Strengthening Instructional Coaching Practices: Continuous Quality Improvement for Teachers
The Continuous Improvement for Teachers (CIT) research project is aimed at identifying the cost and effectiveness of evidence-based approaches to instructional coaching by providing free professional development to pre-k 3 and pre-k 4 teachers beginning Fall 2023. This professional development (PD) is a comprehensive suite of resources aimed at enhancing teacher effectiveness and, consequently, improving school readiness in prekindergarten children. Professional development for early childhood teachers is essential for building knowledge and skills to provide high-quality cognitive-academic instruction within responsive teacher-child interactions.
This investigation aims to advance understanding by incorporating various approaches, such as guided self-study, facilitated professional communities (PLCs), and remote coaching. The study focuses on enhancing teacher knowledge, data-based instruction, goal setting, ongoing practice and learning, guided reflection, and improving teacher-child interactions.
Research Design
This study involves three contrasting PD approaches: guided self-study, PLCs, and remote coaching. The study will also include a control group using standard practices. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the four groups. All participants will be asked to complete study commitments:
- Pass out/collect parent consent forms provided by CLI staff
- Allow trained CLI staff to collect teacher and student data twice during the school year (teacher observations, child assessments)
- Complete online questionnaires twice during the school year
Key Benefits
Many districts currently utilize CLI Engage making it a natural fit for research that advances teaching skill through the flexibility and utilization of the CLI Engage platform. Teachers and students can learn and apply continuous improvement approaches in their teaching approaches, while increasing knowledge about evidence-based practices for preschool aged children.
CLI Faculty:
April Crawford, Ph.D.Principal Investigator:
April Crawford, Ph.D.Co-Investigator:
Cheryl Varghese, Ph.D., Yoonkyung Oh, PhD, Michael Assel, Ph.D., Michael Mesa, Ph.D., Keisey Fumero, Ph.D.Participating Sites:
At this time, we have 30 ISD’s/Head Start/Child Care Sites. Active recruitment is still taking place, so this number is subject to change.
ABC Children’s Academy, Alvin ISD, Amazing Kid’z Christian Academy, Castleberry ISD, Clear Creek ISD, Corpus Christi ISD, Dallas ISD, EOAC Waco Head Start, Fort Bend ISD, Grace Kidz World Academy #1, Harmony Public Schools, Hunt ISD, Jean Massieu Academy, KidsWorld, Kingdom Class Kids Center, La Joya ISD, Malone ISD, Mercedes ISD, NINOs, Odyssey Academy, Pearsall ISD, Pettus ISD, Precious Jewels Learning Center, PSJA ISD, Round Top-Carmine ISD, Seymour ISD, Spring ISD, Steeplecrest Child Care, White Oak ISD, Wilma’s Little Darlins Daycare
