Abstract

This paper presents the results of several evaluation studies designed to examine the impact the Direct Instruction Model had on selected students in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. Over 600 students participated during a 7-year period. Because Williamsburg County is an isolated rural county, this school improvement project has relevance to school improvement efforts in other rural communities. The performance of students in the Direct Instruction Program was contrasted with the performance of similar students in the district taught with the curriculum materials and methods which were routinely used in the school district. Students were tested in all basic skill areas: reading, math, language, and spelling. Measures of self-esteem were taken also. Students were compared on: (a) standardized tests of academic achievement; (b) the South Carolina Test of Basic Skills; and (c) retention rates at the end of the 12th grade. Results of these studies show that the Direct Instruction students outperformed the local comparison students on virtually every measure utilized

How to Cite:

Darch, C., Gersten, R. & Taylor, R., (1987) “Evaluation of the Williamsburg County Direct Instruction Program: Factors Leading to Success in Rural Elementary Programs”, Journal of Research in Rural Education 4(3), 111–118.

Rights: Copyright