Congratulations to Robin Pitts who on Thursday, December 14, 2023, successfully defended her dissertation. The title of Robin’s dissertation is: COACHING EFFECTIVENESS OF FIRST YEAR PRINCIPALS IN LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS: AN INTERPRETIVE STUDY WITH AN ASSET BASED APPROACH.

Robin’s research study investigates the coaching effectiveness of first-year principals in low-performing schools, employing the International Coach Federation (ICF) coaching framework. The study aims to provide insights into how successful ICF-coached principals perceive coaching's utility, transfer learning from coaching to their leadership roles, perceive added value during their transition into successful school leaders, and navigate institutional barriers in Targeted Support and Comprehensive Support and Improvement schools in New York State. The theoretical framework draws on Knowles' andragogy and Cox's adult learning theory, providing a lens for examining coaching's impact on leadership development. Findings indicate that successful principals construct the value of ICF coaching through a non-judgmental thought partnership, aligning coaching with instructional leadership concepts.

This study contributes to understanding how quality ICF coaching supports new leaders in low-performing schools, aiming to retain them in the educational workforce.

Dissertation Committee Chair:
Dr. Yiping Wan

Dissertation Committee Members:
Dr. Kenneth Mitchell
Dr. James C. Brown