## ESSENTIALS OF Practice-Based Coaching

Supporting Effective Practices in Early Childhood

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## Praise for

# Praise for

Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching
“For too long the early care and education field has sidelined the importance of early childhood 
educators’ competent practice. Given the expanding knowledge base about children’s early learning and

educators’ competent practice. Given the expanding knowledge base about children’s early learning and 
the exponential growth of professional development opportunities, this book could not be more timely.”

the exponential growth of professional development opportunities, this book could not be more timely.” 
—Stacie G. Goffin, Ed.D., Principal, 
Goffin Strategy Group, LLC, and author of Early Childhood

Education For A New Era: Leading For Our Profession
“Written by the premier experts on the subject, this book is a must-have for anyone using or 
supporting practice-based coaching in early childhood settings. Filled with countless tips and 
strategies, this book will be an incredibly useful tool for both new and experienced practice-based

strategies, this book will be an incredibly useful tool for both new and experienced practice-based 
coaches—and everyone in between.” 
—Rob Corso, Ph.D., Senior Researcher,

—Rob Corso, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, 
Vanderbilt University
“What a gift! Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox provide us with a thorough grounding in the theory 
and research undergirding practice-based coaching. Then, they offer practical steps and guides for 
implementing the approach. This is an indispensable resource for understanding and implementing

implementing the approach. This is an indispensable resource for understanding and implementing 
practice-based coaching.” 
—Susan R. Sandall, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus,

—Susan R. Sandall, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, 
University of Washington
“A thorough description of effective supports for promoting best practices with infants, 
toddlers, and preschoolers. The coaching model is compelling, and the case examples and

toddlers, and preschoolers. The coaching model is compelling, and the case examples and 
implementation resources are especially rich.” 
—Douglas R. Powell, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus,

—Douglas R. Powell, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus, 
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University
“A thoroughly researched and thoughtfully designed description of practice-based coaching that 
integrates evidence and recommended practice with the implementation strategies and procedures for 
early childhood educators to apply the model in their programs. The book capitalizes on the authors’ 
excellence in research and extensive experience in professional development and coaching to produce

of practice-based coaching. This book will be used as the ‘gold standard’ for implementing 
evidenced-based coaching in early childhood classrooms.” 
—Barbara A. Wasik, Ph.D., PNC Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Education,

Communication and Early Childhood Research and 
Practice Center, Florida State University
“An essential book on one of the most important education and policy issues of our time—supporting 
teacher quality through coaching. Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox, internationally renowned experts 
in coaching, artfully and clearly synthesize the empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness 
of practice-based coaching. This book will be used as the ‘gold standard’ for implementing

excellence in research and extensive experience in professional development and coaching to produce 
a highly readable guide with accompanying field-tested resources ready for use.”

—Barbara A. Wasik, Ph.D., PNC Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Education, 
College of Education and Human Development, Temple University
“The quintessential resource for new and experienced coaches alike. Readers will appreciate the authors’ 
detailing of the theoretical foundations and professional applications of practice-based coaching.” 
—Alexandra Stoerger, University of Miami,

a highly readable guide with accompanying field-tested resources ready for use.” 
—Juliann J. Woods, Ph.D., SLP-CCC, Professor Emeritus, 
School of Communication Science and Disorders, 
Communication and Early Childhood Research and

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“The authoritative, must-have resource for optimal implementation [of practice-based coaching]. 
The editors and contributors of this practical volume have provided a valuable guide, packed with tools

The editors and contributors of this practical volume have provided a valuable guide, packed with tools 
and tips, that I will recommend to every team involved with young children’s care and education.”

—Glen Dunlap, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno 
“Each chapter is rich with concrete examples that clearly illustrate how practice-based coaching works 
in real-life settings. This book is a real treasure for anyone who is engaged in supporting teachers in

in real-life settings. This book is a real treasure for anyone who is engaged in supporting teachers in 
the implementation of practices that promote children’s early learning and development.”
—Judith J. Carta, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and Professor, 
Institute for Life-Span Studies/Department of Special Education,

Institute for Life-Span Studies/Department of Special Education, 
University of Kansas
“This book provides a roadmap for anyone considering coaching and should be used by all teams 
in planning and implementing their professional development programs. Implementation is 
‘ready-made’ with the sample forms and tools, including agendas, logs, checklists, and schedules

‘ready-made’ with the sample forms and tools, including agendas, logs, checklists, and schedules 
providing helpful organizational aids for new and experienced coaches.”

—Patty Salcedo, M.A., Desired Results Access Project (California)
“A comprehensive text that walks readers through the research that informs practice-based coaching to

“A comprehensive text that walks readers through the research that informs practice-based coaching to 
the practical implications and how to do it with fidelity.” 
—Michaelene M. Ostrosky, Ph.D., Grayce Wicall Gauthier Professor of Education,

Department of Special Education, College of Education, University of Illinois
“A step-by-step guide, practical tips, and easy-to-use templates that coaches can use to 
implement practice-based coaching with fidelity. The concepts presented in this book are 
grounded in theory, science, and real-life practice. This book is a must for all professionals seeking

grounded in theory, science, and real-life practice. This book is a must for all professionals seeking 
to coach teachers or parents.”

University of Miami; PI, Step Up Assistive Technology Project, 
Mailman Center for Child Development University of Miami
“Practice-based coaching is the finishing process wherein practitioners can become expert 
purveyors of early intervention and early childhood special education services with the results

—Therese Snyder, M.A., Desired Results Access Project (California)
“A valuable tool for anyone whose role involves supporting early education providers in the 
implementation of teaching practices. This book is the definitive guide to PBC implementation and an 
essential tool for making measurable improvements in practitioner or caregivers’ implementation of

purveyors of early intervention and early childhood special education services with the results 
children and families desire.” 
—Charles R. Greenwood, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, 
Institute for Life Span Studies, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project,

University of Kansas
“This rich and robust package of PBC research, the coaching framework, and implementation

practices, and it fully supports early childhood practitioners to continue to enhance their knowledge, 
skills, and dispositions in a collaborative coaching partnership!”

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# Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching Supporting Effective Practices in Early Childhood

by

by
Patricia Snyder, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor and David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair 
University of Florida

Gainesville
Mary Louise Hemmeter, Ph.D.
Professor, Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

and
Lise Fox, Ph.D.
Professor, University of South Florida

Baltimore·London·Sydney

Tampa

Excerpted from The Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching: Supporting Effective Practices in Early Childhood by Patricia Snyder, Ph.D., Mary Louise Hemmeter, Ph.D., & Lise K. Fox, Ph.D. $ \textcircled{2} $ 2022 Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

---

## PAUL H BROKES PUBLISHING CO.

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USA
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Copyright © 2022 by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.
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Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.

Typeset by Absolute Service, Inc., Towson, Maryland.
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## Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

All examples in this book are composites. Any similarity to actual individuals or circumstances is coincidental, 
and no implications should be inferred.
Purchasers of Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching: Supporting Effective Practices in Early Childhood are granted 
permission to download, print, and photocopy appendices in the text for professional purposes. These forms 
may not be reproduced to generate revenue for any program or individual. Photocopies may only be made

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Snyder, Patricia, 1955 July 13- author. | Hemmeter, Mary Louise, 
 author. | Fox, Lise, author.  
Title: Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching: Supporting Effective 
Practices in Early Childhood/by Patricia Snyder, Mary 
 Louise Hemmeter and Lise Fox ; with invited contributors.  
Description: Baltimore : Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., [2022] | Includes 
 bibliographical references and index. 
Identifiers: LCCN 2021023523 (print) | LCCN 2021023524 (ebook) | ISBN 
 9781681253817 (paperback) | ISBN 9781681253824 (epub) | ISBN 
 9781681253831 (pdf)  
Subjects: LCSH: Early childhood teachers—Training of. | Early childhood 
 teachers—In-service training. | Mentoring in education. | 
 Employees—Coaching of. | BISAC: EDUCATION / Professional Development | 
 EDUCATION / Teacher Training & Certification 
Classification: LCC LB1775.6 .S68 2022  (print) | LCC LB1775.6  (ebook) | 
 DDC 372.21—dc23 
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021023523
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021023524

---

## Contents

About the Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About the Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
About the Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1 Overview of Practice-Based Coaching: 
Theoretical, Empirical, and Practice-Based Rationales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patricia Snyder, Mary Louise Hemmeter, and Lise Fox
Chapter 2 Introduction to the Practice-Based Coaching Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patricia Snyder, Mary Louise Hemmeter, Lise Fox, and Crystal Bishop
Chapter 3 Establishing and Maintaining a Collaborative Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kathleen Artman-Meeker, Kiersten A. Kinder, and Mary Louise Hemmeter
Chapter 4 Coaching Strategies and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Darbianne Shannon, Crystal Bishop, Patricia Snyder, and Tara McLaughlin
Chapter 5 Effective Practices and Strengths and Needs Assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Darbianne Shannon, Tara McLaughlin, and Patricia Snyder
Chapter 6 Shared Goal Setting and Action Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Patricia Snyder, Mary Louise Hemmeter, Lise Fox, and Crystal Bishop
Chapter 7 Focused Observation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jessica K. Hardy, Ragan H. McLeod, and Mary Louise Hemmeter
Chapter 8 Reflection and Feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anna Winneker, Denise Perez Binder, and Lise Fox

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## Contents

vi Contents
Chapter 9 Considerations for Implementing Practice-Based Coaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chelsea T. Morris, Meghan von der Embse, Jolenea B. Ferro, and Lise Fox
Chapter 10 Using Technology to Support Practice-Based 
Coaching Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Crystal Bishop, Ragan H. McLeod, Kathleen Artman-Meeker, and 
Mary Louise Hemmeter
Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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# About the Editors

Patricia Snyder, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor and David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair,

Patricia Snyder, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor and David Lawrence Jr. Endowed Chair, 
University of Florida, Gainesville
Dr. Patricia Snyder is the inaugural occupant of the University of Florida’s (UF) David Lawrence 
Jr. Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Studies. She is a UF Distinguished Professor of Special 
Education and Early Childhood Studies and an affiliate professor of pediatrics. She is the founding director of the UF Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. Dr. Snyder 
has worked for more than four decades in community-based and academic settings with an 
emphasis on advancing transdisciplinary approaches to practice, research, and policy in early 
childhood. She has been a direct service provider, an early learning program administrator, 
and a faculty member, researcher, and higher education administrator. She has been actively 
involved at local, state, and national levels in early childhood systems development and integration, including serving as a gubernatorial appointee to the Children’s Trust of Alachua County. 
Dr. Snyder served as the editor of the Journal of Early Intervention from 2002 to 2007. She has been a 
principal investigator/co-principal investigator for numerous studies and projects funded by the 
Institute of Education Sciences and the Office of Special Education Programs. She has authored 
more than 130 refereed journal articles, book chapters, monographs, and books focused on early 
intervention and early learning with a particular focus on young children with or at risk for disabilities, their families, and the personnel who support them. Dr. Snyder has received a number 
of awards for her teaching, service, and research activities. Among these awards are the Division for Early Childhood Mary McEvoy Service to the Field Award, Merle B. Karnes Service to 
the Division Award, and the DEC Award for Mentoring. Dr. Snyder received the Kauffman-
Hallahan-Pullen Distinguished Researcher Award from the Division for Research, Council for 
Exceptional Children. She and her colleagues have been conducting research on practice-based

## Mary Louise Hemmeter, Ph.D., Professor, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

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X

About the Editors

About the Editors

Lise Fox, Ph.D., Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa
Dr. Lise Fox is a professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies at the University of 
South Florida in Tampa, Florida, and the co-director of the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities: A University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Fox was one of the 
developers of the Pyramid Model for Promoting the Social Emotional Competence in Infants 
and Young Children and has authored 95 books, book chapters, and articles. She has developed 
and managed numerous technical assistance, research, model demonstration, and personnel 
preparation projects in the areas of early childhood special education, state capacity building, 
implementation of the Pyramid Model, preventing and addressing challenging behavior, and

---

# About the Contributors

## Kathleen Artman-Meeker, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Washington, Seattle

Kathleen Artman-Meeker, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Washington, Seattle
Dr. Artman-Meeker is an associate professor of early childhood special education at the 
University of Washington (UW) and the director of research at the UW Haring Center for 
Inclusive Education. She maintains an active research agenda and community partnerships 
focused on professional development for early educators, particularly around young children’s 
social-emotional development. Dr. Artman-Meeker’s research, teaching, and writing focus on

Crystal Bishop, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist, Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early

Childhood Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville
Dr. Bishop is an assistant research scientist at the University of Florida Anita Zucker Center 
for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. Dr. Bishop and her colleagues collaborate to study, 
develop, and provide evidence-based professional development that supports the use of prac-

## Jolenea Ferro, Ph.D., BCBA-Doctoral, Associate Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa

Jolenea Ferro, Ph.D., BCBA-Doctoral, Associate Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa
Dr. Ferro is associate professor in the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities: A University 
Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the University of South Florida. Her 
research primarily focuses on individualized interventions and preventing challenging behaviors, addressing all age groups and abilities. Her current focus is on young children. Dr. Ferro 
provides training and technical assistance to states, program teams, and coaches to support 
implementation of the Pyramid Model, young children’s social-emotional development, and the

## Jessica K. Hardy, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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About the Contributors

## xii About the Contributors

Kiersten A. Kinder, Ph.D., Research Associate, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Dr. Kinder is a research associate at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. She coordinates a variety of research studies focused on the Pyramid Model and practice-based coaching. 
Dr. Kinder has worked for more than 15 years in public and lab school settings in a variety of 
roles including associate director, coach, and teacher. Her professional interests include inclusive education, embedded instruction, building collaborative partnerships, and supporting

## Tara McLaughlin, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer, Massey University, New Zealand

Tara McLaughlin, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer, Massey University, New Zealand
Dr. McLaughlin is a senior lecturer in the Institute of Education at Massey University. Her 
research interests focus on professional learning and development to support effective teaching, curriculum implementation, assessment and evaluation in early childhood education, and 
early intervention. Dr. McLaughlin has worked with teachers, children, and families in inclusive learning settings in the United States and in New Zealand. She leads the Massey University

## Ragan H. McLeod, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Ragan H. McLeod, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Dr. McLeod has coached preservice and in-service teachers to implement effective practices in 
early childhood classrooms. She currently develops materials and provides training and technical assistance related to practice-based coaching for the Head Start National Center on Early 
Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning. Dr. McLeod is an assistant professor and 
coordinator of the early childhood special education program at the University of Alabama. 
Her research interests include language and literacy interventions for young children and

## Chelsea T. Morris, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Faculty Director, University of West Georgia,

Model Innovations, The University of South Florida, Tampa
Denise Perez Binder has been on the faculty at the University of South Florida for more than 
18 years. She has provided training, technical assistance, and coaching on Pyramid Model practices for several different technical assistance centers. Currently, she is a technical assistance 
specialist for the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations and the Early Childhood

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About the Contributors

## About the Contributors

xiii

About the Contributors
Darbianne Shannon, Ph.D., Assistant Research Scientist, Anita Zucker Center for Excellence

in Early Childhood Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville
Dr. Shannon is an assistant research scientist at the University of Florida in the Anita Zucker 
Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies. She has been working in the field of early 
childhood studies for more than 15 years, teaching in school- and center-based inclusive 
early childhood programs and providing professional development and coaching to teachers,

coaches, and administrators in public, private, and Head Start settings.
Meghan von der Embse, Ed.S., Learning and Development Facilitator, University of South

Meghan von der Embse, Ed.S., Learning and Development Facilitator, University of South 
Florida, Tampa
Meghan von der Embse is a learning and development facilitator with the Florida Center for 
Inclusive Communities at the University of South Florida and staff member at the National 
Center for Pyramid Model Innovations. She provides training, technical assistance, and ongoing 
coaching supports for early childhood programs to build capacity implementing and sustaining 
Pyramid Model supports. She has practiced as a K–12 school psychologist and behavior specialist, and she has expertise in providing training and technical assistance with multi-tiered

## Anna Winneker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa

Anna Winneker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa
Dr. Winneker is an assistant professor in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences 
at the University of South Florida (USF). She serves as project director of the Program-Wide 
Positive Behavior Support project at USF. Dr. Winneker has extensive experience working with 
children, families, and teachers to implement a multi-tiered approach to supporting the socialemotional development of young children. Her focus is on supporting educators to implement

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## Acknowledgments

# Acknowledgments

We thank our colleagues, current and former students, and the program leaders, training and 
technical assistance specialists, coaches, practitioners, and families who have supported the 
development, implementation, and evaluation of practice-based coaching (PBC). Our collaborative and sustained partnerships have informed and strengthened our insights about the 
essentials of PBC. We look forward to working with existing and future partners to continue to

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## Overview of Practice-Based Coaching

#### Theoretical, Empirical, and Practice-Based Rationales

Patricia Snyder, Mary Louise Hemmeter, and Lise Fox

**INTRODUCTION**

Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) is an empirically based coaching framework designed to support practitioners’ or caregivers’ implementation of evidence-based or recommended practices that lead to positive developmental and learning outcomes for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (Snyder et al., 2015). As shown in Figure 1.1, the PBC framework has three key components:

1) shared goals and action planning, 2) focused observation, and 3) reflection and feedback. These components occur in the context of a collaborative coaching partnership, which is focused explicitly on supporting implementation of evidence-based or recommended practices. Each component of PBC and the essential elements needed to implement it as intended, or with fidelity, are the focus of this book. In this chapter, we set the context for the chapters that follow by providing background information about PBC and the theoretical, empirical, and practice-based rationales that support it. The term evidence-based practices refers to effective practices that, when implemented as intended, have been demonstrated through empirical research to support children’s devel- opment and learning. Recommended practices refer to practices that are informed by the best available research evidence, the knowledge and wisdom gained through experiences applying practices in authentic contexts, and the values of an organization or field of practice. Examples of recommended practices are the Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (Division for Early Childhood, 2014). Throughout the book, the term effective practices will be used to encompass both types of practices. Chapter 5 provides information about how the term practice is defined within the PBC framework.
##### BACKGROUND FOR PRACTICE-BASED COACHING

PBC was initially developed, validated, and evaluated for efficacy as part of an Institute of Education Sciences (IES)–funded research project. The project was focused on evaluating the effects of professional development, which included what is now known as PBC, on preschool

Excerpted from The Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching: Supporting Effective Practices in Early Childhood by Patricia Snyder, Ph.D., Mary Louise Hemmeter, Ph.D., & Lise K. Fox, Ph.D. ©2022 Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

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Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox

#### ative Partners

### bor hip lla

**s** **Co**

**d** **Fo** **cu** **an se** **s ing** **d** **o** **al n** **O** **G** **an** **b** **d** **Pl se** **re** **ion** **rv** **ha ct** **a**

## Effective

#### S APractices oit

**n**

**Re** **fle ck** **cti** **on and Feedba**

**Figure 1.1.** Practice-Based Coaching framework.

teachers’ use of embedded instruction practices. This work began in 2007 and continues to the present time (e.g., Snyder, Hemmeter, et al., 2018). PBC was subsequently used in other IES-funded projects conducted by the editors and contributors to this text. In addition to embedded instruction, these projects have included the use of PBC along with workshops and other implementation aids to support practitioners’ use of social, emotional, and behavioral practices reflected in the Pyramid Model (e.g., Hemmeter et al., 2016; Hemmeter et al., 2021). PBC was the coaching framework used as part of the Head Start National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning (Head Start/ECLKC: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center, n.d.). PBC is recognized as a critical professional develop- ment approach for the implementation of the Pyramid Model (von der Embse et al., 2019). It is also being used to support practitioners’ and caregivers’ implementation of evidence-based practices in early intervention, early childhood special education, and early care and educa- tion contexts (e.g., Fox, 2017; National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations, 2020; Snyder, Woods, et al., 2018). Beyond projects in which contributors to this book have developed, validated, implemented, and evaluated PBC, many professional development providers, faculty in practitioner prepa- ration programs, researchers, training and technical assistance personnel, coaches, program leaders, and practitioners are using PBC. For example, PBC has been used in studies focused on the BEST in CLASS intervention. BEST in CLASS is a Tier 2 intervention designed to address the needs of children (preschool to second grade) who demonstrate persistent and intensive challenging behaviors in classroom settings, which place them at future risk for developing social-emotional learning difficulties (e.g., Conroy et al., 2019). In addition, the most recent Head Start Program Performance Standards require that programs implement a research-based coor- dinated coaching strategy for education staff (Training and Professional Development, 2016). PBC is recognized as a research-based coordinated coaching strategy.

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## Overview of PBC

Overview of PBC
Given the widespread use of PBC in early childhood settings, we determined that a need 
existed for a book that contains practical and evidence-informed information on the essentials 
of PBC. In this book, we provide detailed information about the PBC framework and each 
component of the framework, case story application examples, and resources to support fidelity 
of PBC implementation. After spending more than 16 years developing, refining, and evaluating 
PBC, we are committed to disseminating more widely this research-based coaching approach to 
support those who coach, those who are being coached, and those who oversee the implementa-

PBC, we are committed to disseminating more widely this research-based coaching approach to 
support those who coach, those who are being coached, and those who oversee the implementation of professional development, including coaching.
Throughout the book, when appropriate, we refer to those who are being coached as 
coachees and those who are coaching as coaches. Coachees are practitioners in early childhood programs such as early care and education programs; state-funded preschool programs; Early Head Start/Head Start programs; inclusive infant, toddler, and preschool programs; home-visiting programs; and early intervention programs. Coachees can also be 
caregivers (e.g., parent, grandparent, family care provider). Coaches are individuals with 
a designated role as a coach or caregiver coach. Coaches can be internal to the program or 
external to the program as professional development or training and technical assistance

a designated role as a coach or caregiver coach. Coaches can be internal to the program or 
external to the program as professional development or training and technical assistance 
providers.
Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching provides guidance on the use of PBC and the evaluation 
of how PBC is being implemented and whether it is being implemented as intended or with 
fidelity. A focus on implementation fidelity is particularly important for those adopting PBC. 
Promising findings related to practitioners’ and caregivers’ fidelity of implementation of effective practices following receipt of professional development that includes PBC, and associated 
positive child outcomes, are unlikely to be realized outside controlled research studies without 
attention to fidelity. This latter assertion is particularly important given that consensus has not 
been reached about how coaching should be defined and how components of coaching should 
be implemented across various early childhood sectors and contexts (Artman-Meeker et al.,

## 2015; O’Keefe, 2017).

Practice-Based Coaching and Other Coaching Frameworks
Several coaching definitions have been offered in early childhood and related literatures, and 
the number of coaching frameworks or models appears to be growing. This growth is likely 
the result of multiple reviews and meta-analyses that have highlighted the promise of coaching as a job-embedded professional development strategy in early childhood and Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K–12) contexts (e.g., Artman-Meeker et al., 2015; Kraft et al., 2018; Lloyd

variations exist, commonalities are evident. Comparing the key elements of PBC to the 
definitions and other frameworks shown in Table 1.1 helps identify the common or distinct 
elements of PBC.
Each definition or framework identifies coaching as a relationship, partnership, or collaboration. In PBC, we distinguish a collaborative partnership from a relationship. A relationship is a broader term used to describe connections, often emotional, between two or more 
people. In PBC, a collaborative partnership focuses on connections to achieve goals. In PBC, 
the partnership is formed so the coach can support the coachees’ practice-focused goals. All

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dispositions, and skills in coaching and 
in the practices that are the focus of 
fidelity during use in practice contexts 
tions with teachers to support  nance, and generalization of practice

| definitions and coaching frameworks |  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Presentation | Coaching definition NAEYC/NACCRRA (2012) | Coaching definition Cusumano &amp; Preston (2018) | Early childhood coaching Rush &amp; Shelden (2020) | Instructional coaching Knight (2007) | Practice-based coaching Snyder et al. (2015) |
| orhip | Relationship-based process | Collaborative effort | Collaborative coach-coachee relationship | Partnership through collaboration | Collaborative partnership |
| orhip | Expert with specialized and adult learning knowledge and skills | Content knowledge about practice or program is critical selection criteria | Expert based | Individuals who are full-time professional developers on-site in schools | Individual with specialized knowledge, dispositions, and skills in coaching and in the practices that are the focus of coaching |
| orhip | Build[coachee] capacity | Support and transfer skills gained during professional development to use with fidelity in practice context. Improve precision, fluency, and use across settings, recipients, and time while maintaining fidelity of practice implementation | Coachee competence and confidence to engage in self-reflection, self-correction, and generalization of new skills and strategies to other situations | Work with teachers to help them incorporate research-based instructional practices | Support practitioners or caregivers to implement effective practices with fidelity during use in practice contexts |
| focus | Specific professional dispositions, skills, or behaviors | Specific skills gained during professional development. Behaviors that support performance feedback, behavior change, and use of skills in job-embedded settings | Acknowledge and improve existing knowledge and practices, develop new skills, and promote continuous self-assessment and learning on the part of the coachee | Engage in partnership communications with teachers to support them to identify goals so coach can help teachers create a plan for realizing their professional goals | Support acquisition, fluency, maintenance, and generalization of practice implementation |
| focus | Goal setting | Prompting | Joint planning | Enroll | Strengths and needs assessment |
| focus | Goal setting | Performance feedback | Observation | Identify | Shared goals and action planning |
| focus | Goal setting | Creating an enabling and collaborative context | Action/Practice | Explain | Focused observation |
| Data use | Goal setting | Reflection | Model | Reflection and feedback |  |
| Application of content knowledge | Goal setting | Feedback | Observe | Collaborative partnerships |  |
| method | Face to face, distance (technology based), hybrid | Not explicitly specified | Not explicitly specified although descriptions and examples are face to face | Face to face, with model lessons delivered by instructional coaches | Face to face, distance (technology based), hybrid |
| method | One time or series of sessions, dependent on achievement of goal | Never ends, but fades over time with a continuum of support tied to data related to use of skills (i.e., fidelity data) | Short term or long term depending on the complexity of the innovation learned and its application to the work setting and the number of different formal learning opportunities that occur | Series of sessions depending on the teacher&#x27;s stage of change | Coaching cycles: Number of cycles depends on fidelity of practice implementation and number of practices |
| model teaching | - | Implementation science and implementation research (Fixsen &amp; Blase, 2008; Fixsen et al., 2005) | Contextual model (Stober &amp; Grant, 2006a, 2006b) | Partnership approach (Knight, 1999) | Science of human behavior/Organizational behavior management(Crow &amp; Snyder, 1998)Behavioral coaching(Seniuk et al., 2013) |

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Overview of PBC

Overview of PBC
action planning, focused observation, and reflection and feedback—occur in the context of a

action planning, focused observation, and reflection and feedback—occur in the context of a 
collaborative partnership.
Across definitions and frameworks, coaches are identified as individuals with expertise in 
professional development, coaching, and adult learning principles. In PBC, we include these areas 
of expertise as well as explicitly acknowledging that coaches need specialized knowledge and 
skills in the practices that will be the focus of coaching (Snyder et al., 2015). The purposes or 
desired outcomes of coaching are to build coachees’ capacity, to strengthen their practice-focused 
competence and confidence, and to support them to implement effective practices with fidelity. In

action planning, focused observation, and reflection and feedback—occur in the context of a 
Across definitions and frameworks, coaches are identified as individuals with expertise in 
professional development, coaching, and adult learning principles. In PBC, we include these areas 
of expertise as well as explicitly acknowledging that coaches need specialized knowledge and 
skills in the practices that will be the focus of coaching (Snyder et al., 2015). The purposes or 
desired outcomes of coaching are to build coachees’ capacity, to strengthen their practice-focused 
competence and confidence, and to support them to implement effective practices with fidelity. In

competence and confidence, and to support them to implement effective practices with fidelity. In 
PBC, we specifically identify fidelity of practice implementation as the desired coaching outcome.
A focus on enhancing knowledge, skills, or practices is evident across the definitions and 
frameworks. In PBC, the focus is on coachees’ acquisition, fluency, maintenance, and generalization of practices. We define a practice as an observable or measurable action or behavior of a 
coachee. PBC guides practice implementation and supports contextual adaptation while ensur-

coachee. PBC guides practice implementation and supports contextual adaptation while ensuring practice integrity (Cusumano & Preston, 2018).
Components of coaching differ somewhat across the definitions and frameworks. The 
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)/National Association of 
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) definition only specifies a goal-setting 
component. Cusumano and Preston (2018) identify seven components in their coaching profile. 
In PBC, instructional coaching, and early childhood coaching, common components include 
setting goals, action planning, observation, and reflection. Feedback is included as a component 
in early childhood coaching, Cusumano and Preston’s coaching profile, and PBC. PBC distinguishes supportive and constructive feedback. PBC includes practice-focused strengths and

guishes supportive and constructive feedback. PBC includes practice-focused strengths and 
needs assessment as part of goal setting and action planning, which is a distinct component.
As shown in Table 1.1, face-to-face interactions between the coach and coachee are 
recognized as a delivery method. In addition, NAEYC/NACCRRA and PBC include distance- or 
technology-based or hybrid delivery methods (e.g., live observations, distance reflection and 
feedback meetings). The duration of coaching is noted to range from one session to a series of 
sessions, depending on the number of practices and the coachees’ stage of change or fidelity of

sessions, depending on the number of practices and the coachees’ stage of change or fidelity of 
practice implementation.
Consensus and converging evidence suggest that coaching should include planning, 
observation, action, reflection, feedback, and alliance building or collaborative partnerships 
(Kraft et al., 2018; Kunemund et al., 2021; Snyder et al., 2015). PBC includes each of these components as part: goal setting and action planning, focused observation, and reflection and feedback. In PBC, these components occur in the context of a collaborative partnership and are

PBC Theoretical Influences

## tual roots in a partnership approach (Knight, 1999, 2007). Cusumano and Preston’s Practice

PBC Theoretical Influences
• Principles from the science of human behavior
• Organizational behavior management principles

## guided by practice-focused strengths and needs assessments.

Theoretical Foundations of Practice-Based Coaching
The coaching definitions and frameworks shown in Table 1.1 have been influenced by other 
models or frameworks. For example, Rush and Shelden (2020) used the contextual model for 
coaching described by Stober and Grant (2006a) to inform the coaching processes used in their 
early childhood coaching framework. Knight’s instructional coaching model has its concep-

• Organizational behavior management principles 
and practices
• Implementation science and implementation

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Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox

Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox
human behavior and OBM (Seniuk et al., 2013) and how coaching is described as a competency driver in active implementation science frameworks (Cusumano & Preston, 2018; Fixsen

tency driver in active implementation science frameworks (Cusumano & Preston, 2018; Fixsen 
& Blase, 2008).
Science of Human Behavior, Organizational Behavior Management, and Behavioral Coaching 
 Influences These PBC theoretical influences focus on applying principles from the science 
of human behavior to human performance. In PBC, performance is related to both fidelity of 
coaching implementation and fidelity of practice implementation in job-embedded early childhood contexts (“organizations”), such as classrooms or homes. Applying OBM principles to 
PBC, Snyder et al. (2012) described four major functions of coaching: provide support, analyze

PBC, Snyder et al. (2012) described four major functions of coaching: provide support, analyze 
application, offer feedback, and adapt results.
Using principles from the science of human behavior, Seniuk et al. (2013) identified six 
characteristics of effective behavioral coaching initially developed by Martin and Hrycaiko 
(1983). These characteristics were based on dimensions from the science of human behavior 
initially described by Baer et al. (1968). Table 1.2 shows these characteristics and how they have 
been applied in PBC for both coaches and coachees. Many structural and process features of

initially described by Baer et al. (1968). Table 1.2 shows these characteristics and how they have 
been applied in PBC for both coaches and coachees. Many structural and process features of 
PBC are based on these six characteristics.
PBC has an explicit focus on coachees’ actions or behaviors and emphasizes repeated, jobembedded learning opportunities to prompt, practice, reflect on, and receive feedback about 
implementation, which is supported by OBM principles (Crow & Snyder, 1998). PBC acknowledges that adult learners are both autonomous and collaborative. A collaborative partnership 
provides opportunities for those being coached to implement practices independently and with 
the support of a coach. When coachees are implementing newly learned actions or behaviors, 
having a collaborative partnership with a coach who provides effective prompts and explicit 
feedback about practice implementation helps shape successive approximations toward fidelity 
of practice implementation. In addition to helping support fidelity of practice implementation, 
the provision of implementation supports and resources has been identified by coachees as an 
important motivator for practice implementation and for building and sustaining a collaborative 
coaching partnership (Shannon et al., 2015; Shannon, Snyder, et al., 2021). Strengths and needs 
assessments are important for gathering data about learners’ current practices and determining

coaching partnership (Shannon et al., 2015; Shannon, Snyder, et al., 2021). Strengths and needs 
assessments are important for gathering data about learners’ current practices and determining 
priorities and motivations for enhancement, refinement, or change (Snyder & Wolfe, 2008).
Consistent with principles from OBM and behavioral coaching, setting performance-based 
practice goals supports data-informed decision making and accountability. Goals based on individual priorities, strengths, and needs are important when coaching for behavior change. Action 
plans are accountability plans tailored to the coachees’ priorities and their stage and pace of 
practice learning. Chapter 6 details how to write SMA2R2T (specific, measurable, action-oriented/
achievable, realistic/relevant, and time sensitive) goals and action plans. Focused observation 
likely helps motivate the practitioner to use a practice or practices (Kretlow & Bartholomew, 
2010). Chapter 7 describes how to conduct observations focused on fidelity of practice implementation. With respect to reflection, asking open-ended questions and providing reflective 
comments are strategies that can eventually lead to self-reflection, autonomy, and self-efficacy 
(Frates et al., 2011). The provision of feedback based on implementation (also known as performance-based feedback) has been demonstrated to support fidelity of implementation of effective 
practices (Barton et al., 2011; Fallon et al., 2015). Practitioners have also reported that they find 
performance feedback to be useful and acceptable (Shannon et al., 2015; Shannon, Snyder, et al.,

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## Overview of PBC

Overview of PBC

| Principle | Applied in PBC for coaches | Applied in PBC for coachees |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Measurement of performance is specific, detailed, and frequent. | Measurement of PBC implementation(e.g., dose, coaching strategies used, coaching component fidelity indicators) by using a coaching log for every coaching session | Measurement of practice implementation using content-aligned practice fidelity assessments(e.g., Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool,Hemmeter et al.,2014;Embedded Instruction Observation System,Snyder et al.,2009,at regular intervals) |
| Clear distinction between the development and maintenance of behavior and positive procedures are emphasized for both. | Initial professional development and measures of knowledge and skill for coaches on coaching behaviors and practices that are the focus of coaching with ongoing supportive and constructive feedback providedOngoing measures of coaching and practice fidelity with supportive and constructive feedback provided | Initial professional development and coaching for acquisition of knowledge and skills related to practice implementation focus with supportive and constructive feedback providedOngoing coaching and other forms of professional development to build practice fluency, generalization,and maintenance with supportive and constructive feedback provided |
| Improvement is measured with respect to own performance. | Fidelity of coaching is measured and feedback is provided about each coach&#x27;s performance using criterion-based thresholds rather than relative to other coaches&#x27; performanceSelf-monitoring and self-evaluation of coaching in relation to coaching fidelity feedback received from othersProvision of supportive and constructive feedback | Fidelity of practice implementation is measured and feedback is provided about each coachee&#x27;s performance using criterion-based thresholds rather than relative to other coachee&#x27;s performanceSelf-monitoring and self-evaluation of action plan goals and steps with reciprocal verbal reflections between coach and coacheeProvision of supportive and constructive feedback |
| Emphasis is on coaching as a science rather than as an art. | Coaches use data-based approaches to inform coaching practices implementation and to examine coaching fidelity and coaches and child or family outcomes. | Coachee,with support from coach,uses data-based approaches to inform practice implementationand to examine intervention fidelity and child or family outcomes. |
| Science of human behavior tactics are used to nudge and boost behavior. | Coach self-assesses and discusses with lead coach strengths and needs relative to PBC and practice implementationCoach uses strategies from science of human behavior to support change in coachee&#x27;s behavior in desired directions(e.g.,supportive feedback,constructive feedback,consideration of motivators and prompts to set occasion for behavior).Lead coach uses strategies to support change in coach&#x27;s behavior in desired directions(e.g.,supportive feedback,constructive feedback,consideration of motivators and prompts to set occasion for behavior).Coach uses data or video to demonstrate change in coaching behavior. | Coachee self-assesses and discusses with coach strengths and needs relative to practice implementationCoachee identifies preferred coaching strategies and processes throughout coaching with support from coach. |
| Social validity | Social validity data about PBC structural and process features and practices that are the focus of PBC are gathered from coaches to examine feasibility,acceptability,utility,response-costs,and satisfaction. | Social validity data about PBC structural and process features and practices that are the focus of PBC are gathered from coaches to examine feasibility,acceptability,utility,response-costs,and satisfaction. |

contexts (Kelly & Perkins, 2014). Implementation research focuses on the scientific study of 
methods to promote the systematic uptake of evidence-based practices into routine practice 
(Eccles et al., 2009). In their literature synthesis focused on implementation research, Fixsen and 
colleagues (2005) identified coaching as a core component or driver of successful implementation of evidence-based practices and programs. Along with staff selection and training (i.e., 
professional development), coaching is depicted in the active implementation science drivers

focus of PBC are gathered from coaches of PBC are gathered from coachees to examine 
to examine feasibility, acceptability, utility, feasibility, acceptability, utility, response-costs, 
response-costs, and satisfaction. and satisfaction.

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Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox

Adaptive Technical

## and implementation.

PBC is theoretically and operationally aligned with coaching as depicted in the Fixsen and 
Blase framework and with the Practice Profile for Coaching (Cusumano & Preston, 2018), which 
was developed as part of the State Implementation and Scale-Up of Evidence-Based Practices 
Center. Coaching is defined in the Practice Profile as a process that supports and transfers skills 
acquired during professional development to use in practice contexts. Coaching shapes newly 
learned skills with a focus on improving precision, fluency, and use of practices across settings, recipients, and time, while maintaining fidelity of practice implementation. According to 
Cusumano and Preston, coaching should be informed by data that documents fidelity of coaching implementation, fidelity of practice implementation, the intensity of coaching support, and 
outcomes. Essential components of coaching, which are also reflected in PBC, are prompting 
for practice implementation and for reflection and feedback, the provision of performance feedback, creating an enabling and collaborative context, data use, application of content knowledge, continuum of supports for coaches and coachees, and scaffolding for practice learning

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Overview of PBC

## IMPLEMENTATION COACHEE KNOWLEDGE, CHILD/FAMILY SUPPORTS DISPOSITIONS, & SKILLS OUTCOMES

|Knowledge, Dispositions,|Coachee builds content|
|---|---|
|and Skill-Building|knowledge and|
|Evidence-Informed|dispositions about|
|Professional Development about Effective Practices|effective practices.|

Coachee applies knowledge and dispositions when implementing effective practices.

Coachee implements Children or families Practice-Based effective practices with achieve desired Coaching fidelity in practice context. outcomes.

Other Practice Implementation Supports

**Figure 1.3.** Abbreviated theory of change for practice-based coaching.

desired child developmental and learning or family outcomes. This theory of change has been used to guide research on PBC and its use in training and technical assistance contexts (e.g., Conroy et al., 2015; Hemmeter et al., 2016; Hemmeter et al., 2020; Snyder, Hemmeter et al., 2018; Sutherland et al., 2018).

### Empirical Foundation for Structural, Content, and Process Features of Practice-Based Coaching

Literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses have identified key structural, con- tent, and process features of coaching that support fidelity of practice or intervention imple- mentation (Artman-Meeker et al., 2015; Kraft et al., 2018; Kretlow & Bartholomew, 2010; Lloyd & Modlin, 2012; Powell & Diamond, 2013; Snyder et al. 2012). These features align with those iden- tified for professional development when the desired outcome is fidelity of coachees’ practice implementation in job-embedded contexts and associated positive outcomes for children or their families (e.g., Zaslow et al., 2010). A description of these structural, content, and process features and their relation to PBC follows. Coaching should be coherent and sustained versus episodic. It should be job-embedded, and it should focus on a set of high-leverage (Ball & Forzani, 2011) effective practices relevant for the coachees’ practice context. Multiple exemplars of the practices should be available through both modeling and video modeling. Contextual fit, defined as the alignment between the practices that are the focus of coaching and their relevance for the coachees’ practice context,

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Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox

10 Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox
particularly alignment with curricula or practices already being used, should be explicitly 
emphasized. Embedded opportunities for practice implementation with reflection and feedback 
are essential. Explicit linkages between practice implementation and child learning outcomes 
should be emphasized. Strategies used by coaches should be defined, and the use of these strategies during coaching should be documented. Coaches should receive professional development

## to ensure fidelity of coaching and practice implementation (Snyder et al., 2015).

Key Features of PBC

Key Features of PBC
• Coherent and sustained

• Coherent and sustained
• Job-embedded

• Job-embedded
• Focused on high-leverage and effective practices
• Multiple examples of the practices that are the 
content focus of PBC through modeling and video

content focus of PBC through modeling and video 
modeling
• Emphasis on contextual fit between the practices 
that are the focus of PBC and the coachees’

that are the focus of PBC and the coachees’ 
practice context
• Embedded opportunities for practice

• Reflection and feedback about practice 
implementation

implementation
• Use of effective coaching strategies
• Collaborative partnerships between coach and

• Collaborative partnerships between coach and 
coachee
• Documentation of coaching dose, dose formats,

• Documentation of coaching dose, dose formats, 
and coaching strategies
• Coaches receive professional development to

should be emphasized. Strategies used by coaches should be defined, and the use of these strategies during coaching should be documented. Coaches should receive professional development 
to ensure fidelity of coaching and practice implementation (Snyder et al., 2015).
In their meta-analysis of coaching, Kraft 
et al. (2018) reported findings from 60 studies, 
31 of which were conducted in early childhood contexts. These authors identified essential features of coaching, which were used to 
Focused on high-leverage and effective practices frame their meta-analysis: (a) individualized, 
coaching sessions are one-on-one; (b) time 
intensive, coaches and coachees interact at 
content focus of PBC through modeling and video 
least every few weeks; (c) sustained, coachees 
receive coaching over a semester or year(s); 
Emphasis on contextual fit between the practices 
(d)  context specific, coaching occurs in jobembedded contexts; and (e) focused, coaches 
work with coachees to engage in implementation of specific evidence-based practices.

tation of specific evidence-based practices. 
These features align with those of PBC.
Kraft et al. (2018) found that coaching 
in 91% of the 60 studies was combined with 
other forms of professional development, 
including workshops, professional learning 
communities, or training events designed 
to support teachers’ knowledge, dispositions, and skill development. Specific to 
early childhood, Snyder et al. (2012) analyzed 
256 studies as part of a descriptive systemensure fidelity of PBC and practice implementation atic review focused on early childhood professional development. These authors found

studies conducted to date with PBC provide teachers with these types of materials or practice 
implementation aides (see Table 1.3).
Fourteen of the studies supplemented coaching with a video library that teachers could

ensure fidelity of PBC and practice implementation atic review focused on early childhood professional development. These authors found 
coaching with performance feedback was 
provided in follow-up to other forms of professional development in 51.6% of the reviewed 
studies. Schachter (2015) conducted an analytic study of professional development research in 
early childhood education and found that 54.8% (40 of 73) of the studies reviewed included

early childhood education and found that 54.8% (40 of 73) of the studies reviewed included 
coaching as well as other forms of professional development.
Exploratory analyses from the Kraft et al. (2018) meta-analysis examined select features of 
coaching structures and processes. Studies that paired coaching with other forms of professional development (e.g., group training) had larger effects on teacher instructional practices. 
The authors suggested coachees might benefit from professional development designed to build 
their knowledge and application skills before they engage in coaching. As shown in Table 1.3, in 
the studies conducted to date that have used PBC, other forms of professional development, in

Fourteen of the studies supplemented coaching with a video library that teachers could 
access to observe other teachers implementing the practices that were the focus of coaching.

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defiant behavior;

| Group experimental design studies(N=10) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Study | N practitioners | N children | Practice context | Practice focus | Experimental conditions | PD dose | PBC delivery format | PBC dose | Coach training and protocol | PBC coach fidelity | Practitioner outcomes | Child outcomes |
| Artman-Meeker et al.(2014) | 33 teachers(16 exp,17 con) | N/A | Head Start classrooms in one state | Pyramid Model | Workshop,PBC,practice guides,materialsWorkshop only | 1 work-shop(6hr) | Distance PBC through e-mail using video observations collected in classroom(individual) | Planned:8 sessions over 12 wkDelivered:M=6 sessions(range1-8) | External coach(first author)trained by senior authors | M=99%(range=77.8%~100%) | Workshop training+ distance coaching associated with small improvements in emotional,organizational,and instructional classroom interactions based on differential participation in distance PBC | NR |
| Conroy et al.(2015) | 53 teachers(26 exp,27 con) | 130 children at risk for EBD | Head Start and state-funded preschool classrooms in 2 states | 6 BIC practices(rules,BSP,OTR,PC,IF,CF) | Workshop,teacher manual,PBCBAU | 1 work-shop(6hr) | On-site PBC(Individual) | 14 weeks;1×per week;90-min focused observation,30-min debrief | 8 external coaches trained by senior authors and followed written protocol | NR | Teachers in BIC condition increased use of rules,BSP,PC,IF,and CF relative to teachers in BAU | Higher levels of child engagement;less disruptive,aggressive,or defiant behavior;and more positive social interactions than children with teachers in BAU |
| Conroy et al.(2018) | 185 teachers(92 exp,93 con) | 462 children at risk for EBD | Early childhood classrooms across 5 school districts and 3 Head Start agencies | 6 BIC practices(rules,BSP,OTR,PC,IF,CF) | Workshop,resource manual,PBCBAU | 1 work-shop(6hr) | On-site PBC(Individual) | 14 weeks;1×per week;90-min focused observation,30-min debrief | NR | NR | Adherence differences on BIC practices across BIC and BAU teachers | Reduced number of children in the clinical or borderline range for social skills and problem behaviors in BIC vs. BAU |
| Conroy et al.(2019) | 186 teachers(92 exp,94 con) | NA | Early childhood classrooms across 5 school districts and 3 Head Start agencies | 6 BIC practices(rules,BSP,OTR,PC,IF,CF) | Workshop,resource manual,PBCBAU | 1 work-shop(6hr) | On-site PBC(Individual) | 14 weeks;1×per week;90-min focused observation,30-min debrief | 2-d PBC and BIC training,6-step checkout process and followed written protocol | M=85%(range81.24%~100%) | Teachers in BIC increased use of all BIC practices relative to teachers in BAU | NR |

(continued)

in one state
Head Start 
dren at and staterisk for funded 
preschool 
classrooms 
in 2 states
Early child
dren at hood 
risk for classrooms 
across 5 
school dis
tricts and 3 
Head Start 
agencies
Early child
hood 
classrooms 
across 5 
school dis
tricts and 3 
Head Start 
agencies

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**Table 1.3. (continued)**

|||||Group experimental design studies (|N = 10)|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|N|N Practice|Practice|Experimental|PBC delivery||Coach training PBC coach|Practitioner|
|Study practitioners children|context|focus|conditions|PD dose format|PBC dose|and protocol|fidelity outcomes Child outcomes|

Half-day pre-K 10 literacy Literacy 3D Six 2-hr On-site 3 coaching NR NR work-(Individual) cycles for shops school (12 hr) year, 19–20 hr total

Three On-site *M = 13.4* 3 coaches af-*M = 87.4%* (7–17) filiated with (range

6.5-hr (Individual)
sessions research 45%– work- per teacher project, 100%) shops over 6 mo trained (19.5 hr) *M*o = 105-min by study observa-authors and tion (range followed 30–305 written PBC min) coaching *M*d = 44-min protocol debrief (range 10–135)

Hemmeter 92 teachers 995 chil-Public Pyramid Pyramid Three On-site *M = 16.5* 11 coaches af-*M = 97.7%* et al. (45 exp, dren, preschool Model Model

6.5-hr (Individual)
(16–17) filiated with (range (2021) 47 con) classrooms practices work- work- coaching research 40%– focal shops, shops sessions project, 100%) children PBC, (19.5 hr) per trained at risk guides teacher by study for SE and mate- over 6 mo authors and and be-rials *M*o = 91.3-followed min ob-written PBC havior BAU PD servation coaching delays (SD = 25.1) protocol *M*d = 33.3 debrief (SD = 12.7)

29/09/2021 2:04 AM

McCollum 13 teachers NR (4-yr-State-funded Emergent Workshops, Biweekly, 4 research-NR Differences in NR et al. (7 exp, 6 old chil-preschool literacy PBC, 15 total ers, 3 with implementa- (2011) con) dren) programs prac-guides sessions doctorates tion of literacy tices (18 and mate- (5 per in EC, 2 strategies for strategies rials each of 3 worked as Cluster B and C organized Waitlist literacy emergent practices under control strategy literacy Differences A, B, C clusters) coaches in on ELLCO clusters) a previous language project, and literacy trained on environment observation scores, includ- checklists ing LEC, LLC, and LARS

Greenwood 20 teachers 297 chil- et al. (10 exp, dren programs, practices workshop, (2017) 10 con) reverse PBC inclusion Wait list control (received PD Year 2)

Hemmeter 40 teachers 494 chil-Public Pyramid Pyramid et al. (20 exp, dren, preschool Model Model (2016) 18 con) classrooms practices work- focal shops, children PBC, at risk guides for SE and and be-materials havior BAU PD delays

Orienta-On-site (Indi- tion vidual) group meeting (2 d, 10 hr), 3 ad- ditional group meet-ings (1.5 hr each), bi- weekly (14.5 hr total) Four On-site (Indi- ~3.5-hr vidual) work-Web-based shops (14.9 hr (Individual) total) for on- site and self- coach- ing condi- tions

16 weekly 4 external *M = 95%* coaching coaches (range ses-in on-site 78%– condition 100%) teacher trained *M = 99%* over 4–5 by senior (range mo authors and 97%– *M*o = 73.9-min followed 100%) observa-written PBC tion (*SD =* protocol

19.5 min) Project
*M*d = staff who

39.3-min delivered debrief self-coach- (SD = 12.1 ing prompts min) trained
16 weekly by senior e-mail authors and reminders followed to self-written PBC coach protocol

Literacy practice No significant implementa-effects on child tion increased literacy out- Quality of literacy comes, but cor- implementa-relation ( *r = .79)* tion increased between teacher literacy focus and child literacy engagement Differences in Children (all Pyramid Model children and teachers’ prac-focal children) in tice implemen-Pyramid Model tation relative classrooms to BAU PD had higher as measured social skills and by Teaching less problem Pyramid Ob-behavior than servation Tool children in BAU (TPOT) classrooms Focal children in Pyramid Model classrooms had more social interactions than children in BAU classrooms Differences in Nonfocal and Pyramid Model focal children teachers’ prac-had higher tice implemen-social skills and tation relative less problem to BAU PD as behavior measured by Focal children TPOT had higher social skills and less problem behavior Focal children had more social interactions

Snyder, 36 teachers 106 Public school Embedded Workshops, Hem -(12 exp1, children preschool instruc-on-site meter, 12 exp2, with dis-classrooms tion for coaching, et al. 12 con) abilities in 3 states early practice (2018) learning guides, materials, web site Workshops, self- coaching, practice guides, materials, web site BAU PD

Higher quality Children whose embedded in-teachers in struction learn-on-site coaching ing targets for acquired more on-site and skills and behav- self-coaching iors specified relative to BAU in embedded as measured instruction learn- by Learning ing targets than Targets Rating children whose Scale (LTRS; teachers in self- Snyder et al., coaching or BAU

2009). Children whose
More accurate teachers in implementa-on-site and self- tion of embed-coaching showed ded instruction noteworthy learning trials improvements for on-site on standard- relative to ized assess- self-coaching ments of early and BAU as literacy, receptive measured by language, pre- the Embedded academic and Instruction social skills com- Observation pared to children System (EIOS; whose teachers Snyder et al., in BAU

2009)
self-coaching sions per

$$
M_{\circ}=105{\sf{m i n}}
$$

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**Table 1.3. (continued)**

Group experimental design studies ( *N = 10)*

*N N* Practice Practice Experimental PBC delivery Coach training PBC coach Study practitioners children context focus conditions PD dose format PBC dose and protocol fidelity Half-day pre-K 10 literacy Literacy 3D Six 2-hr Greenwood 20 teachers 297 chil- On-site 3 coaching NR NR et al. (10 exp, dren programs, practices workshop, work-(Individual) cycles for (2017) 10 con) reverse PBC shops school inclusion Wait list (12 hr) year, control 19–20 hr (received total PD Year 2)

Hemmeter 40 teachers 494 chil-Public Pyramid Pyramid Three On-site *M = 13.4* 3 coaches af-*M = 87.4%* (7–17) filiated with (range et al. (20 exp, dren, preschool Model Model 6.5-hr (Individual) sessions research 45%– (2016) 18 con) 104 classrooms practices work-work- per teacher project, 100%) focal shops, shops over 6 mo trained children PBC, (19.5 hr) *M*o = 105-min by study at risk guides observa-authors and for SE and tion (range followed and be- materials 30–305 written PBC havior BAU PD min) coaching delays *M*d = 44-min protocol debrief (range 10–135)

Pyramid Pyramid Three On-site *M = 16.5* 11 coaches af-*M = 97.7%* Model Model 6.5-hr (Individual) (16–17) filiated with (range practices work-work- coaching research 40%– shops, shops sessions project, 100%) PBC, (19.5 hr) per trained guides teacher by study and mate- over 6 mo authors and rials *M*o = 91.3-followed min ob-written PBC BAU PD servation coaching (SD = 25.1) protocol *M*d = 33.3 debrief (SD = 12.7)

Snyder_CH01.indd 13

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**Table 1.3. (continued)**

Biweekly, 4 research-NR Differences in NR McCollum 13 teachers NR (4-yr-State-funded 15 total ers, 3 with implementa- et al. (7 exp, 6 old chil-preschool (2011) con) dren) programs sessions doctorates tion of literacy (5 per in EC, 2 strategies for each of 3 worked as Cluster B and C literacy emergent practices strategy literacy Differences clusters) coaches in on ELLCO a previous language project, and literacy trained on environment observation scores, includ- checklists ing LEC, LLC, and LARS

Hemmeter 92 teachers 995 chil-Public et al. (45 exp, dren, preschool (2021) 47 con) 250 classrooms focal children at risk for SE and be- havior delays

Emergent Workshops, Orienta-On-site (Indi- literacy PBC, tion vidual) prac-guides group tices (18 and mate-meeting strategies rials (2 d, organized Waitlist 10 hr), under control 3 ad- A, B, C ditional clusters) group meet-ings (1.5 hr each), bi- weekly (14.5 hr total) Workshops, Four On-site (Indi- instruc-on-site ~3.5-hr vidual) tion for coaching, work-Web-based early practice shops learning guides, (14.9 hr (Individual) materials, total) web site for on- Workshops, site and self-self- coaching, coach- practice ing guides, condi- materials, tions web site BAU PD

19.5 min) Project
*M*d = staff who

Practitioner outcomes Child outcomes Literacy practice No significant implementa-effects on child tion increased literacy out- Quality of literacy comes, but cor- implementa-relation ( *r = .79)* tion increased between teacher literacy focus and child literacy engagement Differences in Children (all Pyramid Model children and teachers’ prac-focal children) in tice implemen-Pyramid Model tation relative classrooms to BAU PD had higher as measured social skills and by Teaching less problem Pyramid Ob-behavior than servation Tool children in BAU (TPOT) classrooms Focal children in Pyramid Model classrooms had more social interactions than children in BAU classrooms Differences in Nonfocal and Pyramid Model focal children teachers’ prac-had higher tice implemen-social skills and tation relative less problem to BAU PD as behavior measured by Focal children TPOT had higher social skills and less problem behavior Focal children had more social interactions

Snyder, 36 teachers 106 Hem -(12 exp1, children preschool meter, 12 exp2, with dis-classrooms et al. 12 con) abilities in 3 states (2018)

29/09/2021 2:04 AM

2009)
*(continued)*

Mary Louise Hemmeter, Ph.D., & Lise K. Fox, Ph.D. ©2022 Brookes Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

Public school Embedded

self-coaching sions per

Excerpted from The Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching: Supporting Effective Practices in Early Childhood by Patricia Snyder, Ph.D.,

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Table 1.3. (continued)

| Group experimental design studies(N=10) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Study | N practitioners | N children | Practice context | Practice focus | Experimental conditions | PD dose | PBC delivery format | PBC dose | Coach training and protocol | PBC coach fidelity | Practitioner outcomes | Child outcomes |
| Snyder, Hemeter, Algina et al.(2021) | 111 teachers(36 exp1,38 exp2,37 con) | 327 children with disabilities | Public school preschool classrooms in 2 states | Embedded instruction for early learning | Workshops, on-site coaching,practice guides,materials,web siteWorkshops,self-coaching,practice guides,materials,web siteBAU PD | Four 4-hr workshops(16 hr total)for on-site and self-coachingconditions | On-site (Individual)Web-based self-coaching(Individual) | 16 weekly coaching sessions per teacher over4-5moMn=60.6-minobservation(SD=7.4min)Mn=46.7-mindebrief(SD=13.9min)16 weeklye-mail reminders to self-coach | 11 external coachesin on-site condition trainedby senior authors and followed written PBC protocolProject staff who delivered self-coachingprompts trained by senior authors and followed written protocol | M=90.6%(range71%-100%)M=99.4%(96.2%-100%) | Higher quality embedded instruction learning targets for on-site coaching teachers relative to teachers in self-coachingor BAU conditions as measured by the LTRSMore and more accurate implementation of embedded instruction learning trials for on-site coaching teachers relative to teachers in self-coachingor BAU conditions as measured by | Children whose teachers in on-site coaching acquired more skills and behaviors specified in embedded instruction learning targets than children whose teachers in self-coaching or BAUChildren whose teachers received on-site coaching showed noteworthy improvements on a preacademic composite measure constructed of standardized early literacy,language,and school readiness assessments compared to children whose |

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| Single-Case Experimental Design Studies(N=6) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Study | N practitioners | N children | Practice context | Practice focus | Design | PD | PBC delivery format | PBC dose | Coach training and protocol | Coach fidelity | Practitioner outcomes | Child(family)outcomes |
| Artman-Meeker&amp;Hemeter(2012) | 4(2 teaching teams) | 2 | University-based inclusive child care | Transition preparations,rule reminders,social-emotional teaching strategies from Pyramid Model | Multiple baseline across practices and teaching teams | Three 1-hr trainings over-27d(3 hr total)Materials and resources | E-mail | 9-11 e-mails per participant | NR | 96%~100% | Team 1 and Team 2 increased use of transition preparation strategies,rule reminders,and social-emotional practices relative to baseline(Replication across strategies and teams) | Child1Effects on challenging behavior were variable,但level of chalenging behavior was lower during transitions,rule reminders,and social-emotional strategies than during baselineChild2:Effects on challenging behavior were variable,但level of chalenging behavior was lower during transitions relative to baseline |
| Bishop et al.(2015) | 3 teachers | 3 children at risk for learning challenges | University-based early care and education center | Embedded instruction on 3 learning targets | Combined multi-element and multiple probes across participants | 2-hr training Videos and materials | Self-coaching(self-monitoring)(with feedback from coach(individual)) | Session135-40 min2-8 coaching sessions per participant10-20min | NR | 97%(range87%-100%) | All teachers increased their implementation of embedded instruction learning trial implementation over baseline | One child mastered3/3 embedded instruction learning targets,one child mastered3/3 embedded instruction learning targetsOne child did not master learning target |
| Fox et al.(2011) | 3early childhood special education teachers | N/A | Inclusive public school classrooms | Pyramid Model practices | Multiple-probe across participants | 3-d training(hours NR) | On site(individual) | 6-14 PBC coaching sessions per participant | Master&#x27;s level coach trained in PBC | NR | 2/3 teachers met criterion of 80% implementation of Pyramid Model practices and 5 red flags1 teacher did not meet criterion but improved her percentage of implemented Pyramid Model practices and reduced number of red flags,but not to criterion | N/A |

(continued)

child care
3 children Universityat risk based early 
care and 
learning education 
center
Inclusive pub
lic school 
classrooms

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## Key: BAU, business as usual; BIC, BEST in CLASS; BSP, behavior-specific praise; con, control, comparison or BAU condition; CF, corrective feedback; d, day; mo, month; yr, year; EBD, emotional and behavioral disorders; ELLCO, Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation Tool (ELLCO-PreK; Smith et al., 2008); exp1, experimental condition 1; exp2, experimental condition 2; IF, instructive feedback; N/A, not applicable for study; (SD), mean intensity and standard deviation of focused observation; NR, not reported; OTR, opportunities to respond; PBC, practice-based coaching; PC, precorrection; PD, professional development;

Table 1.3. (continued)

| Single-Case Experimental Design Studies(N=6) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Study | N practitioners | N children | Practice context | Practice focus | Design | PD | PBC delivery format | PBC dose | Coach training and protocol | Coach fidelity | Practitioner outcomes | Child(family)outcomes |
| Hemmeter et al.(2011) | Four preschool teachers | 79 children | Inclusive preschool classrooms(3HeadStart,1child care) | Descriptive praise | Multiple-probeacross participants | One30-mintraining | E-mail(Individual) | 5-7PBCe-mails per participant | Doctoralstudentsinearly childhoodspecialeducation | E-mailfidelity100% | All4teachersincreasedpercentageofintervalsofdescriptivepraise,2teachersrequiredadditionalsupports | 3/4classroomshadreductionsinpercentageofintervalswithchallengingbehavior,slightincreasesinchildengagement |
| Hemmeteret al.(2015) | 3 teachersfromcontrolgroupofpreviousPyramidModelstudy | NR | Inclusivepreschoolclassrooms | PyramidModelpractices | Multipleprobeacrosssets ofpractices,replicatedacrossteachers | One30-to60-mintraining,ourguides,One30-to60-minboostertrainingdue to2-wkbreak | Liveore-mail(Individual) | 3×perwkOn-site:16-26sessionsE-mail:8-10e-mailsperparticipant | NR | Livecoaching:99.43%(range90.9%-100%)E-mailfidelity:100% | Allthree teachersincreaseduseofPyramidModelpracticestocriterionlevels(&gt;80%) | 2/3classroomshadreductionsinclasswidechallengingbehavior |
| Hsieh et al.(2009) | 5full-timeearlychildhoodteachers | NR | Publicpre-Kclassrooms,3childcarecenters | 18emergentliteracyteachingstrategies | Multiplebaselineacrossteachingstrategies replicatedwith5teachers | NA | Onsite(Individual) | 2-3coachingsessionsperwk,6wk,8to12PBC sessionsperparticipant | NR | 100% | All5teachersincreasedtheiruseofemergentliteracestragesabovebaselinelevels,4teachersrequiredboostersemosstocoachbinder | Statisticallysignificantchangesinmean picturenaming,allit-eration,rhymingprintknowledgefrompre-testtopost-test |

Single-Case Experimental Design Studies (
PD
One E-mail (Indi
30-min 
training
participants
One 30- to Live or e-mail 3× per wk
60-min 
training, our 
practices, guides,
replicated One 30- to 
60-min 
booster 
training 
due to 
2-wk 
break
NA On site (Indi
strategies 
replicated 
Key: BAU, business as usual; BIC, BEST in CLASS; BSP, behavior-specific praise; con, control, comparison or BAU condition; CF, corrective feedback; d, day; mo, month; yr, year; EBD, emotional and behavioral disorders; 
ELLCO, Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation Tool (ELLCO-PreK; Smith et al., 2008); exp1, experimental condition 1; exp2, experimental condition 2; IF, instructive feedback; N/A, not applicable for study; 
exp, experimental condition; LAR, Learning Activities Rating Scale; LEC, Literacy Environment Checklist; LLC, language, literacy, and curriculum; 
 (SD), mean intensity and standard deviation of focused observation; NR, not reported; OTR, opportunities to respond; PBC, practice-based coaching; PC, precorrection; PD, professional development; 
SE, social-emotional; practice focus, practices that were the content focus of PD and PBC; TPOT; Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (Hemmeter et al., 2014).
Excerpted from The Essentials of Practice-Based Coaching: Supporting Effective Practices in Early Childhood by Patricia Snyder, Ph.D.,

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Overview of PBC
Although the sample size was limited to 14 studies, less robust effects were shown in these studies. What is not reported by Kraft et al. (2018) is the extent to which teachers accessed or were

ies. What is not reported by Kraft et al. (2018) is the extent to which teachers accessed or were 
shown the available video models during coaching.
No differences were found for coaching delivered face-to-face or virtually, although the 
number of virtual coaching studies was 13, compared to 47 conducted face-to-face. Table 1.3 
shows the delivery format for PBC studies conducted to date. Chapter 2 describes different PBC 
delivery formats and Chapter 10 describes how to use technology supports for delivering PBC

shows the delivery format for PBC studies conducted to date. Chapter 2 describes different PBC 
delivery formats and Chapter 10 describes how to use technology supports for delivering PBC 
virtually or in a hybrid format.
Dose of coaching was somewhat difficult to quantify based on information reported in the 
studies. In the 44 studies that reported dose, 16 reported dosages of 10 hr or less, 14 reported 
21 hr or more, 6 reported 21–30 hr, and 8 reported 30 hr or more. Kraft et al. did not find any 
evidence to support that coaching had to be delivered at a higher dose to be effective. This finding should be interpreted with caution, however, given information about dose and particularly 
dose formats (e.g., dose and type of observation, dose and type of feedback or reflection) often 
are not reported in the literature. As Kraft et al. noted, “The lack of evidence supporting dosage effects suggests that the quality and focus of coaching may be more important than the 
actual number of contact hours” (p. 565). In addition, the dose and dose formats of coaching 
needed to support fidelity of practice implementation are also likely affected by motivational 
and learning characteristics of coachees and coaches, the number and type of practices that are 
the focus of coaching, coachees’ current practice knowledge and skills, the collaborative partnership, and contextual factors that facilitate or hinder practice implementation (Snyder et al., 
2015). In Chapter 9, we provide resources for coaching implementation that includes coaching

nership, and contextual factors that facilitate or hinder practice implementation (Snyder et al., 
2015). In Chapter 9, we provide resources for coaching implementation that includes coaching 
logs to record dose, dose formats, and other PBC content and process features.
In addition to the key coaching features described by Kraft et al. (2018), Lloyd and Modlin 
(2012) emphasized the importance of building partnerships with coachees; observing, modeling, and advising in the practice context; discussing practices; providing support and feedback; assisting with problem-solving challenges; and reviewing and documenting progress 
toward identified practice goals. As these authors noted, “. . . [coachees] are more likely to follow 
through and consistently apply the skills they have learned when they have continued support 
[partnerships]” (p. 3). Collaborative partnerships are an important part of PBC, and strategies

through and consistently apply the skills they have learned when they have continued support 
[partnerships]” (p. 3). Collaborative partnerships are an important part of PBC, and strategies 
for building and maintaining these partnerships are described in Chapter 3.
In their 2012 descriptive systematic review of early childhood professional development 
studies published between 1970 and 2011, Snyder et al. examined which coaching strategies 
(e.g., performance feedback, goal setting, modeling) were used in the 159 studies that included 
follow-up support (including coaching) as part of professional development. Although Snyder 
et al. reported the number and type of follow-up strategies used in these studies, they did not 
analyze whether these strategies were used separately or in combination, or whether use of 
particular strategies or combinations of strategies were differentially effective in supporting

analyze whether these strategies were used separately or in combination, or whether use of 
particular strategies or combinations of strategies were differentially effective in supporting 
fidelity of practice implementation.
Artman-Meeker et al. (2015) reviewed 49 studies that focused on coaching early childhood professionals to implement intervention practices in job-embedded settings. In addition 
to examining the characteristics of learners and coaches, preparation and supports offered to 
coaches, and the rigor and quality of the studies, these authors identified coaching strategies 
used in the reviewed studies from a list of 12 strategies. The most commonly used strategies, 
occurring in 30% or more of the reviewed studies, were performance feedback (85.7%), intentional planning for practice between sessions (55.1%), use of a coaching manual (53.1%), collaborative progress monitoring (38.8%), ongoing use of an action plan (32.7%), and practice of new 
skills (30.6%). Less frequently used strategies were live modeling (26.5%), help with instructional materials (20.4%), video models (16.3%), video self-reflection (14.3%), intentional focus on 
relationships (12.2%), and role play (4.1%). Of note, only 2 of 49 studies included in the review 
described a comprehensive coaching model like PBC with a focus on partnerships, goal set-

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Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox

18 Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox
childhood setting. More than half of the studies included four of these five features but did 
not describe an emphasis on the collaborative partnership, which is an essential component 
of PBC. Less than one third of the studies reported providing training or follow-up support to 
coaches on the effective practices that were the focus of coaching. This is a key feature of PBC, 
which emphasizes the importance of professional development for coaches, including ongoing 
support for fidelity, on both PBC and the practices that are the focus of PBC. Chapter 9 details

support for fidelity, on both PBC and the practices that are the focus of PBC. Chapter 9 details 
essential supports for coaches.
Findings from Snyder et al. (2012) and Artman-Meeker et al. (2015) about coaching strategies were used to inform the identification of and operational definitions for the coaching 
strategies included in the PBC framework. Subsequent empirical studies conducted using PBC 
(see Table 1.3), which have examined further the use of these strategies, have resulted in the 
identification of essential and enhancement coaching strategies. Both classes of strategies are 
defined and illustrated in detail in Chapter 4. In addition, Chapter 5 defines what is meant by 
a practice and provides resources for conducting practice-focused strengths and needs assessments. Chapter 9 describes supports for PBC implementation, including coaching logs that list 
essential and enhancement coaching strategies. Chapter 10 provides information about how 
technology can be used to support PBC implementation and how essential and enhancement

## coaching strategies can be included.

Empirical Support for Practice-Based Coaching
As shown in Table 1.3, there is growing empirical support for PBC and its promise for improving coachees’ implementation of evidence-based practices and child outcomes. Both group 
experimental (N = 10) and single-case design experimental studies (N = 6) have been conducted. 
Across these 16 studies, 605 practitioners were included. For the 12 studies that examined both

Across these 16 studies, 605 practitioners were included. For the 12 studies that examined both 
practitioner and child outcomes, 2,895 children were included.
As shown in Table 1.3, the practice focus for PBC in the 16 studies was social-emotional 
practices, including the Pyramid Model (e.g., Hemmeter et al., 2016); targeted social, emotional, and behavioral teaching practices for young children at elevated risk for emotional 
and behavioral disabilities (BEST in CLASS; e.g., Conroy et al., 2015); early literacy practices 
(e.g., Greenwood et al., 2017; Hsieh et al., 2009); and embedded instruction (e.g., Snyder et al., 
2018). To date, practice contexts have included Head Start, state-funded pre-Kindergarten programs, preschool classrooms in public schools serving children with disabilities, and early 
care and education settings. The use of practice-based coaching is currently being examined 
in early intervention programs serving infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families

et al., 2011) to 19.5 hr in a study focused on supporting teachers’ implementation of Pyramid 
Model practices (Hemmeter et al., 2016; Hemmeter et al., 2020).
PBC was primarily provided face-to-face, although two studies examined the effects of distance coaching via e-mail on providers’ implementation of Pyramid Model practices (Artman 
Meeker & Hemmeter, 2012; Artman-Meeker et al., 2014), and three studies examined effects

care and education settings. The use of practice-based coaching is currently being examined 
in early intervention programs serving infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families 
(e.g., Bigelow et al., 2020; Woods et al., 2018).
In all but one study shown in Table 1.3, knowledge-, dispositional-, or skill-building forms 
of professional development (e.g., workshop series, brief trainings, online video exemplars, case 
stories, web-based modules, implementation guides, materials) were provided to coachees in 
addition to PBC. PBC was provided as follow-up support for fidelity of practice implementation in the coachees’ job-embedded context. This approach is consistent with evidence that 
shows knowledge- dispositional-, and skills-building forms of professional development are 
necessary, but not sufficient, for supporting practice implementation in job-embedded contexts 
(Joyce & Showers, 2002; Kraft et al., 2018). The dose of the professional development varied as 
a function of the number of practices and ranged from one 30-min training in a study focused 
on supporting teachers’ implementation of a single practice (i.e., descriptive praise; Hemmeter 
et al., 2011) to 19.5 hr in a study focused on supporting teachers’ implementation of Pyramid

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Overview of PBC
Snyder, Hemmeter, Algina et al., 2020). Those providing coaching were a) study authors with 
expertise in both PBC and the practices that were the focus of coaching, b) study personnel who 
were experienced providers of professional development or technical assistance and received 
additional training and support to reach and maintain fidelity in PBC implementation and the 
practices, or c) graduate students or research assistants who received training and ongoing support to reach and maintain fidelity in PBC implementation and the practices. Dose of coaching in 
the group experimental design studies ranged from 6 to 16.5 coaching sessions with variability 
in the duration and length of sessions. In the single-case experimental design studies, dose var-

the group experimental design studies ranged from 6 to 16.5 coaching sessions with variability 
in the duration and length of sessions. In the single-case experimental design studies, dose varied as a function of the number and type of practices and the delivery format for the coaching.
Improved reporting about coaching dose and dose formats is needed in both research and 
practice (Kraft, 2018). As Artman et al. (2015) noted, these data are important to increase understanding and decision making, both in research and in practice, about what dose (intensity, 
frequency, duration) and dose formats (e.g., expert/peer/self/group; on site/distance/hybrid) are 
needed for which coachees and under what conditions (e.g., PBC to support implementation

frequency, duration) and dose formats (e.g., expert/peer/self/group; on site/distance/hybrid) are 
needed for which coachees and under what conditions (e.g., PBC to support implementation 
of six instructional practices versus a comprehensive framework such as the Pyramid Model).
Research to date has illuminated the importance of preparing coaches to implement PBC 
and to ensure they have knowledge and skills in the practices that are the content focus of 
coaching. In addition, coaches need ongoing professional development to maintain fidelity of 
PBC implementation, including opportunities to discuss coaching successes and challenges 
with other coaches, to have focused observations of their coaching implementation, and to 
reflect and receive feedback about coaching implementation. Professional development supports provided to coaches should mirror the components of the PBC provided to coachees 
(i.e., coaching strengths and needs assessment, coaching goal setting and action planning, 
focused observation of coaching, reflection and feedback about coaching implementation). The 
professional development supports should be provided in the context of a collaborative partnership with other coaches, including lead coaches who are internal or might be external to the 
program as part of technical assistance or professional development systems at programmatic,

program as part of technical assistance or professional development systems at programmatic, 
local, regional, state, or national levels.
In 11 of 16 studies, data were reported about the fidelity with which PBC was implemented. 
Fidelity data often were obtained from coaching protocols, including coaching logs and action 
plans. Data on the fidelity of PBC implementation are important to enable data-informed decision making about relationships among coaching structures, content, and processes (i.e., coaching efforts); practice implementation; and desired outcomes (i.e., coaching effects) as shown in

SUMMARY
In this chapter, we have provided background about PBC and its common and distinct features. The theoretical foundations for PBC, including how PBC relates to coaching as a competency driver in the active implementation science frameworks, and an abbreviated theory of

## SUMMARY

ing efforts); practice implementation; and desired outcomes (i.e., coaching effects) as shown in 
Figure 1.3.
The group experimental design studies show increases in practitioners’ fidelity of practice 
implementation relative to those who did not receive professional development and PBC. The 
data reported in these studies represent average practice implementation for participants based 
on the experimental condition to which they were assigned. For the single-case design studies, 
all practitioners showed increases in their fidelity of practice implementation relative to their 
baseline implementation of practices. Seven of the 10 group experimental design studies examined child outcomes. On average, children in practitioners’ classrooms who received professional development and PBC had better development and learning outcomes relative to children 
in practitioners’ classrooms who did not receive professional development and PBC. More 
detailed information about each of the studies shown in Table 1.3 can be found in the original

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Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox

20 Snyder, Hemmeter, and Fox
content, and process features of PBC have been described along with a summary of the existing empirical evidence for PBC. Chapter 2 provides additional information about PBC, including an overview of professional development, PBC in the context of professional development, 
PBC components, and PBC delivery formats and modalities. Three case stories are introduced at the end of Chapter 2 that will be used throughout the remaining chapters. Following 
Chapter 2, each chapter provides detailed information about the structural and process features 
of PBC. Supplemental materials and resources to support implementation of PBC are included 
in these chapters, and the case stories are used to illustrate how these materials and resources 
are used. Our goal is to provide readers with essential information, materials, and resources to
