Interventions
Item 32. Interventionists receive initial training and ongoing support
Recommendations
Fidelity of implementation is the delivery of instruction in the way in which it was designed to be delivered (Gresham, MacMillan, Boebe-Frankenberger, & Bocian, 2000). Fidelity of intervention implementation is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that students are receiving the most high quality intervention programming. Evidence-based interventions are often complex, and without ongoing fidelity checks, coupled with supportive feedback, it is difficult to implement these programs effectively and consistently. Additionally, for valid disability determination to occur, a diagnostic team needs to be able to determine that a student has received appropriate instruction in the general education classroom. Checking fidelity of intervention implementation is one way to accomplish this.
The first step in ensuring fidelity is to ensure that interventionists receive the appropriate training and support. This includes initial training in how the program is designed and delivered, in addition to ongoing support through coaching, observational feedback, or other professional development opportunities.
The following resources can be used to help ensure interventionists receive ongoing support in implementing intervention programs with a high degree of fidelity:
Other training ideas include:
- Regular coaching from a literacy specialist
- Structured peer observation with feedback
- Partnering with a neighboring school district to obtain training
- Create online training videos (e.g., youtube, vimeo, etc.) that interventionists can review periodically
Once staff has received appropriate training, the following resources can be used to help develop a system for ensuring fidelity of interventions: