Exploring Literacy Coach Research in Canada: A Review

The purpose of this review is to understand literacy coach research in Canada in order to facilitate further research in this regard. Research about literacy coaches in Canada remains at an initial stage, and there is no universally accepted definition of a “literacy coach.” Most literacy coach research in Canada has used a qualitative method. The research has shown that literacy coaches in Canada, who act as both guides and supporters in schools, also experience many challenges such as role confusion and inadequate time for carrying out their work. Scholars believe that setting up coaching models and collaboration may be ideal ways to deal with these problems. This review also found that the research has concentrated on literacy coaches in elementary and secondary schools in Ontario. This article concludes with implications and suggestions for future research about Canadian literacy coaches. More analysis about literacy coaches’ identity, their relationships with other stakeholders in the education system, and the challenges they face is needed in the Canadian context.

Lived Experience of Literacy Coaches in the Technology-based Classrooms to improve Students’ Literacy among Non-traditional High Schools in Jamaica

Purpose of the study: This research sought to investigate the extent to which the Alternative Pathways to Secondary Education (APSE) program implemented in Jamaica to address deficits in literacy has worked in addressing the apparent achievement gap which is so evident among students in Non- traditional High schools. The research also sought to determine what kind of support is needed for Literacy coaches and literacy teachers to maximize these students’ learning opportunities. This qualitative phenomenological study employed the thematic text analysis approach. This study selected pathway /literacy coaches based on the Secondary school/ Non- traditional high schools selected for the study. The research attempted to investigate the challenges that these seven coaches experienced in integrating technology in their guiding of the Apse program in improving students learning challenges in Literacy. The research found that students in the Apse program were mainly at-risk children who came from low-income homes and who were predominantly boys who had learning difficulties. It was concluded that more technological resources were needed in Non- traditional schools. The Alternative Pathways to Secondary Education (APSE) program has a high accountability measure which helped to improve students’ performance in Literacy. The researcher recommends increased personnel in guidance departments to stem behavioral issues, policy development for increased technological integration in schools, and more accountability measures for students.

Using critical discourse analysis to reflect on collaborative professional learning

PurposeThis article presents a case study of Kelly, a third-grade teacher enrolled in a literacy leadership course within a Master of Reading program. In this course, practicing teachers completed an assignment in which they implemented a literacy coaching cycle with a colleague, video-recorded their interaction, and conducted critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the interaction. The authors explore how engaging in CDA influenced Kelly's enactment of professional identities as she prepared to be a literacy leader.Design/methodology/approachData presented in this article are taken from a larger study of four white, middle-class teachers enrolled in the course. Data sources included the students' final paper and semistructured interviews. The researchers used qualitative coding methods to analyze all data sources, identify prominent themes, and select Kelly as a focal participant for further analysis.FindingsFindings indicate that Kelly's confidence as a literacy leader grew after participating in the coaching cycle and conducting CDA. Through CDA, Kelly explored how prominent discourses of teaching and learning, particularly those relating to novice and expert status, influenced Kelly in-the-moment coaching interactions.Originality/valuePrevious literacy coaching research suggests that literacy coaches need professional learning opportunities that support a deep understanding of coaching stances and discursive moves to effectively support teachers. The current study suggests that CDA may be one promising method for engaging literacy coaches in such work because it allows coaches to gain understandings about how discourses of teaching and learning function within coaching interactions.

Training Novice Literacy Coaches Through a Coaching Rounds Framework

Teacher preparation programs are responsible for training literacy specialists/literacy coaches to be effective teacher leaders. To do this, graduate student candidates need scaffolded experiences in working with adult learners as novice coaches. As part of an online capstone coaching course, researchers at two universities implemented a Coaching Rounds Framework to train novice coaches in using coaching language and coaching stances in authentic coaching experiences with class peers and teacher colleagues. Results indicate that by using a Gradual Release of Responsibility model in which candidates view exemplar coaching videos, rehearse coaching conversations with class peers, and analyze their authentic coaching conversations with teacher colleagues, candidates effectively support teachers in literacy instruction and engage in reflective practices.

Coach Professional Development in the Urban Emergent Context

This article explicates the structure, content, and pedagogy of an urban district’s professional development for literacy coaches. To analyze qualitative data on a district’s yearlong coach professional development, I utilize situated cognition theory. Observation and interview data reveal that the coach community of practice (CCOP) was a venue in which coaches engaged in a variety of learning activities regarding literacy instruction, coaching, and school reform. The content of CCOP addressed a band of literacy instruction (e.g., assessment and intervention programs) and coaching methods. The pedagogy of CCOP was loosely aligned with two dimensions of situated cognition: social interaction and authentic activity. There were limited opportunities to critically examine contextualized problems of practice regarding instruction, coaching, or the district context. Coaches rarely discussed their own work routines, teacher practice, or student learning. Although coaches received support around how to coach, this occurred in the absence of clarity around the substance of this coaching. Coaches reported benefiting from opportunities to interact professionally with other coaches from across the district. This article has implications for research on district capacity-building efforts, situated cognition, and the design and implementation of professional development for instructional leaders.

The Literacy Coach's Role in Supporting Teachers' Implementation of the Common Core State Standards in Writing

The purpose of this chapter is to report on the findings of a writing survey with elementary classroom teachers (n=39) who attended graduate programs at two four-year colleges. In this study, the authors examine teachers' perceptions of their Professional Development (PD) in the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for writing and describe their PD needs. The chapter concludes with recommendations and suggestions about how literacy coaches can best implement multiple levels of support in writing instruction including school-wide and grade level PDs as well as coaching and in-class support.

Comprehensive Literacy Coaching

Built upon the seminal work of Lee Shulman's (1987) CPK framework for preparing teachers, the Content, Pedagogical, Political, and Professional Knowledge (CPPPK) model is designed as a tool for training literacy coaches in PK–12 settings. Whether through case review, role-play, or embedded practice, the CPPPK framework allows preservice literacy coaches to engage with problems of practice linked to content, pedagogy, policy, and professionalism. This tailored practice and ample rehearsal-based education equips literacy coaches with the flexibility in theory and interpersonal talents to address and assist in all variables linked to coaching that results in improved student achievement.

Coaches as Skillful Collaborators

Coaches wear multiple hats. However, the primary service they provide is supporting administrators and teachers. Coaches are an important part of school-wide initiatives but more information is needed on how they support teaching and learning at middle and high school levels. In this chapter, the authors used the guide Standards for Literacy Coaches to examine the work of coaches in three urban schools. Further, the paper reports how coaching impacted teachers' practice. Document and content analysis of classroom observation checklists, field notes, and professional development artifacts were examined. Results show that the coaches described here worked primarily as skillful collaborators guiding teachers in curriculum development, providing in-class coaching, and working with administrators. Coaches assisted with lessons by co-teaching, modeled lessons for teachers, met with teachers to plan units and lessons, and provided teachers with a wide range of instructional resources.