Amy, Thanks for the research link suggestions. I will look them up. I think the big difference is whether the developers of Direct Instruction programs, who also produced their own research saying their programs work, made profits from their programs based on their research results and marketing ploys. Someone else who has a better handle of the research out there might want to address this question: what does the independent research say about Direct Instruction programs and, since you brought it up, Reading Recovery? Also, I don't know that Stephanie Goudvis, et al are making any claims as far as test gains, etc because people are applying their ideas in their classroom. BTW, Strategies that Work is not a program. Unfortunately, my experience with proponents of DI is that they see everything as a program. Life is broader than that. Teachers are smarter than that. A program, especially one that needs to be followed with "fidelity" (what the heck does that mean???), is an insult to teachers' intelligence and professionalism. While you claim that teachers may deviate from the script, children are different and throw us curve balls every once in a while, you imply that this is the exception rather than the norm. To me, I want it to be the norm. Each child is different and deserves different approaches to learning based on a solid philosophy backed up by pedagogical principles and research (expert and teacher). Elisa
Elisa Waingort Grade 2 Spanish Bilingual Dalhousie Elementary Calgary, Canada The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart. —Helen Keller Visit my blog, A Teacher's Ruminations, and post a message. http://waingortgrade2spanishbilingual.blogspot.com/ Second, (and this is a bit more harsh, but true non-the-less) that someone profits financially from selling their well researched books and workshops. Food for thought. I hope this information helps. Amy
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