Exploring the Relation Between Teacher Factors and Student Growth in Early Writing

Abstract

Data from a small randomized control trial of teachers’ use of Data-Based Instruction (DBI) for early writing were analyzed to determine the influence of teacher knowledge, skills, and treatment fidelity on student Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) slope. Participants included 11 elementary grade teachers who delivered intensive intervention in early writing and their students ( n = 31), all identified as either at risk for or with disabilities that affect their writing. Teachers received professional development and ongoing coaching to support the implementation of DBI for improving their students’ early writing skills. Results from a multiple regression analysis suggest that teacher knowledge and skills in DBI was strongly related to student CBM slope in early writing ( p < .01) and a small but significant relation between fidelity of writing instruction and student CBM slope ( p < .01). Implications for instructional coaching and improving student writing progress are discussed.