Welcome to Instructional Coaching
iCoaching (or Instructional Coaching) is an innovative research partnership of South Carolina’s Coalition for Math and Science (SCCMS) and the Math and Science Unit (MSU) of the State Department of Education.
Thirty-five (35) iCoaches are actively working with middle school math and science teachers across The Palmetto State to enhance instructional effectiveness and to increase student achievement. The iCoaches were selected to serve for a three-year period under contractual agreements signed by SCCMS, their campus principals, and their district superintendents.
The iCoaching model is similar to the SCCMS/MSU successful K-5 coaching model now in its fifth year. All iCoaches attend four summer institutes and participate in follow-up sessions. To prepare the iCoaches for their first year on campus, they attend two one-week institutes during the summer preceding the start of the school year. During each school year the iCoaches attend monthly follow-up sessions. In years two and three the iCoaches attend two additional summer institutes.
Between follow-up sessions the iCoaches are supported by four specialists and the eight MSU regional coordinators.
All support is provided via virtual technologies. The iCoaching initiative is collecting data through this website and other media to answer three research questions:
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Can math and science coaches be supported effectively and efficiently through virtual technologies?
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If math and science coaches can be supported effectively and efficiently, then to what degree can virtual technologies be used to provide this support?
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How many specialists are needed to effectively and efficiently support iCoaches via virtual technologies?
Please use the features of this website to share information and ideas on how to better leverage our available resources within the iCoaching community. Your contributions are welcomed and encouraged!