This paper describes an instructional improvement approach which aims to assist educational systems to enhance their capabilities to plan and implement effective improvements in their basic skills programs, and illustrates how research on implementation and dissemination is used in the design and development of the approach. Four elements of the approach are detailed: (1) a 4-phase instructional improvement cycle, (2) a strategy for collaborative development and support of the improvement cycle in use, (3) an evaluation design for determining the effectiveness of the implemented approach, and (4) a staff development program designed to develop in staff the ability to use effectively all the elements of the approach. Remaining sections of the paper discuss the perspectives that helped shape the implementation process, note research used in designing the implementation and dissemination strategies, illustrate how elements of the approach reflect that research, and indicate the progress of the implementation and dissemination of that approach. References are provided. (FM)