School-based coaching Pros:

• professional development can be ongoing, deeply embedded, and specifically applied to each teacher's classroom practices
  
• can foster teacher collaboration and school community
  
• meets many of the National Staff Development Council standards
  
• can provide accountability in that teachers get coaching to apply what is learned.

• There are many types of "coaching" and schools need to be clear about their goals and expectations for a coaching program.
• Coaching on its own is not a panacea.
• The success data is mostly anecdotal and the research base is minimal.
• There are many logistical challenges (finding enough coaches, training and support, release time and buy-in, cost, cultural changes).