The positive effects of coaching in education are extraordinary. Not only can integrating coaching concepts into classrooms and career or counseling centers be life-changing for students, but using coaching as a means of professional development for school staff can improve overall academic scores and transform a school’s culture. With the amazing results, we see from coaching, it is no wonder that more schools are implementing coaching practices and that more teachers and other school staff are being trained as coaches. This revolution in education has grown slowly over the years, and there is no doubt that it will continue in the years to come.

Effects of Coaching on Students

Over the years, there has been a drastic increase in research related to coaching and its effects on student achievement and overall well-being. Students who have experienced coaching in school or with an individual coach have shown an increase in:

Cognitive functioning such as flexible thinking styles and the ability to see alternate solutions
Academic success, including GPA and test scores
Ability to manage stress and develop action steps for success
Overall well-being and positive outlook

Effects of Coaching on Schools and School Staff

While the effects of integrating coaching concepts into working with students is a widespread research topic, so are the effects of introducing coaching as a means of ongoing professional development for school staff. Research done by the Annenberg Foundation for Education Reform and Elena Aguilar has found a number of positive outcomes from these types of programs in schools, including:

Coaching encourages collaborative and reflective practice in teachers, which reflects in their work with both students and fellow educators.
Effective and instilled professional learning promotes a positive cultural change in a school or system.
Coaching promotes accountability between colleagues and the implementation of improved learning methods.
Coaching supports collective leadership and the exchange of ideas across a school system.

What Do the Effects of Coaching Mean for the Future of Coaching in Education

The benefits of coaching are undeniable, and the future of coaching in education seems to be nothing short of bright. There will likely be a continued increase in the number of individual Academic Life Coaches around the globe, as well as a continued movement in education toward a coaching model.