White Papers - National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) NIFDI white papers provide summaries of the literature related to Direct Instruction and analysis and commentary of contemporary issues in education.

]]> https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers.html Tue, 10 Jan 2017 10:24:52 -0800 en-GB hourly 1 Does the What Works Clearinghouse Really Work?: Investigations into Issues of Policy, Practice, and Transparency (January, 2017) https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1431-does-the-what-works-clearinghouse-really-work-investigations-into-issues-of-policy-practice-and-transparency.html Does the What Works Clearinghouse Really Work?: Investigations into Issues of Policy, Practice, and Transparency (January, 2017) This report reviews criticisms of What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) publications and policies, errors identified in their publications, and issues regarding the transparency and accountability of the WWC. The review is based on material obtained from a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted by the National Institute for Direct Instruction and subsequent appeals. With the information provided from the FOIA requests and appeals, and the publicly available information on the WWC, three conclusions appear clear: 1) The WWC suffers from a lack of transparency in their policies and guidelines, 2) the conclusions they create in their reports can be misleading, and 3) the reports are potentially damaging to program developers and ultimately the success of students. The validity and practicality of the WWC policies and reports are discussed.

]]> https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1431-does-the-what-works-clearinghouse-really-work-investigations-into-issues-of-policy-practice-and-transparency.html This report reviews criticisms of What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) publications and policies, errors identified in their publications, and issues regarding the transparency and accountability of the WWC. The review is based on material obtained from a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted by the National Institute for Direct Instruction and subsequent appeals. With the information provided from the FOIA requests and appeals, and the publicly available information on the WWC, three conclusions appear clear: 1) The WWC suffers from a lack of transparency in their policies and guidelines, 2) the conclusions they create in their reports can be misleading, and 3) the reports are potentially damaging to program developers and ultimately the success of students. The validity and practicality of the WWC policies and reports are discussed.

]]> ashlycupit@gmail.com (Ashly Cupit) White Papers Tue, 10 Jan 2017 10:24:52 -0800 Throwing the Baby Out with the Bathwater? The What Works Clearinghouse Criteria for Group Equivalence, Sep. 9, 2013 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1360-throwing-the-baby-out-with-the-bathwater-the-what-works-clearinghouse-criteria-for-group-equivalence-sep-9-2013.html Throwing the Baby Out with the Bathwater? The What Works Clearinghouse Criteria for Group Equivalence, Sep. 9, 2013 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1360-throwing-the-baby-out-with-the-bathwater-the-what-works-clearinghouse-criteria-for-group-equivalence-sep-9-2013.html ccox@nifdi.org (Christina Cox) White Papers Mon, 13 Jul 2015 16:13:08 -0700 Direct Instruction, Comprehensive School Reform, and Student Achievement, July 5, 2015 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1359-direct-instruction-comprehensive-school-reform-and-student-achievement-july-5-2015.html Direct Instruction, Comprehensive School Reform, and Student Achievement, July 5, 2015 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1359-direct-instruction-comprehensive-school-reform-and-student-achievement-july-5-2015.html ccox@nifdi.org (Christina Cox) White Papers Mon, 13 Jul 2015 16:03:28 -0700 The Ups and Downs of Whole School Reform: A Case Study of Success and Its Demise, April 11, 2009 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1358-the-ups-and-downs-of-whole-school-reform-a-case-study-of-success-and-its-demise-april-11-2009.html The Ups and Downs of Whole School Reform: A Case Study of Success and Its Demise, April 11, 2009 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1358-the-ups-and-downs-of-whole-school-reform-a-case-study-of-success-and-its-demise-april-11-2009.html ccox@nifdi.org (Christina Cox) White Papers Mon, 13 Jul 2015 16:02:13 -0700 A Summary of Concerns Regarding the What Works Clearinghouse, Sept. 4, 2012 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1357-a-summary-of-concerns-regarding-the-what-works-clearinghouse-sept-4-2012.html A Summary of Concerns Regarding the What Works Clearinghouse, Sept. 4, 2012 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1357-a-summary-of-concerns-regarding-the-what-works-clearinghouse-sept-4-2012.html ccox@nifdi.org (Christina Cox) White Papers Mon, 13 Jul 2015 16:00:21 -0700 The Potential Long-Term Economic and Health Impacts of Direct Instruction, May 22, 2015 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1356-the-potential-long-term-economic-and-health-impacts-of-direct-instruction-may-22-2015.html The Potential Long-Term Economic and Health Impacts of Direct Instruction, May 22, 2015 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1356-the-potential-long-term-economic-and-health-impacts-of-direct-instruction-may-22-2015.html ccox@nifdi.org (Christina Cox) White Papers Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:56:29 -0700 Summary of Literature Regarding the Effectiveness of Direct Instruction and Projections of Changes in Achievement, October 24, 2013 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1355-summary-of-literature-regarding-the-effectiveness-of-direct-instruction-and-projections-of-changes-in-achievement-october-24-2013.html Summary of Literature Regarding the Effectiveness of Direct Instruction and Projections of Changes in Achievement, October 24, 2013 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1355-summary-of-literature-regarding-the-effectiveness-of-direct-instruction-and-projections-of-changes-in-achievement-october-24-2013.html ccox@nifdi.org (Christina Cox) White Papers Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:55:07 -0700 Does the What Works Clearinghouse Work? (Sept. 2013) https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1354-does-the-what-works-clearinghouse-work-sept-2013.html Does the What Works Clearinghouse Work? (Sept. 2013) https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1354-does-the-what-works-clearinghouse-work-sept-2013.html ccox@nifdi.org (Christina Cox) White Papers Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:51:11 -0700 A Brief Summary of Research on Direct Instruction, January 2015 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1352-a-brief-summary-of-research-on-direct-instruction-january-2015.html A Brief Summary of Research on Direct Instruction, January 2015 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1352-a-brief-summary-of-research-on-direct-instruction-january-2015.html ccox@nifdi.org (Christina Cox) White Papers Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:48:49 -0700 Harmful Effects of Academic Early Education? A Look at the Claims and the Evidence, June 15, 2015 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1351-harmful-effects-of-academic-early-education-a-look-at-the-claims-and-the-evidence-june-15-2015.html Harmful Effects of Academic Early Education? A Look at the Claims and the Evidence, June 15, 2015 https://www.nifdi.org/docman/research/white-papers/1351-harmful-effects-of-academic-early-education-a-look-at-the-claims-and-the-evidence-june-15-2015.html ccox@nifdi.org (Christina Cox) White Papers Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:47:34 -0700