Explicit Instruction

When lessons are taught in a clear, structured, and intentional way, every student has a better shot at success. Explicit Instruction is one of the most research-supported approaches in education—and one of our most requested trainings—because it works. It works for struggling learners. It works across grade levels and content areas. And when it’s implemented consistently, it builds the kind of student confidence, independence, and mastery that lasts long after graduation.

At Compass, we help educators bring Explicit Instruction to life in their classrooms. Not in the form of a script, but as a flexible, powerful framework for reaching every learner.

1

Explicit Instruction: The Basics

Introduces the core elements of Explicit Instruction, including modeling, guided practice, and structured skill development, giving educators a shared foundation to build from.

2

Critical Content and Chunking

Helps educators identify what truly matters most in a lesson and how to turn complex content into clear, sequential steps that students can follow and internalize.

3

Lesson Design (Gradual Release)

Explores how to structure lessons using the gradual release model. This helps educators move purposefully from teacher-led instruction to collaborative work to independent study practice.

4

Classroom Organization for Explicit Instruction

Looks at the physical and instructional routines that create a structured, focused environment. Because how a classroom is set up shapes how well Explicit Instruction can take root.

5

Frequent Student Responses and Monitoring

Teaches educators how to use engagement and monitoring techniques to check for understanding in real time, prevent learning gaps, and keep every student actively involved.

6

Feedback

Explores what effective, meaningful feedback looks like—including how to use praise, encouragement, and correction in ways that reinforce learning and build student confidence.

7

Pacing and Practice

Focuses on the power of a brisk, intentional pace to maintain engagement and prevent behavior issues, plus how to match the right type of practice to the skill for maximum retention.

Explicit Instruction training is built for educators at every grade level and in every content area. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, an interventionist, or an administrator, there’s something in this training that will sharpen your practice.
Absolutely. Administrators who participate develop a deeper understanding of what high-quality instruction looks like. This makes them better equipped to provide focused feedback, support teacher growth, and build a consistent culture of strong teaching across their school.
That’s up to you. Training can be customized anywhere from a focused two-hour session to a comprehensive two-day experience—giving your team the time and space to explore, practice, and apply what they’re learning at a pace that works for them.
The modules can be delivered in any order to meet your school’s needs, but we recommend starting with The Basics and then moving through Critical Content, Classroom Organization, Lesson Design, Eliciting Student Responses, Monitoring Learning, Feedback, and Pacing and Practice for the most coherent progression. Completing all modules gives educators the fullest picture and the strongest foundation for implementation.
Not required. Our training staff is fully self-contained and can be delivered effectively without it. That said, if your team wants to go even deeper into the research and real-world examples behind the practices, the book is a great companion resource.

Explicit Instruction