The Art of Coaching

Conclusion

A Final Story

“Do you want to read what I said at the news conference?” the principal said proudly at the end of the 2011–12 school year. Her middle school had been lauded in a report on reducing the suspension rates of African American boys: in one year, by implementing alternative practices, her school cut this number by 72 percent. This is a significant issue in our district, where the suspension rates for African American boys are astronomical and disproportionate to their white counterparts.

“Of course,” I said. She handed me her notes. The initiative stemmed, she'd written, from engaging her staff and families in a conversation around the school's vision and mission. Their collaborative reflection led to new systems and structures ...