This month’sCoaching in Actionblog shares the story of a retired teacher turned classroom coach and the strategies he used to lead a district’s successful implementation of areading intervention program.
After we retired from a Michigan public school district in 2015, my wife and I moved to California. Antsy after one month, I volunteered in a kindergarten class for the remainder of the school year. When I discovered that my master’s degree and Michigan teaching certificates didn’t qualify me for a 30-day emergency substitute license in the state of California, I explored career options with HMH and have never looked back. It turns out, my background in hybrid/blended learning made me a good candidate to help with the implementation of reading intervention programs.
The Mark of a Successful Implementation
The school district in California turned to118博金宝in 2016 and has since expanded its use from 18 classrooms to 24—along with eight classrooms of third grade after-school classes using the companion program,System 44. In the first year, the district’s Lexile®average grew by 80 points, and by midway through the second year it was up nearly another 90 points. Many students are reaching grade-level proficiency, and our lead teacher in the district was a finalist for HMH’s 180 Educator Awards.
The Key Ingredients to Success
Here are some positive contributing factors to our success:
- The district administration was supportive every step of the way, showing patience with a new program and running it with fidelity.
- We provided 36 coaching days in the first year of implementation.
- All parties contributed to a positive mindset.
- Data review was a continual part of the process.
- Testing windows and running reports were closely adhered to.
- Coaches or the lead teacher conducted cadre meetings.
The Teachers’ Perspective
During our implementation, teachers began seeing students reading more and more books—and they saw the Lexile scores jump. The students were excited about the lessons and especially about the new software. As teachers learned how to deliver the program properly, it became much more user-friendly to them; they had all they needed at their fingertips. They reached out to me often and were always extremely thankful.
Many of the teachers expressed to me how they had never seen results like this before. Here are some of the strategic efforts that contributed to the teachers’ success:
- Participating teachers, who were carefully selected, were held accountable and took ownership of the program.
- Training was geared toward the district’s specific needs and extended to paraprofessionals and school administrators as well.
- Teachers implemented an ongoing rewards system to acknowledge victories big and small.
- Teachers conferred consistently with students on their progress.
Strategies—and Honest Appraisal—From the Coach
As a new coach, I found the implementation process absolutely exhausting! I referred to myself as a “blue collar” coach, literally working 28 days the first September, including Saturdays and Sundays, doing whatever work was needed to ensure that teachers and students got the most out of the program. My coaching strategy included:
- a true hands-on approach with both students and teachers;
- 24/7 availability for teachers to reach out to consultants by phone or email;
- a yearlong focus on the use of the program from the teacher and student perspectives; and
- ongoing flexibility and troubleshooting to respond to individual needs and issues.
While challenging at the outset, coaching became extremely rewarding as I began to see such positive results. The district is now reaping the benefits, and the results are amazing—that’s what matters most!
***
Visit our website to learn more about the118博金宝andSystem 44programs, and learn about the full range of HMH coaching optionshere.
Lexile®is a trademark of MetaMetrics, Inc., and is registered in the United States and abroad.
Be the first to read the latest fromShaped.
CORE CURRICULUM
HMH Social Studies, 6-12
SEE ALL SOCIAL STUDIES
AP & ELECTIVES
AP Human Geography
Personal Finance
SEE ALL SOCIAL STUDIES
AP & ELECTIVES
SUPPLEMENTAL
Connected Teaching and Learning
HMH’s Connected Teaching and Learning integrates assessment, core instruction, supplemental practice, intervention, and professional learning all on one platform.
Professional Development
Providing professional development for teachers, HMH’s professional learning courses, coaching, and leadership advisory supports educators every step of the way.
Keeping It Current For Grades 6–12
Each month we bring you videos, articles, and current events designed to build cultural awareness, media literacy, and a deeper understanding of significant historical figures and events.
For Teachers
Coaching Membership
Teacher's Corner
Live Online Courses
SEE ALL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
For Leaders
ICLE (International Center for Leadership in Education)
Intervention Curriculum
HMH's K-12 intervention programs are built on 20+ years of proven results. We can help teachers develop an intervention curriculum that meets students' needs.
Science of Reading eBook
In this exclusive Science of Reading eBook you’ll find research-backed information that will walk you through the experience new readers face as they build their reading brain.
Model Schools Conference
Join us for our 31st annual Model School Conferences presented by ICLE. We showcase districts, schools, and educators who have achieved success.
AP & Electives
Assessment
Early Learning
English Language Development
Homeschool
Intervention
Literacy
Mathematics
Professional Development
Science
School Improvement
Social and Emotional Learning
Social Studies
Special Education
Summer School
SEE ALL SOLUTIONS
Intervention Curriculum
HMH's K-12 intervention programs are built on 20+ years of proven results. We can help teachers develop an intervention curriculum that meets students' needs.
BROWSE RESOURCES
Classroom Activities
Customer Success Stories
Digital Samples
Events & Webinars
Grants & Funding
国际
Research Library
Shaped - HMH Blog
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Contact Sales
Customer Service & Technical Support Portal
Platform Login
Free Teaching Resources: Fun Classroom Activities and Lesson Plan Ideas
Here you'll find free learning activities, lessons, downloadables, and videos for students in Grades K–12 to keep learning and growing at grade level.
2022–2023 Monthly Calendar Themes for School
Check out these monthly calendar themes for school, complete with teaching resources for holidays and other days of significance for all grade levels.
Learn about us
About
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Governance
News Announcements
Our Legacy
Social Responsibility
Supplier Diversity
Join Us
Careers
Educator Input Panel
Suppliers and Vendors
Divisions
Heinemann
ICLE (International Center for Leadership in Education)
NWEA