Literacy Coaching clearinghouse launched

“Coaches are the bridge between our vision and making our vision reality in the classroom,” said Nancy Shanklin, director of the recently launched Literacy Coaching Clearinghouse (LCC). The clearinghouse website, which can be accessed at www.literacycoachingonline.org, went live in early October 2006.

The clearinghouse, a joint project of the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English, held a launch event in Washington, DC, on October 26 to introduce the LCC to interested organizations. Noting that “coaching is job-embedded professional development for working teachers,” Shanklin outlined the major goals of the LCC:

to support literacy/instructional coaches as they help teachers reflect upon their teaching,

to improve preK–12 students’ literacy learning and achievement,

to help districts and schools develop comprehensive literacy/instructional coaching programs,

to develop and support a professional learning community on literacy coaching, and

to suggest resources and research that will help reach these goals.

Shanklin talked about the components of the clearinghouse, which include an electronic library, links to other resources, a blog, monthly forums, topical briefs, and more. Two briefs are posted already: “What Is Effective Literacy Coaching?” and “Qualifications for Literacy Coaches: Achieving the Gold Standard.” The clearinghouse will continue to grow and add material over time, Shanklin noted.

One key issue the LCC is addressing is the qualifications of literacy coaches. “In order for coaching to succeed, we need really highly qualified people in positions as literacy coaches,” Shanklin said.

The site is also developing a section that will feature about 10 important considerations to help districts and schools develop coaching programs, using models from effective existing programs. It is important for schools and districts to develop support systems to create a comprehensive coaching program, Shanklin said. “If coaching is to work in schools, schools must work together as a professional learning community.”

Shanklin gave attendees a quick overview of the site, demonstrating how easy it was to navigate. “My goal is to think about the professionals in the field and make the site easy to use,” she said. Questions and comments from the audience indicated a high level of interest in the site.

Noting that the clearinghouse materials would be updated often, Shanklin urged attendees to visit www.literacycoachingonline.org frequently. Additional information on coaching also is available at the IRA website. Specifically, you can find the material on coaching at www.reading.org/resources/issues/focus_coaching.html.

Literacy Coaching Clearinghouse launched. (December 2006/January 2007). Reading Today, 24(3), 1.