Date of Conferral
4-17-2024
Date of Award
April 2024
Degree
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
School
Education
Advisor
Dr. Claribel Torres-Lugo
Abstract
READ 180 was adopted by a school district in Southern Alabama (SDSA) in response to students’ low state reading and comprehension scores statewide. However, after years of implementation, it is unclear whether the READ 180 curriculum and the instructional practices characteristics of the READ 180 have been implemented with fidelity across district schools, specifically at middle schools. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore fidelity of implementation of READ 180 instructional practices used by middle school teachers in SDSA. The conceptual framework guiding the study is Carrol et al.’s implementation fidelity theory, which focused on the degree to which a program or intervention was implemented. Semistructured interviews, documents, and observations, were used to explore 10 teachers’ perceptions of READ 180 program, the implementation and fidelity of READ 180 strategies in the classroom, and the perceived strengths and barriers of READ 180. Open coding and inductive analyses were conducted with the data collected, and four themes were identified: (a) READ 180 is an adequate source to facilitate students’ comprehension skills; (b) there is an inconsistency of fidelity and delivery of instructional practices; (c) there is a lack of teacher and administration buy-in/support and professional development/training; and (d) proper implementation of instructional practices leads to positive results. A professional development workshop and a READ 180 implementation checklist were developed for training. The results may help stakeholders in education benefit from increasing their understanding of implementation fidelity. This may potentially create positive social change in schools and instruction in the SDSA by enhancing teachers’ delivery of instructional practices and students’ reading and academic abilities.
Recommended Citation
Easterly, Tommye Lorenda, "Middle School Teachers’ Perspectives on Fidelity Implementation of READ 180" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 15664.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/15664
