EdWeek featured our resource, High-quality mentoring and instructional coaching practices, which spells out some of the differences between effective, research-based mentoring and coaching programs and the weaker imitations that are far too common. If you are serious about retention, these differences matter.

The article focused on how great mentors and coaches need professional learning in:

• strategies for building trusting relationships,
• practice using entry points and language to position themselves in facilitative roles, and
• tools to guide job-embedded conversations focused on instruction.

They also need leaders to set them up for success. EdWeek highlighted the right first steps in establishing (or reinvigorating) high-quality programs, including:

• Pick the right people
• Define roles and responsibilities
• Dedicate the time

It also highlights the work of our partners in Hawai’i and Minnesota to support coaches of special education teachers.

Learn what else to prioritize to build great programs. Our resource synthesizes research and practice wisdom from our work with thousands of districts and schools, partnerships that reflect deep commitments to induction, teacher development, and student success.