Coaching for Equity-Oriented Continuous Improvement

• In Event: Equity-Oriented Improvement Approaches in Diverse Educational Settings: Insights From England, California, and Beyond

Abstract

Coaching is a form of professional learning that contextualizes learning and personalizes the development of knowledge and skills to improve professional practice and the student experience. Coaching for equity-oriented continuous improvement focuses on changing systems. This exploratory case study uses documents, observations, and interviews with improvement coaches, school design teams, and district partners to describe a coaching model for equity-focused change and the changes in actions because of coaching. Coaches engaged in five types of practices coach as conductor, thought partner, team builder, empathizer, and cheerleader. These practices resulted in school teams initiating change in their oppressive systems through reflection, collective action, collaboration, and data use.

Authors

• Erin Anderson, University of Denver

• Samantha Davis, University of Denver