Charleroi Area Benefits From Coaching Initiative

By Les Harvath

For the past three school years, Charleroi Area High School has been part of the Pennsylvania High School Coaching Initiative, but it has nothing to do with scoring touchdowns or making free throws or smashing home runs.

Instead, PAHSCI is “a comprehensive, cooperative groundbreaking strategy designed to increase student achievement,” noted Executive Director Ellen Eisenberg.

Created in 2005 by The Annenberg Foundation (a nonprofit organization to enhance the arts, education, and civic programs) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the $31 million, three- year investment was launched and “early results clearly show marked improvements in standardized test scores for math and reading,” Eisenberg continued.

Even though the program is about to embark on its fourth year and is still in a relatively infant stage, “positive changes are already being seen in classroom instruction, student engagement and student learning,” Eisenberg said, adding that the program is a “one-on-one instructional coaching, mentoring and professional development model designed specifically for high school educators. Professional development and one-on-one instructional coaching must be part of the equation for raising student test scores.”

Charleroi Area, however, has opted not to continue direct involvement with PASCHI funding, but “will continue to use the strategies which have led to additional student achievement,” Charleroi Area High School Principal Vince Vitori said.

Although Vitori noted the program “is geared for English and math classrooms and to improve PSSA scores, we are fortunate in that our English scores were already high, but our math numbers have improved by 6 percent the last two years. Although we will not be directly involved, we have access to different funding for our math coach and will continue to use the strategies which have led to additional student achievement.”

When selecting the high schools, which represent varied regions throughout the commonwealth, to be involved with the program, several factors were considered, including where performance levels have been low or students have been identified as at risk and/or in need of additional and varied instruction to increase/improve performance levels, or based on school- and community-wide socio- economic issues.

However, the Pennsylvania Department of Education also asked PAHSCI to enter into a partnership with some schools where performance levels are already high. Some 32,000 students are benefiting from the program.

“PAHSCI is unique in its reform design and is centered on instructional coaching and mentoring to improve student achievement and to stimulate effective education reform nationwide,” Eisenberg noted. “Coaches provide classroom support for teachers, including assisting in identifying academic needs of students and determining which research-based concepts will be effective.”

At Charleroi Area, teachers and coaches were selected through staff development programs, said Vitori. Once selected, English and math coaches conducted workshops and taught PAHSCI strategies to teachers in other disciplines.

Prior to going into individual school districts and classrooms, the coaches, often referred to as coordinators, had extensive training with the strategies to be implemented. Once implemented, coaches continue to work with teachers on professional development, often during school time, with teachers visiting coaches during their prep periods. Texts and technology have been obtained with grant funds, providing interesting supplementary concepts and new projects introduced into the classrooms.

Coaches present differing instructional models, and teachers are able to implement those models to fit individual classes, lessons, and objectives.

“This program is changing the atmosphere of schools,” Vitori added. “We have incorporated more presentations via new technology as well. This program is student-driven, based on the techniques and strategies used in the classroom. Teachers are more involved and their classroom strategies are outlined in their lesson plans. With the students more actively involved in the classroom and classroom activities, more group activities come into play and they get more out of their education. We have seen the program have a positive impact on student achievement.”

Eisenberg has seen the program’s success in only three years. PAHSCI’s instructional coaching model provides support to enhance teacher quality with meaningful professional development tied to standards, curriculum and research. Additionally, this program not only provides ongoing professional development tied to teacher practices and standards, but follow-up support is designed to effectively implement new learning and encourages reflective practices and instruction.

Along with other schools involved with the program, Charleroi also has experienced the “snowball effect,” in which teachers in disciplines other than English and math discover innovative lesson plans and incorporate them into their classroom presentations. All concepts are research-based and teachers are more willing to share their ideas and adapt their instructional practices, resulting in increased student involvement.

And unexpected side effects also are realized.

“Our attendance has also improved as students don’t want to let other students down when conducting their group activities,” Vitori noted. “And we have also seen discipline improve in the classrooms because more students are actively involved. It has been nice to be a part of the initial aspects of the program, and equally as nice to have access to and continue the programs. With the positives we have seen thus far, I’m sure we’ll see additional benefits in the years to come.”

(c) 2008 Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.