Coaching Model Overview

CEI staff have first-hand experience with supporting and turning around low-performing schools. Critical to the development of the strategic action plan for transforming schools, CEI engages in an “assets-mapping” approach to needs assessment. This needs assessment is conducted over several days and examines all aspects of the school, including: Vision/Mission Instructional Priorities/Focus Areas and Effective Leadership; Curriculum Audit; Instructional Practice and RTI; Professional Learning; Assessment Overview: Data Gathering and Analysis; Culture and MTSS; Family and Community Relations; and Operations. A full report is generated and shared with the school’s leadership as the first step in developing a strategic action plan that builds on the existing capacity within each receivership school.

In support of improvement efforts, CEI coaches work with principals to determine data-driven school improvement strategies that focus on critical improvement indicators. The primary focus for CEI’s coaching of the school’s leadership will involve a review of the data indicators, how to use the metrics and progress monitor, and how to develop effective action plans (e.g. next steps, timelines, expected outcomes, etc.). Coaches will work with principals to demonstrate measurable student progress and growth at each administration interval on formative assessments. Of paramount importance is developing the ability of each school team to align their selected skills-based formative assessments with the NYS standards. Additionally, coaches will work with principals to review summer data to inform planning and practices for the following school year.

In analyzing a school’s culture, CEI coaches will work with principals to review student attendance data to focus on positive behavioral support systems to strengthen all students’ attendance as well as developing interventions for students with chronic absenteeism. Similarly, coaches will work with principals to review behavioral incidents (rate, location, time of day, etc.) to better understand the root causes for these incidents and to develop adaptive solutions that build a supportive culture and climate. Related to all of these outcomes, coaches will work with principals to identify the strategies for improvement in order to codify these strategies and their impact (student outcomes) in the school’s reports.

The information that follows presents an overview of CEI’s coaching philosophy and model and the structure of CEI’s coaching.