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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Coaching Principals | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Coaching Principals | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:

Coaching Principals

CEOs do it. Superintendents do it. Actors even do it–but birds and bees don’t do it. They don’t hire coaches.

Nor do fourth graders.

The coaching industry, originating in the private sector, has grown and spilled over schools beginning about a quarter-century ago. Distinguishing between mentors (insiders) and coaches (outsiders) who bolster failing executives from those who boost rising stars in the organization continue to plague the coaching industry in corporate America and in education.

Sorting out coaches who offer their services in peer-coaching from mentors or whatever is the catch-phrase du jour, however, is not the major issue influencing coaching especially when principals are concerned.

In the previous post, Dave Sherman described test day at his Chicago suburban elementary school. That day