How Coaching Can Speed up Struggling Readers Process of Achieving Reading Goals

You may have heard of coaching.  Everyone seems to be doing it these days.  Coaching, a partnership between coach and a client, is often associated with life or executive coaching. However, its methods have been successfully adapted to support struggling readers, including those who struggle with attention and learning challenges. Coaching focuses on enhancing quality of life, improving performance, and supporting personal growth by providing structure, accountability, and tailored strategies.

In 2020, I earned my student coaching certification under the guidance of Jodi Sleeper-Triplett, a world-renowned expert, researcher, and author in student and ADHD/Executive Function coaching. She is also a pioneer of the ADHD student coaching movement.

Her and her team of expertly trained coaches led me to one key takeaway.   How closely teaching and coaching can be intertwined. The difference lies in the approach: a teacher listens to their students and asks thoughtful questions that encourage self-reflection. Together, they identify the best action steps toward achieving the student's learning goals. Instead of simply saying, "do this" or handing over a strategy from the curriculum, the teacher first listens, assesses, and engages in a meaningful dialogue to ensure the approach is truly tailored to the student's needs.

The coaching process for struggling readers involves exploring strengths, talents, and tools to increase self-awareness and personal empowerment. Together, the coach and struggling reader design strategies and actions, monitor progress, and create accountability aligned with the student's goals and aspirations.

It seems like a time-consuming extra step.  It’s actually the opposite!

The concept of coaching for struggling readers gained recognition through the work of Hallowell and Ratey in their book Driven to Distraction (1994), which highlighted coaching as an effective intervention for adults. However, with more research and evidence, the focus on youth coaching emerged later, addressing the specific needs of neurodiverse students, especially in academic settings. Academic coaching became highly recommended by the most expert educators, for struggling students, offering essential support for maintaining focus, staying on task, and improving time management and organizational skills.

Coaching helps struggling readers in several key areas:

1. Skill Development: Coaches teach techniques to improve focus, task management, and organization. These skills not only enhance reading performance but also contribute to smoother life and lay the foundation for future success.
2. Motivation and Confidence: Starting the coaching process early helps students avoid frustration, stay motivated, and build self-confidence during their formative years.
3. Structure and Routines: Many struggling readers benefit from consistent routines and structures, which can be challenging to maintain. Coaches work with students and parents to establish and sustain effective routines, fostering consistency that supports the student's growth.

This coaching strategy fosters more focused, strategic learning, helping struggling readers reach each action step faster. While you may spend more time "coaching" the reader, they avoid wasting years on ineffective strategies that don’t truly improve their reading. In the end, they make quicker, more meaningful progress.

With the support of a well-trained coach, struggling readers can become fluent, developing the skills and confidence they need to succeed both academically and personally. Coaching is not just about managing challenges; it's about empowering students to reach their full potential in a supportive, structured, and nurturing environment.