Review
"Before EDI, our school was a ship adrift at sea with everyone rowing in different directions. EDI has provided us with a framework for instruction and a common language that allowed us to all row in the same direction. By doing so, we exited program improvement within the first two years of implementation, after having been in sanctions for the previous ten years. Additionally, using the framework and common language of EDI we were named a 2015 honor roll school by the Educational Results Partnership."--Benjamin Luis, Principal
"EDI is a difference maker for all students. High achievers are given the opportunity to explore the curriculum in depth and at the highest level. Challenged students are provided scaffolds and support so they can access what is being taught."--Allan Waterman, Retired Principal
"EDI keeps students engaged throughout the lesson! It gives students the opportunity to speak and listen to each other during the lesson. Students discuss vocabulary and read aloud during EDI which gives them practice in Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Writing. Students do all the work during a lesson! Pair-Share is a great strategy to help English Learners with speaking and practicing the vocabulary!"--Yvette Mezzanatto, 5th Grade Teacher
"EDI makes students accountable. They see now that school is a place to work and learn and play, and they love it. Because even though it is hard, they are doing well."--Trudy Cox, School Instructional Coach
"EDI totally transformed my teaching of both children and adults. It is research-based, easy to use, and rewarding for both the teacher and the students. Most importantly, it works!"--Dr. Christopher J. Quinn, Associate Professor Emeritus, School of Education
"EDI training has helped our teachers develop lessons that are more rigorous and engaging for our English Language Learners."--Fidelina Saso, Assistant Superintendent
"Fast-paced, interactive, and highly useful! Thanks!"--Tami Francis, Vice Principal
"Gansevoort was one of the first schools in our district to get off the focus list. I attribute a lot of that to the EDI strategies."--Kathy A. Bragan, Director of Support Services
"I flagged page after page. I had been a classroom teacher for ten years and was unaware of many of the EDI strategies.--Peter Whitmore, Collaborative Coach
"I would like all teachers in our district to be exposed to DataWORKS. Only then will there be systemic change for our students."
--Gloria Evosevich, Principal
"Once teachers experienced EDI, they saw the value. Many teachers have told me they can't remember how they taught before."--Dr. Wesley Severs, Principal
"One of our specialties is research on instruction and training. In both K-12 education and in higher education, we find that the features of the DataWORKS program fit all of the research that we think is the best evidence right now. You owe it to yourself and to your students to at least give it a try."--Dr. Richard Clark, Director of the Center for Cognitive Technology
"Students in an EDI classroom share the teaching responsibilities. They eagerly participate during Pair-Share and remind the teacher if s/he has forgotten "their time." It is a very non-threatening environment and students are prepared for success."
--Katey Hoehn, Retired K-8 Administrator
"Thank you for giving us real strategies that I can take to my classroom and use right away!"--Darla MacDonald, 2nd Grade Teacher
"This was so practical, informative, and inspiring! I loved the modeling and being able to see how to do this kind of teaching. So much to love!"--Brielyn Flones, 8th Grade ELD Teacher
"What is the best way to teach students? The answer is Explicit Direct Instruction. I am a retired principal, director, and adjunct professor in California. I have been using the model of EDI published by DataWORKS for the past 10 years. I have taught it to teachers and future administrators. I have also used it in teaching my own adult students."--Alice Rodriguez, Ed.D.
"EDI and the DataWORKS model of school improvement made a dramatic impact on classroom instruction in the schools of South Carolina. The delivery of instruction using this program provided clarity and a focus in addressing state standards and the learning environment in classrooms."
--Danny Shaw, Past President
About the Author
John Hollingsworth is president of DataWORKS Educational Research, a company originally created to use real data to improve student achievement. Although DataWORKS started by analyzing learning outcomes (test scores), it soon refocused towards analyzing learning inputs (classroom instructional practices). DataWORKS now focuses mainly on providing staff development to schools on classroom instruction. John is an active researcher and presenter and has published numerous articles in educational publications. He spends much of his time on the road training teachers.
Dr. Silvia Ybarra, Ed.D., began her career in education as a physics and chemistry teacher at Roosevelt High School in Fresno, California. Next, Silvia became principal of Wilson Middle School in Exeter, California, which under her leadership became a prestigious Distinguished School. Silvia was then named assistant superintendent of Coalinga-Huron School District. Her focus progressed from helping one classroom to helping one school to helping an entire district. Silvia is the head researcher at DataWORKS.
