Direct Instruction (Distar) reading program¶

Element · All elements
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Direct Instruction, known as Distar in the 1960s, is a reading and mathematics instructional program for elementary students. The article defines it as "a phonic-based method that uses a scripted lesson plans engaging students to learn by memory and classroom responses." It originated in the mid-1960s, was developed by Bereiter and Englemann, and was evaluated in Project Follow Through for students at risk for failure. In this study it was the reading program received by 30 of 72 sixth-grade students at a Chicago public school.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Scripted lesson plans with clear, unambiguous teacher delivery and materials, which the article calls "faultless communication"

Constraints¶

• The article reports that some educators feel the program is geared for primary grades and that experienced teachers may resist changing their teaching style

Target Learners¶

• sixth-grade students in a predominantly low socioeconomic, 100% minority urban public school

Target Learning Goals¶

• reading achievement (reading comprehension and vocabulary)

Claims¶

Related Elements¶

Examples¶

• Direct Instruction Patterning

Key Sources¶

• Mosley, Allen M. (1997). The Effectiveness of "Direct Instruction" on Reading Achievement. ERIC Document ED402553. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED402553