Structure a Sustainable and Scalable Instructional Coaching Program

Districts are increasingly investing in coaching programs to improve teacher practice and student achievement. However, merely providing schools with the funding for a coaching position is not enough. To maximize the return on the investment of coaching, our research on the Dynamic Learning Project pilot (DLP)¹ identified 10 considerations that school/district decision-makers need to take into account when they plan to set up, launch, or maintain a sustainable and scalable coaching program. Choose what suits your context best from each category.

Set Up a Coaching Program

If you are starting a coaching program, make sure you consider these five recommendations as you make initial decisions about funding, staffing, and setting up a program. If you have already established your coaching program, these recommendations can help you reflect on the systems you have in place and consider how they could be strengthened.

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Launch a Coaching Program

As a coaching program launches, either for the first time or for the start of a new school year, it’s important to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of both coaches and school administrators. These recommendations guide you in establishing these roles and communicating their scope to school and district staff.

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Maintain & Expand a Coaching Program

Throughout the school year, a coaching program will be more successful when leaders actively support a culture of coaching, plan for the professional learning of both coaches and administrators, and take time to collect data and reflect on the progress and impact of the program. These recommendations guide you in those endeavors.

¹The Dynamic Learning Project pilot (DLP) refers to the coaching program and research study that took place from 2017-20.