Practice-Based
Coaching (PBC) Cycles
Evidence-informed coaching to support practitioners, children, and families!
What is a PBC Cycle?
Practice-based coaching (PBC) is an evidence-based approach to coaching that helps practitioners to learn about and use effective practices (Snyder et al. 2015, 2022). Effective practices are actions or behaviors we can see practitioners use with children and families.
A Practice-Based Coaching cycle is how the coach and practitioner(s) collaboratively engage in (1) goal setting and action planning, (2) focused observation, and (3) reflection and feedback.
Goal setting and action planning is informed by strengths and needs assessment data collected by the coach and practitioner(s) that describe what the practitioner(s) knows and can do related to the effective practices and what might be priorities for coach supports. The cycle can take place using a variety of different coaching formats (e.g., individual, group, in person, virtual, hybrid). Coaches and practitioners connect on an ongoing basis using a format that meets their needs.
Why are PBC Cycles important for PBC-DIDM?
PBC cycles are where practitioners gain the knowledge and skills needed to enhance their use of effective practices with children and their families.
PBC Cycles are also where coaches gather important information about their coaching efforts when implementing PBC. Often, coaches use a coaching log or checklist to record: (a) how much PBC support they provided, (b) how well they implemented the PBC framework, and (c) which coaching strategies they used.
Coaches also collect information about their coaching effects during PBC Cycles. Coaches can use a checklist or other data collection tools to record (a) how often practitioners use effective practices with children and families, and (b) how well practitioners use effective practices with children and their families.
Coaching effort and effect data collected during PBC Cycles can help programs to plan for PBC and related professional development experiences, using the Prepare, Look, Think, Act (PLTA) Process.
How could teams or individuals use this information?
When programs implement PBC-DIDM, systems (and schedules) are established to help coaches and practitioners to engage in the PBC Cycles. Leadership Teams and Lead PBC Coaches will develop and support coaches to use electronic systems for recording information about their coaching efforts and effects during or immediately after PBC Cycles.
The Practice-Based Coaching Cycles module will help teams and individuals to learn more about considerations for setting up a system for collecting PBC effort (i.e., How much? How well?) and effect data (i.e., Is it making a difference?).
What resources are available?
Learn more about PBC Cycles by visiting the Resources Library where you can search for “PBC Cycles.”
Learn more about PBC-DIDM, including identifying and aligning sources of Effort and Effect data and the Effort and Effect Cascade by visiting other pages on this website!
