Supporting fidelity of implementation: Evidence from pathways-to-success replications.

Authors

Daphna Oyserman, Alysia Burbidge, Yahan Huang, Nicholas Sorensen

Published in

School psychology (Washington, D.C.). Oct 26, 2026. Epub Oct 26, 2026.

Abstract

Research shows that when teachers implement Pathways-to-Success with fidelity, their students experience more identity-based motivation and hence better academic trajectories. Teachers receive implementation support. We asked if, with this support, first-time implementing teachers can attain fidelity across time, training, and variations in school contexts across four states, 10 years, and 8,456 students (N = 122 schools trained, 116 of these implemented Pathways-to-Success, n = 92 schools with video-based fidelity data). We review the implementation fidelity literature, distinguish fidelity from implementation support and institutional climate, operationalize our state-of-the-art fidelity assessment and the supports we provided, describe results, and implications for scaling. Results reveal first that, on average, first-time implementing teachers implemented with above-threshold fidelity. Second, across years, teachers engaged with training, preparation, and delivery aids despite planned variability in teacher-trainers and teacher-training method (in-person, virtual) and natural variation in school climate, urbanicity, classroom size, and student features (English learner, free or reduced-priced lunch, standardized test proficiency, racial-ethnic composition). Third, implementation support matters. Continuous fidelity evaluation makes dynamic investment in implementation support possible; implying that scaling and sustainability require ongoing rather than proof-of-concept initial fidelity assessment. At the same time, new tools are required to contain costs. We are exploring use of artificial intelligence-based fidelity coding to address this issue. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:
42932830
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 27 Oct 2026.

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