The Impact of Administrative Decisions on Implementation Fidelity of Direct Instruction and Student Achievement

Abstract

This article examined the extent to which administrative decisions that affected the implementation fidelity of Direct Instruction programs were related to student achievement. Data from three studies showed that administrative decisions that disregarded recommended protocols regarding teacher training, teacher preparation, and student schedules were related to lower levels of teacher fidelity, student progress at mastery, and student achievement. Most results were statistically significant and had large associated effect sizes. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.