National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI)

31/08/2026

🗓️ Upcoming Remote Training:

Reading Mastery Signature Edition (RMSE) Grade 1 Reading
Friday, September 11
7:30 am-2:30 pm PST

Learn to effectively implement Reading Mastery Signature Edition Grade 1 Reading, which is the second level of the Reading Mastery series.

Participants will learn the technical delivery skills needed to support children as they learn and apply strategies for decoding difficult words, and as they increase fluency in passage reading and develop comprehension strategies.

Participants will also learn how RMSE Grade 1 develops basic reasoning skills such as making inferences, drawing conclusions, and working independently.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today and start the school year with the highest standard in DI training to make a lasting impact on your students.

Register Here: https://buff.ly/jxwmoPL

28/08/2026

In his latest LinkedIn article, NIFDI President Kurt Engelmann explores Dr. Geoff Colvin’s contributions to behavior management, his connection to Direct Instruction, and the significance of his recent induction into the Direct Instruction Hall of Fame: https://bit.ly/4xp9uIH

"I HIGHLY recommend watching Geoff Colvin’s acceptance speech for induction into the Direct Instruction Hall of Fame at the 52nd annual National Direct Instruction Conference, sponsored by the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI), available at https://bit.ly/4xkdg5X.

Geoff’s receipt of this honor is as unique as it is well deserved. In contrast to virtually all other DI Hall of Fame inductees, Geoff wasn’t involved in authoring the DI programs or implementing the DI approach. Instead, Geoff applied the principles of Direct Instruction design to behavior management and, in so doing, laid the foundation for what later became Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)."

To learn more about NIFDI and what it can offer, go to www.nifdi.org.

For more information on Geoff’s instructional approach to behavior, see: https://bit.ly/4zIiuKo.

Interested in how NIFDI partners with schools and trusts to build sustainable, high-impact Direct Instruction systems? Learn more by setting up a meeting with us! Fill out our contact form to get started: https://bit.ly/4kA3Ayo

24/08/2026

Closing Keynote: The Bias in Favor of Experienced Learners

We’re excited to share the closing keynote from the recent National Direct Instruction Conference. In this presentation, NIFDI President Kurt Engelmann explores a prevalent bias in education: the bias in favor of experienced learners.

"In this keynote, I address an iniquitous and highly prevalent bias in education – the bias in favor of experienced learners. Out of all of the different biases that can be found in our schools and colleges of education, this bias is perhaps the most detrimental to novice learners, many of whom come from at-risk backgrounds. Instruction in so many schools is oriented to those who already have a head start and are at least partially familiar with the content of the lessons they encounter. This practice boosts the confidence and self-concept of these students while the confidence and self-concept of less-experienced learners suffer. Labels attached to novice students’ aptitude, readiness, or other characteristics become self-fulfilling as novices do not receive instruction that matches their needs."- Dr. Kurt Engelmann

Watch the full video to hear Kurt discuss how Direct Instruction can help eliminate this bias and ensure that all learners receive instruction that matches their needs.

▶️ Watch the keynote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YqimQMb2FM

📖 Read Kurt’s full LinkedIn article here: https://lnkd.in/p/gWW7fCeM

Closing comments at the 52nd National Direct Instruction Conference...

18/08/2026

Join NIFDI for a FREE upcoming webinar with Dr. Brennan Chandler!

SEPTEMBER 24 @ 1:30 PM PT

Join us to hear from Dr. Chandler on:
What Makes Spelling Instruction Effective? Lessons from Five Decades of Research and Real-World Implementation

This webinar will explore the key features of effective spelling instruction and draw on findings from a comprehensive meta-analysis of spelling interventions. Participants will see how these research-supported practices appear within structured programs such as Spelling Mastery and learn about the results of a recent study in which parents implemented the program with their children. The session will connect research with practice while highlighting practical lessons about explicit instruction, program implementation, and supporting spelling development across school and home settings.

Featuring Dr. Brennan Chandler

Dr. Brennan Chandler is an Assistant Professor of Dyslexia at Georgia State University and coordinator of the graduate dyslexia endorsement program. His research on spelling intervention and multisyllabic word reading has appeared in Journal of Learning Disabilities, Learning Disability Quarterly, and The Reading League Journal, and has been featured in Education Week, Mashable, and K-12 Dive. He is the 2025 recipient of the John Wills Lloyd Outstanding Research Award and regularly partners with schools, districts, and organizations to bring evidence-based reading and writing instruction into practice.

🔗 REGISTER HERE: https://buff.ly/um5qMBO

We hope you'll join us for this webinar connecting research, effective instruction, and real-world implementation!

06/08/2026

The key to successful Direct Instruction implementation starts with high-quality professional learning. Whether you're new to DI or looking to strengthen your instructional delivery, NIFDI's remote training sessions provide the delivery skills, coaching, and feedback you need to help your students thrive.

🗓️ Upcoming Remote Trainings:

• August 25: Corrective Reading Decoding Levels B1 & B2
• August 27–28: Reading Mastery Signature Edition Grade K Reading
• September 11: Reading Mastery Signature Edition Grade 1 Reading

In every session, participants practice the critical presentation techniques that make Direct Instruction so effective—building confidence, increasing student engagement, and improving learning outcomes.

⭐ "If I could write every word that was said, I would. Everything is inspirational and informative." — NIFDI Training Participant

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today and start the school year with the highest standard in DI training to make a lasting impact on your students.

Register Here: https://www.nifdi.org/training-events/remote-trainings.html

04/08/2026

Each year at the NIFDI Conference, one of our most meaningful moments is recognizing the recipient of the Carnine–McRoberts Student Improvement Award. This award is named in memory of the parents of Doug and Linda Carnine. It is given to a student who has demonstrated remarkable academic success with DI.

This year, we were proud to celebrate Carli from Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) as a 2026 award recipient.

BCP created this incredible, heartfelt video capturing the moment Carli learns she has received the award, and it's one you won't want to miss. Her reaction is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact Direct Instruction can have on students: https://buff.ly/HTQvOoX

BCP has been a valued NIFDI partner for many years, and it was wonderful to welcome so many of their teachers and staff to this year's conference for training.

Congratulations, Carli—we're so proud of you! 🌟

What starts as an ordinary day quickly becomes an unforgettable mom...

31/07/2026

We're proud to share the voices of students from our partner, Athena Learning Trust, whose reflections speak to something every educator hopes to see: growing confidence.

These student quotes are a reminder of what's possible when Direct Instruction, including Corrective Reading, is implemented with fidelity and supported through high-quality training, coaching, and ongoing partnership.

Through our collaboration with Athena Learning Trust, NIFDI has provided:
• Remote mentoring for coaches and leadership
• Placement testing and pre-service training
• Dedicated implementation manager support
• Ongoing student data review and collaborative problem-solving

Together, we've worked to strengthen instructional capacity so educators can help students build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

We're honored to share the experiences of Athena's students and celebrate the impact of Direct Instruction.

Interested in how NIFDI partners with schools and trusts to build sustainable, high-impact Direct Instruction systems? Learn more by setting up a meeting with us! Fill out our contact form to get started: https://bit.ly/4kA3Ayo

27/07/2026

In the latest episode of Progressively Incorrect, Dr. Zach Groshell is joined by Dr. Anita Archer. Listen here:

Join Dr. Anita Archer in the Season 5 Finale as we explore effective teaching methods and vocabulary instruction for lasting student success.

22/07/2026

Today during our special Keynote, Ernesto Rodriguez shared a story that captured the life-changing impact of Direct Instruction, kindness, and the people who choose to believe in others.

Ernesto shared his powerful journey of how the Kindness Foundation and the opportunity to learn through Direct Instruction opened doors he never thought possible. While incarcerated, he used Corrective Reading to overcome academic barriers, and as his skills grew, he began helping others learn to read as well. His story is a powerful reminder that when evidence-based instruction is paired with kindness, lives can be transformed.

Teachers believed in him. They invested in him. They gave him the opportunity to develop the literacy skills that changed the trajectory of his life. Today, Ernesto is paying that gift forward by helping others discover the same opportunities through reading and learning through his organization, Kindful Restoration.

We'll be releasing the full video in the coming weeks, so be sure to follow us and stay tuned for this unforgettable story of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of Direct Instruction and kindness. ❤️