Tuesday, March 25, 2014

The Relationship of Integrity of Practice to Fidelity with Flexibility of Implementation

Educational programs and practices are to be implemented with integrity of practice to ensure favorable outcomes. As expressed by the World Customs Organization (n.d.), honesty, care, diligence, professionalism, and impartiality are essential for gaining the public trust. This is true in education to gain the trust of stakeholders as they entrust students’ education to the school. Fidelity of implementation is gained when integrity is at the forefront of all that is done in the process of managing students’ educational needs. I would introduce flexibility of implementation by explaining how it links to individualized instructional practices. Then I would provide training sessions to demonstrate how it should look. For example, the academic needs of each student are met when instruction is focused on their individual needs. Teachers need to learn how to structure their classrooms and programs to provide each student with the individualized instruction they require to make progress. Research suggests that adhering rigidly to a set of practices produces poor outcomes. Teachers need to focus on the unique environment and student population to maximize the outcomes of any program they are using (Kendall, Gosch, Furr, & Sood). A general guide can lead educators in the right direction for planning, documenting, and universal instruction. Kretlow, Cooke, and Wood (2011) explained that professional development programs are important in connecting the research to classroom implementation. Collaboration is needed to made decisions on the individual needs of students for reaching their potential. The suggestion was made that educators should engage in dialogue to find out what is working or not working (Laureate, Inc. 2013). Crocket, Billingsley, and Boscardin, (2012) suggested that periodically educators should have their implementation fidelity evaluated.
Kretlow, A., Cooke, N., & Wood, C. (2011). Using in-service and coaching to increase teachers' accurate use of research-based strategies. Remedial and Special Education, 348-361. doi:10.1177/0741932510395397
Kendall, P., Gosch, E., Furr, J., & Sood, E. (2008). Flexibility within fidelity. Evidence-Based Practice, 987-993. Retrieved from www.jaacap.com/

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013b). Integrity of practice [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Crockett, J. B., Billingsley, B. S., & Boscardin, M. L. (Eds.). (2012). Handbook of leadership and administration for special education. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

World Customs Organization (2012). World Customs Organization ntegrity. Retrieved November 4, 2013, from http://www.wcoomd.org/en/search.aspx?q=integrity

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