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RSU 14 literacy and math coaches show rapid gains in coached classrooms; district plans parent 'coaches night'
Summary
K–5 literacy and math coaches told the board that targeted coaching cycles produced large gains in sample classrooms — kindergarten phonemic‑awareness scores rose 19–35 points in coached classrooms and a second‑grade fluency intervention produced marked gains. The district will host a coaches night for parents Jan. 21.
Two RSU 14 instructional coaches presented research‑based, classroom‑level results to the board on Jan. 7 and urged early, targeted intervention.
K–5 literacy coach Jessica Melcher described a focus on phonemic awareness and said three kindergarten classrooms that received continuous coaching grew 19 to 35 points on the DIBELS PSF measure — two to four times the national average for that interval. "When we gave this assessment in November, we had all students in the class move from intensive and strategic to 0 percent intensive," Melcher said, reviewing a sample classroom that began the year with about 70% not meeting benchmarks.
Melcher also described a six‑week, half‑hour intervention for a second‑grade PLC that improved oral‑reading fluency: the share meeting grade‑level benchmarks rose from 31% to 31% meeting and 69% exceeding after the cycle. She emphasized that the work includes coaching cycles, modeling, and ongoing data checks with teachers and interventionists.
Math coach Kirsten Chansky described district work on number sense and shared classroom examples in which counting proficiency and multiplication readiness increased substantially after targeted assessment and intervention. "One of the difficult parts is that if teachers don't have a really strong sense of how number sense develops, a good program is not going to give kids what they need," Chansky said.
Board members asked whether the work could be scaled beyond small PLCs. Coaches said coaching yields results when teachers seek and value support, and scaling requires administrative backing and resources. Presenters also announced a family 'coaches night' on Jan. 21 at Manchester School to share strategies parents can use at home; the flyer will be distributed via ParentSquare and a recording option may be made available.
Next steps: coaches will provide a resource list for the board ahead of budget season, pursue grant opportunities to fund expanded support, and capture parent‑night materials for broader distribution.
