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A synthesis of action research on coaching

This paper reviews data from 27 final reports of action research projects in the area of instructional coaching undertaken as part of Cycle 4 (2008–2010) of the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI). AISI was an Alberta government programme that provided funding to every school district to allow teachers to create site-based, action research projects they believed would engender school improvement where they work. Teachers created and directed the research, designed the research methods, collected and analysed data, and reported findings in their own words following completion of the project. This paper reviews those action research projects that focused specifically on instructional coaching. To understand the reports written by teachers, the author examined the following questions: (1) What rationale was used to implement coaching as a strategy to support teacher professional learning? (2) What did the various coaching models look like? (3) What were the overall strengths and challenges of using coaching as a strategy? (4) What do AISI findings in the area of coaching tell us about school improvement and leadership? The paper reports specific findings and considers what these research findings suggest for future action and best practice.