Fidelity of Implementation for an Evidence-Based Enrichment Practice

Children with gifts and talents benefit from participation in programs grounded in research-based models. Implementation fidelity, however, is a potential moderator of intended benefits. The purpose of this study was to examine one teacher’s fidelity of implementation for Type III Enrichment, an evidence-based gifted education practice and component of Renzulli’s Enrichment Triad Model and Renzulli and Reis’s Schoolwide Enrichment Model. Findings indicated the gifted education teacher implemented Type III Enrichment with fidelity; she adhered to recommended structures and processes, which she skillfully implemented, and student participants were responsive and engaged in the learning process. Audience impact was adversely affected by duration of the one-semester program. In addition, findings indicated the teacher supplemented recommended processes and these supplemental activities influenced student engagement in positive ways.