Traditionally, Response to Intervention (RTI) is often visualized as a pyramid, with Tier 1 at the base, encompassing the largest group of students, and Tiers 2 and 3 narrowing towards the top, representing progressively smaller groups needing more intensive support. This model can sometimes lead to an over-reliance on remediation, with many students requiring additional…
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Building Confidence Through Comprehensive Test Prep Test preparation is vital for helping English Learners (ELs) perform their best on assessments that include speaking, listening, reading, and writing components. State tests, or standardized tests for ELs assess language proficiency across these domains, and targeted test prep helps familiarize students with the format, question types, and expectations,…
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The Importance of Test Prep for Students The Role of Test Preparation in Academic Achievement Test preparation is essential for helping students perform at their best during assessments. Whether for state exams, standardized tests, or subject-specific assessments, test prep familiarizes students with the format, question types, and expectations. This reduces anxiety and boosts confidence. Reinforcing…
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In the podcast, Silvia Ybarra and John Hollingsworth co-authors of Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) and EDI for English Learners, share their expertise on applying EDI effectively in classrooms and across entire school systems. Together, they discuss the origins of EDI, how it evolved, and why it drives educational improvement. Silvia and John emphasize EDI’s structured…
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EDI AND HIGHER-ORDER QUESTIONING: BUILDING CRITICAL THINKERS Structuring Lessons with Thought-Provoking Questions As an educator focused on effective instruction, the transformative power of Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) is evident in how it elevates classroom questioning from basic recall to deep critical thinking. This approach reshapes traditional questioning methods into a structured process that promotes deeper…
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As educators, we all encounter moments when students struggle to answer questions correctly. So, what can we do when they don’t get it right? How can we help them move from confusion to clarity? The answer lies in effective feedback when checking for understanding.
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I have been working with high schools with high percentages of English Learners. In many classrooms, lessons were being taught in English and then retaught in Spanish. The English Learners did not participate in the English lesson as they waited for the Spanish version, and they ended up using any English while in class. I…
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I have been working with schools with very high percentages of English Learners. Classes were being taught in English and then retaught in Spanish. Were the English Learners using any English? No, they sat and waited for the Spanish translations. When I started my rounds of K to 12 Explicit Direct Instruction demo lessons, I…
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“There are two types of Principals. One who focuses on Operations or one who focuses on Instruction. You want to be an Instructional Leader if you want to change instruction and ultimately classroom results.” –John Hollingsworth, Co-Author of Explicit Direct Instruction Administrators Can Become More Effective Instructional Leaders Instructional Leadership programs usually involve a series…
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