Evaluation of the Williamsburg County Direct Instruction Program: Factors Leading to Success in Rural Elementary Programs

Darch, C.; Gersten, R.; Taylor, R.

Abstract:

This article examines the impact of the implementation of Direct Instruction curriculum on the students in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. The study was conducted over a period of seven years and included 600 students. The performance of the students in the Direct Instruction program was compared to the performance of similar students in the same school district who were taught with the previously used curriculum. Students were tested in all basic skill areas: reading, math, language and spelling. Students’ self-esteem was also measured. Results indicated that students in the Direct Instruction program demonstrated greater gains than the comparison students on almost every measure utilized. Additionally, the Direct Instruction students continued to demonstrate greater academic success than the comparison students throughout their high school education. (Copyright © 2011, National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI). All rights reserved).

Research areas:

• Project Follow Through

Year:

1987

Main publication type:

Program Effectiveness

Subtype:

Article

Keywords:

Project Follow Through, cognitive conceptual skills, basic academic skills, reading, math, language, spelling, self-esteem, DISTAR, Reading Mastery

Source:

Research in Rural Education

Volume:

4

Number:

3

Pages:

111-118

Design type:

Longitudinal study, Pretest Posttest Control Group Design

Fidelity monitored:

Yes

Students included:

Elementary students, African American students, Caucasian students, economically disadvantaged children, low-SES students, at-risk students

Other tags:

Direct Instruction, Project Follow Through, cognitive conceptual skills, basic academic skills, reading, math, language, spelling, self-esteem, Wide Range Achievement Test, DISTAR, Reading Mastery , SRA Reading Mastery, Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT), Coopersmith Self-Concept Inventory, IARS, Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS), Basic Skills Assessment Program (BSAP)

Location/Setting:

Southeast, Williamsburg County, South Carolina, rural area, elementary school