Importance of Coaching: A Brief Survey of Probation Officers

• NCJ Number: 240580
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 76 Issue: 2 Dated: September 2012 Pages: 36-39
• Author(s): Melanie S. Lowenkamp; Charles R. Robinson; Igor Koutsenok; Christopher T. Lowenkamp; Natalie Pearl
• Date Published: September 2012
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey; Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This research examines the manner in which "coaching" assists probation officers in adopting and using newly acquired practice-model skills.

Abstract

Emerging research indicates the importance of ongoing training and coaching. Joyce and Showers (2002) report that training in theory, modeling of new skills, and role play with feedback leads to 5 percent of the trainees using a new skill in their work environment. Adding on-the-job training or coaching to the training package increases that rate to 95 percent. In attempting to understand the manner in which coaching assists officers in adopting and using newly acquired practice-model skills, the current study conducted surveys of probation officers administered at the conclusion of training efforts in two different systems. The analysis of survey responses suggest that coaching provides an opportunity for training participants to ask questions that are left unresolved after the classroom training and an opportunity to better understand how they might use the skills with clients. In addition, survey results indicate that coaching makes it more likely that participants will use the skills than if they only receive classroom training. These findings indicate that simplicity, opportunities to try the new innovation, observable results, and relative advantage are all factors that predict whether an innovation is likely to be implemented in practice. The opportunity to watch other practitioners use an innovation that achieves observable results can persuade an officer new to the practice to embrace it in his/her own work. Coaching also enables officers who are new to the innovation to better understand or simplify the new skills. To the extent that the officers responding to the survey were able to try the skills in a safe environment with support and coaching, they were more likely to incorporate the new skills into their practice. 2 tables and 22 references