Student-Centered Coaching: The Moves

Where I Started as a Coach

• Harrington Elementary (Denver, CO)
• 470 students
• Grades PK-5
• 98.9% Free and Reduced Lunch
• 62% English Language Learners

My Earliest Coaching Moves

• Share resources
• Model lessons
• Convince others to teach like me

How do you think that went?

Dear Diane...

What I learned...

• It's not a good idea to 'fix' people
• We have to build on strengths, not deficits
• Standards are our driver

Coaching can be...

• Relationship-driven
• Teacher-centered
• Student-centered

Student-Centered Coaching: The coach partners with teachers to design learning that is based on a goal for student learning.

Effect Sizes from John Hattie

• Teacher clarity d= 0.75
• Collective efficacy d=1.57
• Formative evaluation d=0.90
• Feedback d=1.13
• Instructional quality d=1.00

Student-Centered Coaching applies to:

• K-12 schools
• All subjects
• Learning support
• English language learners

Student-Centered Coaching Cycles

Coaching Cycles are...

• Approximately 4-6 weeks in duration
• A minimum of one weekly co-planning session
• One to three co-teaching sessions each week
• Can be with individuals, pairs, or small groups

The Flow of a Coaching Cycle

#1: Set a Standards-Based Goal

Coaching Cycle Goals are...

• Aligned to the standards
• Clear, focused, and measurable
• Motivating to the teacher and students

#2: Unpack the Goal into Learning Targets

Learning Targets

• Are used throughout the coaching cycle
• Provide a clear success criteria
• Are student-friendly
• Are rigorous and academically focused

#3: Pre Assess Student Learning

Pre-Assessments are...

• Formative in nature
• Open-ended
• Make learning visible
• Scored holistically against the learning targets
• Don't feel like a test
• Sorted based on proficiency

#4: Co-Plan Using Student Evidence

Student Evidence is...

• About continuous formative assessment
• Anecdotal and descriptive
• Referred to before making instructional decisions

Examples of Student Evidence

• Anecdotal/conference notes
• Entrance/exit slips
• Complex math problems
• Writing samples
• Reading responses

#5: Co-Teach

Co-Teaching Moves

• Noticing and Naming
• Thinking Aloud
• Teaching in Tandem
• You Pick Four
• Micro Modeling

#6: Post Assess to Show Growth by the Students and Teacher

We Want to Know...

• What the students learned
• What the teacher learned
• What instructional practices are now sustainable

For More Information
@sweeneydiane

dianesweeney.com