Instructional Conversation (IC)

36 Weeks Read full study

3rd Grade, 5th Grade

About the Intervention

Instructional Conversation (IC) is a pedagogical intervention that is part of the Center for Research on Excellence and Diversity in Education (CREDE) framework. The IC model uses small group discussions (3-7 students) lasting about 20 minutes with clear instructional goals. Teachers lead through topic control while students regulate their own speaking turns. The intervention integrates five CREDE standards: joint productive activity, language and literacy development, contextualization, teaching complex thinking, and teaching through instructional conversations. Teachers implement IC discussions 1-2 times weekly, averaging 30 minutes per session, across content areas including reading, science, math, social studies, and English language arts. The model is designed for all students, particularly English language learners, and requires teachers to complete a 100-hour professional development program before implementation.

Statistical Findings

Positive effect: on English language arts for all students

Positive effect: on English language arts for English language learners

Positive effect: on reading for English language learners

Positive effect: on science for English language learners

Positive effect: on social studies for English language learners

More Intervention Details

Focus Areas

English Learners

Programs & Services

General Education, English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

Delivery Methods

Face-to-Face

Disability Support

N/A

Target Groups

Student(s), Teachers/Instructional Teams

Citation

Boada, D., González Canché, M., Portes, P. R. & Whatley, M. E. (2018). Early Evaluation Findings from the Instructional Conversation Study: Culturally Responsive Teaching Outcomes for Diverse Learners in Elementary School (EJ1180090). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1180090.pdf.

Study Demographics

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Other Participant Characteristics

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Intervention Price Book

Personnel

Staff and instructors needed for implementation. Costs prorated by intervention time (FTE × salary × intervention hours ÷ annual school hours)

1 items /

N/A

FTE

Salary

Total

General Education Teachers

Full-time or part-time general education classroom teachers

FTE

Salary

$65,000

Total

N/A

Contracted Assistance

External services and consultants (cost not estimated)

Required

Professional Development/Training

Teacher training programs

Facilities & Building Equipment

Physical infrastructure and building-related costs

1 items /

N/A

qty

Facility type

Facilities

Facility rental and infrastructure costs

qty

Facility Type

classrooms

Cost estimates are based on the intervention’s implementation as described in the cited research study, including assumed quantities, student counts, and duration. Prices reflect average 2025 costs and may vary by region, provider, and year. School year assumptions: 180 days/year, 5 days/week, 6.64 hours/day, 90 days/semester.

Number of students 5

Cost per student N/A

Implementation duration

Unknown hours

Across 180 days

Total cost

N/A

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