Local Education Agencies

Local education agencies (LEA) include superintendents, curriculum directors, elementary education directors, and other central office leaders. They provide the conditions for coaching success. They are responsible for the local implementation of WVImpact+ and aligning it with district priorities to ensure that coaches are effectively integrated into schools. District responsibilities include the following. 

Personnel and Program Management

LEAs hire qualified literacy and numeracy coaches with appropriate credentials, in accordance with state guidelines and the WVImpact+ grant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Scope of Work. They also ensure coaches are placed in the appropriate schools and provide them with a clear supervisory structure (often coaches report to a district curriculum director or similar role). Additionally, they support principals in integrating coaching and explicitly communicate the non-evaluative nature of the coach’s role to all staff.

Systems and Infrastructure

LEAs establish local systems that allow coaching to happen effectively. This includes:

• Ensuring coaches have dedicated time to work with teachers
• Release periods for our required trainings and professional learning
• Access to necessary data and instructional resources
• Providing appropriate workspace in their assigned schools.

District leaders must protect the coaching role from administrative overload or reassignment (e.g., coaches should not be used as substitute teachers or test coordinators, in line with state guidance).

Alignment and Monitoring

LEAs align WVImpact+ with the district’s strategic plan and school improvement efforts, making sure that coaching goals are reflected in local plans. They also facilitate collaboration among coaches and principals to ensure everyone is working toward common priorities.

Support and Accountability

LEAs champion the coaching initiative by visibly supporting it in communications and professional meetings. They also encourage school leaders and teachers to fully engage with coaches and celebrate improvements in practice or student outcomes that result from coaching. Ultimately, district leaders are accountable for the success of WVImpact+ in their schools, and their active support and oversight are critical to sustaining the program beyond initial grant funding.