EdConnective coaches meet teachers where they are by customizing Student Outcome Goals (SOGs) to each teacher’s classroom context. Crossroads teachers’ SOGs fell into two categories: Classroom Management and Content Mastery. The seven teachers who focused on Classroom Management worked to increase the percentage of their students on task during lessons, while the two teachers who focused on Content Mastery worked to increase the percentage of their students demonstrating proficiency in course content.
Teachers were able to make gradual, consistent progress towards their SOGs by practicing actionable strategies (or “Teacher Actions”) in their training sessions. On average, each teacher worked to master four teacher actions over the course of their partnership. During the “Practice” portion of each feedback session, coaches and teachers work together to determine criteria for success; then the coach leads modeling and role-play exercises to practice these teacher actions. These drills increase teachers’ confidence and help them to build muscle memory, so that the next time they step into the classroom, they can readily implement new strategies and, as a result, move closer to their SOGs.
Results
Dr. Nichols’ goal was to walk into her teachers’ classrooms at the end of their EdConnective partnerships and see a notable difference in student engagement. Upon partnership completion, a change in every classroom was evident. The average percent of students on task in Classroom Management-focused teachers’ classrooms went from 59% to 88%! This was measured by coaches watching the recorded video of the teacher delivering instruction, and counting the number of students on task.
In Content Mastery-focused teachers’ classrooms, the average number of students mastering content went from 44% to 76%! This was measured by coaches assessing data from exit tickets or similar student evaluations.
