Getting Explicit Instruction Right

TL;DR

This study evaluates the causal impact of explicit instruction on student test scores using a synthetic control method in Australia, finding significant and lasting performance improvements.

Contribution

It introduces a novel peer modeling approach to implement explicit instruction and assesses its effects on standardized test scores in a real-world setting.

Findings

Substantial performance gains in reading and numeracy

Persistent improvements over time

Effective peer modeling implementation

Abstract

There has been substantial public debate about the potentially deleterious effects of the long-run move to ``inquiry-based learning'' in which students are placed at the center of an educational journey and arrive at their own understanding of what is being taught. There have been numerous calls for a return to ``direct'' or ``explicit'' instruction. This paper focuses on identifying the causal effect of correctly implementing explicit instruction on student performance in standardized tests. We utilise a unique setting in Australia\textemdash a country in which all students in grades 3, 5, 7, and 9 undergo annual basic skills tests (``NAPLAN''). We use a synthetic control approach to study the effect of introducing Explicit Instruction in Charlestown South Public School\textemdash a median-performing school\textemdash on Year-3 and Year-5 NAPLAN scores in Reading and Numeracy. Importantly, this is achieved via peer modelling, with Charlestown teaching staff sitting-in during the classes of a high-performing explicit-instruction school. We find that the performance gains are substantial and persistent. JEL: I20, I21. Keywords: Education, Explicit Instruction, Pedagogy.