SISEP eNotes: July 2014

Date Published:

July 31, 2014

 

SISEP eNotes

Notes, News and Discussion from the
State Implementation & Scaling-up of Evidence-Based Practices Project

July 2014

Training and Coaching - Start with a Plan

 

This is the time of year when most states and school districts are finalizing their Professional Development plans for the new upcoming school year. The effective use of evidence-based programs (EBPs) requires the learning and use of new knowledge and skills.  To build staff competency, the SISEP Center recommends the development of formal Training and Coaching Plans.  These plans are typically developed in the Installation Stage of Implementation and include performance assessments.  Both establish the support needed for staff to learn, practice and become fluent in the identified new practices.

Training Plans

A Training Plan is a process to purposefully address questions about the Training component of the Competency Drivers.  For example:

  • What data demonstrate the need for EBP training?

  • What are the EBP critical components?
  • What new knowledge and skills will be taught? How?
  • When will training occur?
  • Who will do the training? What qualifications are needed?
  • What outcomes are desired?  How will they be measured?

Coaching Plans

Most new skills can be introduced in training, but are actually practiced and improved on the job, assisted by coaching.  Research by Bruce Joyce and Beverly Showers (2002), demonstrates the importance of coaching in the classroom as a follow-up to training to get the outcomes desired - actual use of new practices. Remember, students do not benefit by interventions they do not receive!

A well-designed Coaching Plan can ensure the keys to quality service delivery – professional development, support and feedback. Over time, this can provide improved service to children and families. 

Source: Joyce, B., & Showers, B. (2002). Student achievement through staff development (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Planning Tools

The SISEP Center offers two planning tools for use in training and coaching development:

  • The Training Plan Template is designed to help guide your team’s planning process in developing a training program.  This tool can be used to guide discussions around rationale, core components, knowledge, skills, outcomes and assessment.   Download Planning Tool
  • The Coaching System Development Worksheet can be used to initiate those early discussions about the importance of coaching and the facilitative supports administrators need to consider to ensure a systemic commitment to coaching.  Download Planning Tool

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