National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI)

13/10/2026

Do you support students with dyslexia?

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! It’s an opportunity to highlight evidence-based instruction that makes a meaningful difference for students who struggle with reading.

Above all, students need to receive instruction at their instructional level every day. NIFDI provides an effective solution through a comprehensive Direct Instruction (DI) model that emphasizes teaching to mastery, helping students build the skills, confidence, and foundation they need for long-term success.

Did you know that Corrective Reading Decoding meets the requirements outlined by the Texas Education Agency (2024) for a research-based dyslexia intervention?

Here’s why it deserves a closer look:

-Systematic, explicit instruction: Corrective Reading provides carefully sequenced instruction in foundational reading skills, including phonics, decoding, and fluency.
-Teaching to mastery: Skills are taught, practiced, and reviewed so students can build accuracy and automaticity before moving forward.
-Building confidence through success: Clear explanations, guided practice, and frequent opportunities to respond help students experience success as they develop stronger reading skills.
-Evidence-based instruction: Research supports the use of explicit, systematic instruction in helping students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties develop essential reading skills.

Dr. Kathleen Madigan compiled a detailed alignment document explaining how Corrective Reading aligns with Texas’s dyslexia intervention requirements and the program’s instructional components.

💡 Learn more this Dyslexia Awareness Month! Read the full alignment document here:https://buff.ly/OBdRrpT

Ready to learn how NIFDI can support your school? Connect with us to discuss your students’ needs and explore how we can help: https://buff.ly/ibHyHx8

09/10/2026

Join us in January for a remote training session on the best-selling book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

Choose between two sessions: January 8th or January 16th.

This training is beneficial for anyone involved in teaching or supporting beginning readers, including teachers, tutors, homeschoolers, parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

Learn more and register at https://buff.ly/PZugVwu

07/10/2026

Data Forms for Corrective Reading Decoding 2027

A successful implementation of a Direct Instruction reading program depends on having the right data to guide instruction, monitor student progress, and make timely adjustments.

To support schools implementing the new Corrective Reading Decoding 2027 revision, NIFDI now provides free data forms including:

✔️ IW Percentage Charts
✔️ STS/CO Summaries
✔️ Mastery Test forms

For schools looking for comprehensive support with the new Corrective Reading Decoding 2027, NIFDI also provides full implementation support, including:

-Initial data analysis to identify student instructional needs
-Ongoing coaching to support effective program implementation for teachers or leaders
-Weekly student reviews to monitor progress and identify students who may need additional support or instructional adjustments
-Program training

Interested in implementing Corrective Reading Decoding 2027 with NIFDI support? Fill out our contact form to get started and learn how our implementation services can support your school: https://buff.ly/ibHyHx8

To learn more about Corrective Reading Decoding 2027, click here: https://buff.ly/ngjle3E

🔗 Visit our website to access the free Corrective Reading 2027 data resources and learn more about NIFDI implementation support: https://buff.ly/b3p9cS2

01/10/2026

Siegfried Engelmann and Direct Instruction are featured in the trailer for Season 2 of Emily Hanford’s Sold a Story!

The focus of Season 2 is the approach developed by Siegfried Engelmann, the founder of NIFDI. This is the same approach that NIFDI helps schools implement today.

🎥 Watch the trailer and see what’s coming in Season 2: Sold a Story 2: What Happened to Teaching: https://buff.ly/lEV3GRB

For more info on Direct Instruction head to our website: https://nifdi.org/

To connect with us to get more info how to achieve remarkable success with Direct Instruction for all children, fill out our contact form here: https://bit.ly/4nd1G7v

23/09/2026

“At first I was extremely hesitant because it looked different than programs I had used in the past...however after the outstanding training, ongoing collaboration, and exceptional coaching from Tara, our NIFDI coach, we came to appreciate just how unique and special this DI program is. The structured, explicit lessons, consistent routines, immediate corrective feedback...seeing the measurable growth in students, completely changed my perspective.”
— Tova Feifer, K–2 ELA Supervisor

Sometimes, a new approach can feel uncomfortable at first. Tova’s experience shows how strong training, NIFDI collaboration, and expert coaching can help educators understand the “why” behind Direct Instruction and see its impact in action.

After just 10 months of implementation, 88% of students in Reading Mastery groups reached on-level or above-level performance on their end-of-year DIBELS assessment. But for Tova, the numbers were only part of the story. She saw students becoming more confident, engaged, and successful readers, and teachers growing increasingly confident in their instruction.

🎥 Watch Tova’s full partner perspective to hear about her implementation experience, the role NIFDI training and coaching played in their success, and her advice for schools and districts beginning their own Direct Instruction journey: https://buff.ly/OJulSDX

“At first I was extremely hesitant because it looked different than...

21/09/2026

Only a few days left to register for this upcoming webinar!

Join us on September 24th to hear from Dr. Chandler on:
What Makes Spelling Instruction Effective? Lessons from Five Decades of Research and Real-World Implementation
🔗 REGISTER HERE: https://buff.ly/FsUA9rk

17/09/2026

Join us in the new year for remote trainings on the Spelling Mastery program!

Spelling Mastery is a six-level Direct Instruction series that teaches students dependable spelling skills by blending three approaches: the phonemic, whole-word, and morphemic.

Levels A-B (Grades 1-2) will run on January 13, and Levels C-F (Grades 3-6) will run on January 20th. Both trainings run from Noon to 3:00 pm PT.

Learn more and register at https://buff.ly/PC4oqdD

15/09/2026

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 Training:

Corrective Reading Decoding 2027 Levels B1 & B2
Friday, October 9
7:30 am-2:30 pm PST

Register Here: https://bit.ly/4xQ4Weo

Students who place into Decoding B1 or B2 have inconsistent reading skills and often guess at words rather than apply decoding strategies that will lead to the accurate reading of words.

Placement testing can help determine precisely which level of the program best matches each student’s current skills and instructional needs.

Corrective Reading Decoding B1 refines word-attack skills by teaching sounds and sound combinations, introducing new vocabulary, and promoting word discrimination. There is a strong emphasis on fluency-building and comprehension with daily reading of decodable connected text.

Corrective Reading Decoding B2 continues the instructional sequence of Level B1 with student practice in word-attack and spelling, vocabulary development, and daily practice of decodable connected text. Practice for rate and accuracy, and charting of daily fluency progress are features that help students recognize their progress and increase their motivation.

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.

09/09/2026

In his keynote, “10 Rules for Designing Effective Learning: Principles for Effective Learning,” Dr. Carl Hendrick explores key principles for effective learning and their connection to Direct Instruction. From carefully sequencing content and building on what students already know to reducing unnecessary cognitive demands and ensuring students develop the knowledge they need for future learning, these principles highlight why intentional instructional design matters.

As Dr. Hendrick puts it:

“You can’t connect the dots if you don’t have any dots.”

Direct Instruction provides students with those essential “dots”; the knowledge and skills they need to build understanding, make connections, and succeed with increasingly complex learning.

▶️ Watch the full keynote here: https://bit.ly/4xM3b1O

Opening Keynote at the 52nd National Direct Instruction Conference ...

07/09/2026

NIFDI is excited to be bringing you a new website experience! To ensure a smooth transition, NIFDI.org will be down for maintenance on Thursday, September 10th.