Responsive Coaching and School Improvement: How K-12 Principals and Their Coaches Set and Pursue Goals

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session One
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT077 (Wednesday)

Abstract

Despite increasing use of leadership coaching for K-12 principals for school improvement, little is known about the development of the coach-principal relationship and collaborative goal-setting process. Using interviews with principals and coaches during a two-year leadership coaching program, this study finds that coach-principal dyads generally craft goals that fall within five broad themes (leadership, community, instruction, achievement, and personal). While some principals address a consistent goal theme over the program duration, other principals vary their goals from session to session. As the relationship between coach and principal grows over time, so does the proportion of time spent addressing long-term development instead of short-term needs in coaching sessions. These findings have implications for coaching preparation and understanding of principal needs.

Authors

• Jenna Nichols, University of Pennsylvania

• Jonathan A. Supovitz, University of Pennsylvania