START Coaching Resources and Tools
Resources for Effective Teaming and Problem Solving
The Effective Teaming and Meeting Mechanics tools provide a structured process for collaborative problem-solving, decision-making, and action planning. They help teams organize information, identify priorities, and develop actionable plans that support implementation and continuous improvement. By creating a shared process for effective meetings, these tools promote collaboration, increase shared understanding, and ensure decisions lead to meaningful action.
In coaching, the Effective Teaming and Meeting Mechanics tools provide a framework for meetings and facilitating collaborative problem-solving. They help coaches organize discussions, support data-based decision-making, define clear action steps, and monitor progress over time. By creating a consistent process for team meetings, these tools help move teams from discussion to implementation.
Key Features of Effective Teaming and Meeting Mechanics
- Effective teaming and meeting structures: Establishes meeting routines, agendas, guiding principles, and clearly defined roles that support productive collaboration.
- Action planning: Helps teams identify priorities, define responsibilities, and monitor implementation over time.
- Visual organizers: Structure discussions, organize information, and support efficient, productive meetings.
- Structured problem-solving process: Guides teams through identifying problems, analyzing variables, generating solutions, and developing action plans.
- Collaborative decision-making: Builds shared understanding and increases team ownership of decisions.
Structured Classroom Tools for Coaching
Coaching is most effective when it is anchored to a structured tool. Structured tools provide the consistency needed to turn coaching conversations into measurable implementation of evidence-based practice.
A structured tool:
- Anchors coaching conversations and actions.
- Creates a shared language and consistent coaching practices across the team.
- Translates evidence-based practices into observable, measurable actions.
- Provides a foundation for professional learning, coaching, and fidelity assessment.
- Generates implementation data to monitor progress and improve student outcomes.
START Classroom Tools to Support Coaching
The Classroom Environment and Teaching Assessment (CETA) for K-12 classrooms, and the Strengthening Practices Observation Tool (SPOT) for early learning settings are designed to help teachers and school teams proactively explore and strengthen inclusive classroom practices. It supports the creation of effective learning environments for all students, particularly those with higher support needs.
These tools anchor coaching conversations around observable, evidence-based practices and create a shared language for coaches and educators. It helps identify priorities, guide implementation, and monitor progress over time, supporting consistent coaching practices across classrooms, buildings, and districts.
Classroom Environment and Teaching Assessment (CETA) - K-12 Classrooms
The CETA addresses seven key areas of classroom practice:
- Classroom Environment
- Adult Support and Interactions
- Visual and Organizational Supports
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- Instruction and Academic Engagement
- Communication Systems and Supports
- Social Interaction and Peer to Peer Opportunities
Strengthening Practices Observation Tool (SPOT) for Early Childhood - Early Learning Classrooms
(Tool is coming soon)
The SPOT addresses eight key areas of classroom practice:
- Classroom Environment and Preparation
- Adult Support and Interactions
- Visual and Organizational Supports
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- Instructional Approach and Activities
- Communication Systems and Supports
- Social Interaction and Play
- Data Collection
Other early childhood assessment tools may be used in place of the SPOT, such as the TPOT, ECERS-3, or the CLASS.