Working Smart: Using What We Know

Abstract

J/P Associates is a consulting firm which implements school-wide, whole-system programs of direct instruction. Administrators as well as teachers and ancillary personnel receive preservice and in-service training including in-classroom coaching to conduct high quality direct instruction lessons. The critical indicator of teacher performance is student learning, which is evaluated using both program-based criterion-referenced, as well as norm-referenced (standardized achievement), tests. Teaching is adjusted as needed based on student performance. In an evaluation, when a school implemented this on its own, significant achievement gains were noted. When then again implemented with appropriate support and training, scores increased even more. Some classes of mostly minority students obtained top scores in the state. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)