Principles of Effective Instruction and Their Alignment with CARS & STARS and CAMS & STAMS

Barak Rosenshine's article "Principles of Instruction" outlines 10 research-based principles that all teachers should know. These principles, derived from cognitive science, studies of master teachers, and research on learning supports, provide a framework for effective instruction. In this post, we'll explore these principles and examine how two comprehensive instructional programs, CARS & STARS and CAMS & STAMS, align with them.

Rosenshine's 10 principles of effective instruction are:

1. Begin lessons with a short review
2. Present new material in small steps with practise after each step
3. Ask many questions and check responses of all students
4. Provide models and worked examples
5. Guide student practise
6. Check for student understanding
7. Obtain a high success rate
8. Provide scaffolds for difficult tasks
9. Require and monitor independent practise
10. Engage students in weekly and monthly review

CARS (Comprehensive Assessment of Reading Strategies) and CAMS (Comprehensive Assessment of Mathematics Strategies) are assessment tools used to identify students' strengths and weaknesses in reading and maths. STARS (Strategies to Achieve Reading Success) and STAMS (Strategies to Achieve Mathematics Success) are the corresponding instructional components that provide comprehensive lessons to teach essential skills to all students at their appropriate year levels.

A closer look reveals that CARS & STARS and CAMS & STAMS align well with Rosenshine's principles:

1. Each STARS and STAMS lesson begins with a short review of prerequisite skills.
2. The programs break down reading and maths strategies into small, manageable steps with practise provided after each step.
3. The Focus and Extension materials provide opportunities for questioning and checking student understanding, and the programs include pre-tests, benchmarks, post-tests, and continuous progress monitoring.
4. STARS and STAMS provide clear models and examples for each strategy or skill taught.
5. The programs emphasise guided practise, with teachers working closely with students to apply new strategies and skills.
6. Built-in assessments and practise exercises facilitate regular checks for understanding.
7. The CARS assessment component helps teachers monitor student progress and ensure a high success rate.
8. Online versions of the programs offer hints and support for struggling students, serving as scaffolds for difficult tasks.
9. Each lesson includes independent practise to reinforce learned skills and strategies.
10. The programs are designed for consistent use over time, with opportunities for ongoing review and practise.

CARS & STARS and CAMS & STAMS are designed to be used with all students at their appropriate year levels, providing comprehensive instruction in reading and maths skills that align with research-based principles of effective teaching. The programs' structured approach, emphasis on modeling and guided practice, and focus on essential skills all reflect the principles of effective instruction outlined by Rosenshine.

As educators, it's crucial to evaluate the programs we use through the lens of research-based principles. By understanding how CARS & STARS and CAMS & STAMS incorporate these principles, we can make informed decisions about their use in our classrooms. The alignment between the programs and Rosenshine's principles is strengthened when teachers actively engage with the materials and use their professional judgement to adapt the lessons to their specific context and student needs.

Rosenshine's principles, along with a critical examination of instructional programs, provide a solid foundation for designing effective teaching practices. CARS & STARS and CAMS & STAMS offer a comprehensive approach to teaching essential skills that aligns well with these research-based strategies, supporting student learning and success.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​