Built with and for teachers
Why Partner with ArgCoach?
A research-based approach. A real impact for elementary classrooms.
Our work on classroom dialogue, argumentation, and teacher learning spans more than two decades.
Backed by 20+ years of research
Supports the discussion and reasoning practices emphasized in national and state standards.
Designed for elementary classrooms
ArgCoach is supported by the National Science Foundation, allowing participating districts and teachers to access high-quality, research-based professional development at no cost.
Available at no cost
Developed through decades of collaboration with elementary teachers in real classrooms.
The Research Behind ArgCoach
More than 20 years of research on classroom dialogue and argumentation.
Practice tools for teachers. Now enhanced with AI.
Practice tools for teachers. Now enhanced with AI.
FROM RESEARCH TO CLASSROOM PRACTICE
The Most Reasonable Answer
Alina Reznitskaya and Ian A. G. Wilkinson
Harvard Education Press
Harvard Education Press
Based on years of research and work in nearly 50 classrooms, this book provides field-tested tools to help teachers develop students' argumentation skills through discussion, reading, and writing.
"Finally, a resource that can help elementary teachers engage students in deep, meaningful discussions about the texts they read!"
- Amy Pacifico, Grade 5 Teacher, West Orange School District, NJ
- Amy Pacifico, Grade 5 Teacher, West Orange School District, NJ
Selected Publications
TEACHER LEARNING
Professional
Development in
Classroom Discussion
Development in
Classroom Discussion
Learning and Instruction (2023)
Examined teacher and student outcomes from professional development in classroom discussion.
STUDENT REASONING
Classroom Discussion and Written Argumentation
Journal of Educational Psychology (2001)
Early evidence on how classroom discussion supports written arguments.
ARGUMENT QUALITY
Beyond Structure:
Using the Rational
Force Model
Using the Rational
Force Model
Written Communication (2023)
A theory-driven framework for evaluation the quality of students' arguments.
ARGUMENTATION TOOL
The Argumentation Rating Tool
Theory & Research in Social Education (2021)
A rubric with 11 practices to support and assess argument quality.
ELEMENT CLASSROOMS
Teaching and Learning Argumentation
The Elementary School Journal (2007)
Foundational work on argumentation in elementary classrooms.