Introduction to Coaching 
BayCES coaching transforms schools and leaders. Over the last 11 years, BayCES coaching has supported hundreds of leaders and teachers in dozens of urban schools to improve the experiences and outcomes of historically under-served students.
To see dramatic increases in student achievement and equity, we address the very nature of educational institutions and practices: the school's purposes and structures; the staff's beliefs, values, and ways of working together; the teachers' methods for engaging and teaching students; and the leadership required to initiate and sustain change.
BayCES coaching focuses on equity.
Educational equity is the civil rights issue of our time and the core of our mission. BayCES partners with leaders to create schools where achievement patterns do not correlate to race, gender, language, or socioeconomic status. Many educators feel committed to equity in principle but have not fully examined how they impact it in practice. BayCES coaches are skilled at turning tacit beliefs into explicit discussions, plans, and results.
"My coach supports me by helping teachers develop the language and courage to bring issues to the table."
BayCES coaching turns plans into results.
According to a recent Stanford University review, high-achieving schools serving low-income children share a common set of practices, including:
- Teacher support and training - Teacher collaboration
- Data that informs instruction - Student services
- Partnerships with parents - High expectations for students
Many studies show, however, that the impact of these strategies depends on school readiness and the quality of implementation. In under-resourced schools where stress can be high, teachers and leaders are rebuilding the boat while going upstream. BayCES coaches prepare and coordinate the people and the plans to facilitate the entire improvement process while building the capacity of the school and leaders to implement and sustain the work on their own.
"[Our coach] is helping us develop teacher leadership and collaboration to build trust, shared responsibility, and higher teacher buy-in."
BayCES coaching is tailored to partner needs.
BayCES coaches work with each school and district partner to identify priority outcomes and develop a personalized coaching approach. Research shows that coaching is most effective when well-trained coaches are matched with specific school and district needs. BayCES uses research-based models to identify a partner's current stage of development and to set attainable, measurable goals.
"Our coach is a sounding board for different ideas, provides analysis about people and issues in the school, and supports teacher leaders in carrying out changes I'm pushing in the school."
BayCES coaching is professional coaching.
Many coaches are former educators or subject area experts who are not necessarily trained in coaching. BayCES is highly selective in hiring and invests heavily in coach professional development. BayCES coaches are former principals and teachers with an average of 15 years of education and eight years of coaching experience. Many coaches have technical expertise in areas such as data management and inquiry, advisory, master scheduling, subject areas, and more.
"With BayCES, you get assigned a coach but you get access to the whole organization."
BayCES provides a wide range of coaching services - please see the coaching service descriptions in this section of the web site. To learn more about how BayCES coaching can support your school or district, please contact us for a consultation by emailing info (at) bayces.org.
