Authors: Daniella Molle, Christy Reveles

May 2013, 25 pp.

Abstract: This study investigated a 2012 coaching process in which state educational representatives (SEAs) from six states were coached by staff from the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) consortium. The project aimed to improve the quality of the professional development states offer their educators. The project was a pilot in which each SEA was paired with a WIDA coach. At the end of the coaching process, SEAs and their coaches co-constructed an actionable professional development plan for the following academic year, anchored in a vision for the professional learning of educators working with English language learners.

The research study revealed that all stakeholders highly valued the process and that it offered different but equally significant benefits for both veteran and new WIDA member states. These benefits include positive shifts in the professional development provided by SEAs related to English language learners and a stronger grounding of the planning process in the needs of educators. The research also highlighted several factors that contributed to the success of the coaching process. Finally, the research traced the development of the WIDA coaches during the collaboration process. Based on the study, the authors offer several recommendations for strengthening the collaborative process in future years.

Keywords: coaching, state representatives, professional development, English language learners

Read the full working paper: Collaborating with States on Professional Development Planning (PDF)