Academic Coaches

Coaching isnt just for athletes ..teachers are learning that in Springfield classrooms. For 10 years ..district 186 has wanted to do more than help students directly.. its wanted to help teachers. And it seems to be working.. the coaching framework program has helped to bring up student test scores in the last 4 years. At Harvard Park Elementary ... Some students have struggled to make the grade. However, in the last 4 years reading scores have improved by 75 percent. And the district says reading coaches are responsible for that. The district invested over a quarter of million dollars in the last year towards coaches in the classroom. Its a program designed for all teachers not just struggling teachers to help adults help students and special needs students meet challenges and problem solving. These coaches are also in the classroom for teachers to model after. And one math coach says shes using videotape as one way to reach out to teachers. "We think were asking questions in an equitable way. We think we are giving enough wait time to get kids to think but when you actually put that DVD in and you watch yourself, and I, when I first do I just hand the DVD to the teachers and let them look at it. And its so neat to see the reflection." Said Marsh Elementary math coach, Kathy Fetter. Theres about 42 coaches district wide. Not all schools can afford their own coach. However, all schools can share them. District board members say they like like the idea but say more coaches are needed to make this a true success. The district dished out an additional 167 thousand dollars towards math coaches this school year.