Principal Investigator
Stacey Alicea – RPPL
Project Description
This research initiative, led by RPPL, funds and coordinates multiple studies examining the impact of AI-enabled coaching tools on teacher professional learning, instructional practice, and student outcomes. The studies are conducted by research teams at the University of Maryland, Teaching Lab, and the Center for Public Research and Leadership in partnership with Teaching Matters. Across the studies, researchers will test different approaches to AI-supported coaching, including comparing reflective versus directive feedback, developing tools to support student-centered coaching, and examining how AI tools are used in real-world coaching contexts. The research includes randomized controlled trials and mixed-methods analyses using classroom observations, surveys, interviews, and administrative data to assess impacts on teacher practice, coaching quality, and student engagement and achievement. The initiative is supported by a broader community of practice to ensure findings are relevant for practitioners and can inform scalable approaches to professional learning.
Research Questions
- What is the impact of AI-enabled coaching tools on teacher instructional practices, professional learning experiences, and student outcomes?
- How do different approaches to AI-supported coaching (e.g., reflective vs. directive feedback, student-centered coaching tools) influence effectiveness?
- How are AI coaching tools used in practice, and what factors support or hinder their effective implementation and scalability?
