Impact on Practice: A Coach's Perspective on the Progress Made

• In Event: Integrating Research, Practice, and Design: A 10-Year Collaborative Effort to Improve Middle-Grades Reading Comprehension

Abstract

A key feature of the new model for educational research is the practitioner-researcher partnership, and the recognition that multiple sources of wisdom about improving education available from practitioners are typically neglected. The role of practitioners has been crucial in the body of work described in this symposium: selecting the problem to focus on, defining that problem so as to make it researchable, selecting topics for curricular programs, and providing feedback so that the programs developed can be implemented with optimal ease.

Coaches working in schools implementing either or both of the new programs, Word Generation and STARI, have provided a key channel of communication between teachers using the materials and the research and design team writing, editing, and modifying the curricular materials. The curriculum is delivered to teachers/students either via paper workbooks or on tablets, and the participation of a SERP design team has been important in making those materials as accessible as possible. The design team has also developed web-based professional development resources, again in collaboration with practitioners who have allowed their classrooms to be video recorded and who have given feedback on the aspects of the programs where they need more support to ensure good implementation.

Author

• Carol Mahedy, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District