Current Issue - Fall 2009

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The Evolving Role of a Mathematics Coach During the Implementation of Performance Standards

Samuel Obara, Texas State University, San Marcos
Margaret Sloan, Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School

Abstract
The primary goal of this study was to investigate the role of the mathematics coach at Tabaka Middle School during the school’s implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards through the utilization of Connected Mathematics Project materials. The study explores the coach’s emergent understanding of her role as she provided teachers support through professional development, observation, and feedback in dealing with new content, adapting to new methods of teaching, working in collaborative groups, adapting to new ways of assessing students, and learning how to use new curriculum materials. The study suggests that in regards to teacher beliefs and practices, teachers benefit from a site-based long-term professional development program that targets content and pedagogical knowledge. The study underscores the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and having a mathematics coach on site in bringing to reality a new vision of a school’s mathematics program.

General Educators’ In-Service Training and Their Self-Perceived Ability to Adapt Instruction for Students With IEPs

Karl W. Kosko & Jesse L. M. Wilkins
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University

Abstract
Recent research has suggested that the professional development general educators receive is not adequately preparing them to properly implement inclusion-based practices. In this study, data from the Study of Personnel Needs in Special Education was used to investigate the relationship among teachers’ years of experience teaching students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), the amount of professional development received over the past 3 years, and teachers’ self-perceived ability to adapt instruction for students with IEPs. Results indicate that any amount of professional development in a 3-year period significantly predicts teachers’ perceived ability to adapt instruction; however, at least 8 hours of professional development in a 3-year time frame was related to an increase in teachers’ perceived ability to adapt instruction, more than twice the effect of less than 8 hours. Additionally, professional development was found to be a better predictor for increasing perceived ability to adapt instruction than was teacher experience with instructing students who
have IEPs.

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