Classroom coaches—also referred to as instructional or training specialists—are not new to public schools. However, they are needed more than ever to help teachers adapt their instruction to implement the Common Core standards in math and English language arts.

“With the Common Core there are so many things we’re expecting to see in the classroom, you really need a guide,” says Robert Rosenfeld, WestEd Senior Program Associate, quoted recently in an EdSource article. “Until you actually try it out with students and have a thought partner (such as a coach) to give you feedback, we don’t see any meaningful changes in the classroom.”

A survey by EdSource of six California districts showed that all are relying on coaches as they move forward to implement the Common Core.

Read the Edsource article.

Rosenfeld is a Lead Trainer and School Assistance and Intervention Team Lead with the Comprehensive School Assistance Program at WestEd.