The Effects of Peer Coaching on the Evaluation Knowledge, Skills, and Concerns of Gifted Program Administrators

Abstract

To increase knowledge and skills in program evaluation, a peer-coaching intervention provided one-on-one professional development to gifted program administrators. This randomized field study examined the effects of peer coaching on evaluation knowledge and skills and on administrators’ concerns about implementing more rigorous program evaluations. In addition, the peer-coaching intervention focused on increased access to program services for culturally diverse and low-income gifted learners. Results revealed a statistically significant increase in gifted administrators’ knowledge of and skills in program evaluation attributed to the peer-coaching intervention. Peer-coached program administrators were less distracted and more focused on implementing program evaluation and reported decreased concerns about implementing them. Peer coaching did not increase placements for culturally diverse and low-income learners in program services; however, peer coaching positively affected referral rate for traditionally underrepresented groups.