The purpose of this mixed-method study is to examine if teachers are receiving effective feedback from their administrators and what school leaders can do to improve the feedback and coaching they provide. The conceptual framework that supports this study is based upon the research by Romano (2014), Ficke (2020), Tuma et al. (2018), and Nasatir…

We examined what and how experienced (mentor coaches) and novice coaches (coach participants) noticed as they analyzed a vignette of a coaching interaction between a coach and a teacher. We modified the van Es (2011) Learning to Notice Framework for a coaching context to analyze What and How coaches notice. We collected data from ten mentor…

Traditional teacher evaluations -- full-lesson observations, write-ups, and debriefs -- are time-consuming and largely ineffective. As a principal, Kim Marshall found that mini-observations -- short, frequent, unannounced classroom visits, each followed by a face-to-face coaching conversation and brief narrative summary -- actually improved…

The field of education relies heavily on instructional coaches to build teacher capacity in the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). Although observation tools are commonly used to measure the fidelity of implementation by teachers, fewer tools are available to identify specific coaching behaviors used during in situ coaching…

Prior research on new teacher mentoring has focused on reducing teacher attrition rates. However, studies have yet to explore the descriptions of early-career special education teachers in a formal mentoring program. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how early-career special education teachers, located in one school…

Effective support for children with developmental disabilities or delays is dependent on the successful collaboration between families and professionals and among professionals. For years, researchers and professionals have been coaching caregivers and other professionals to implement evidence-based practices with children with disabilities.…

The field of education relies heavily on instructional coaches to build teacher capacity in the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs). Although observation tools are commonly used to measure the fidelity of implementation by teachers, fewer tools are available to identify specific coaching behaviors used during in situ coaching…

Instructional coaching, informed by observation tools that measure teachers' practices, has been effective in improving teaching quality in early learning programs. However, existing measurement tools limit teachers' abilities to implement this type of instructional coaching at scale. To address this challenge, a team at SRI Education, along with…

This study was conducted to determine if there were significant differences between the self-efficacy and responsibility beliefs among those who had received instructional coaching and those who had not. This mixed-methods study used the Teacher Responsibility Scale (TRS) to measure both self-efficacy and responsibility beliefs as well as…

Research shows that conversations and daily interaction among teachers and children is crucial for their development. Observing children and interpreting their thinking processes is a significant factor in intentionally planning curriculum that emerges from children's thinking, assists them in making connections, and extends their learning. This…

This short-form article describes an informal, non-evaluative peer observation project undertaken by the authors who are Spanish teachers at two different institutions, one a university and the other a K-8 school. The authors describe the rationale for undertaking the project, their individual teaching contexts, and their joint process in this…

Studies investigating the effectiveness of professional development (PD) programs have provided no conclusive findings on what exactly makes a PD effort effective. Using an observation-based coaching PD program, we explore which features in the PD implementation process facilitated or impeded teachers' meaningful engagement in and learning from…

All teachers need ongoing coaching that helps them recognize areas of strength and need for teaching students with disabilities. Unfortunately, the amount, quality, and speed with which teachers receive feedback from coaches, administrators, mentors, or other instructional leaders on their academic and behavior management practices is limited. In…

Literacy coaching has shown positive effects on teachers' instruction and on students' literacy growth, but research has demonstrated wide variation in literacy coaches' practice. However, previous research has not addressed the sensemaking processes that might underlie variation in coaching practice. Using interviews with seven literacy coaches,…

Providing teachers with professional development leads to enhanced instructional practices that influence student achievement. Because of low student achievement scores, secondary school administrators at a district in the western United States implemented administrator-led classroom walkthroughs (CWs) as ongoing professional development to…