Commitment Cards: A Strategy for Mathematics Coaches

In the realm of high school sports, few stories are as inspiring as that of Bob Ladouceur, the legendary football coach of the De La Salle Spartans. Coach Ladouceur’s innovative use of “commitment cards” was a cornerstone of his strategy, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence that led to an unprecedented 399 wins and 20 perfect seasons. This method not only transformed his football team but also offers a powerful blueprint for educational settings, particularly in mathematics instruction.

The Power of Commitment Cards

Each week, Coach Ladouceur would have his players write down their conditioning, practice, and game goals on simple 3×5 index cards. These goals, as Coach Lad stressed, needed to be “measurable and observable,” enabling both the team and the individuals to track progress and uphold their commitments. For example, a player might have written, “I will complete 100% of my tackles in the next game,” or “I will improve my 40-yard dash time by 0.2 seconds.” The accountability aspect was crucial; players would exchange cards and hold each other responsible for these commitments, discussing them openly if goals were not met.

This method proved incredibly effective, cultivating a sense of responsibility and collective improvement. It shifted focus from individual accolades to team success and personal growth, a philosophy that can profoundly impact educational practices.

Adapting Commitment Cards for Math Instruction

In math education, it can be challenging to help teachers sustainably shift their practices. During professional development (PD) sessions or one-on-one coaching, teachers may understand the new pedagogical approaches and intend to implement them. However, these changes may fail to materialize consistently and effectively in the classroom. Educators have myriad tasks each week, and often, implementing new strategies falls to the bottom of their priority list. While teachers need to feel confident in the math content they teach and believe that the new pedagogical methods will enhance their students’ understanding without disrupting lesson pacing, they also require accountability to ensure these changes are effectively executed.

Math coaches can draw direct inspiration from Coach Ladouceur’s playbook to support math teachers in their professional learning communities (PLCs). By integrating commitment cards into weekly PLC meetings, teachers can articulate and share their professional development goals, creating a supportive environment that encourages growth and accountability. Here’s how it can work:

1. Dual Goals on Each Card: Each teacher writes two specific goals on their card — a “teacher-move goal” aimed at improving their instructional strategies, and a “math proficiency goal” focused on enhancing their own understanding of math concepts.
2. Exchange and Accountability: Teachers exchange cards with a colleague who then becomes their accountability partner for the week, mirroring the peer-driven accountability that was central to De La Salle’s success.
3. Review and Reflect: At the next PLC meeting, partners discuss the progress and challenges related to the goals on the cards, providing feedback and strategies for improvement.

The Broader Impact

Just as Coach Ladouceur emphasized the non-visual markers of success over trophies, math coaches and teachers can focus on the intrinsic rewards of learning and teaching mathematics. By making professional growth tangible through commitment cards, teachers are likely to find a renewed focus and energy in their teaching practices, leading to improved outcomes for all students.

Commitment cards are more than just a tool; they are a transformational strategy that can bring about substantial improvements in educational environments. By borrowing from the playbook of one of the most successful coaches in sports history, math coaches have the opportunity to lead their teachers toward a more accountable, committed, and effective teaching practice.