Following are the results of our 10-month collaborative project with the Howard County School System, which took place from August 2004 to May 2005

 
We see research as a major component of the Foundation’s work and as we collaborate with school systems, corporations and individuals on various projects, we will share our findings with you

Twenty educational leaders volunteered to participate in the ten-month long program, Coaching Skills for Educational Leaders. The program, based on the International Coach Federation’s coaching core competencies and the Inspired Learning Model™ principles, emphasized the use of ground rules called The Standards of Presence as a tool to create a learning culture of trust, openness, and safety.

The program included:

1. An initial four-day session to introduce and teach coaching skills.
2. Teleclasses to reinforce skills and learning.
3. Practice sessions with peer coaches.
4. A mid-year seminar.
5. Practice in coaching offered by participants.
6. An end-of-year seminar with presentations of “projects of excellence.”

The research study evaluated the extent to which the program produced improvements in the coaching skills of participants. By developing new measures of self-reported proficiencies in coaching competencies, the study sought to break new ground by demonstrating methods for quantifying participants’ levels of coaching skill and for assessing changes in skill levels over time. Qualitative information also was obtained to provide behavioral reports about how participants applied the skills they learned in their schools

The study found a significant increase in participants’ self-reported proficiency in coaching skills over the ten-month program, as measured by the Coaching Skills Proficiency Survey (CSPS). In August, 2004, participants’ average self-rating on a seven point Likert scale indicated Moderate Proficiency.

In January 2005, the average rating indicated Moderately High Proficiency, while in May2005, the average rating indicated nearly a High Proficiency level. The change in average proficiency ratings from August 2004 to May 2005 represented an increase of one and a half levels in proficiency. The study’s findings suggest not only that participants strongly valued their experience with the program, but that they also demonstrated a greater sense of mastery and confidence in their use of coaching skills

A full report of the findings is available by clicking here