One of the features of a successful implementation of Direct Instruction (DI) is a common, clear set of routines, procedures, and expectations for student behaviors. This includes passing in halls, transitions within the classroom, work-check procedures, and other expectations that make classrooms (and, therefore, a school) run smoothly and consistently. This one-day training will provide a framework for the development of these procedures and information on how to teach these procedures systematically to students. Monitoring student compliance and motivating students to cooperate will also be addressed.
Through extensive hands-on activities, participants gain sufficient information and practice with the strategies during the session, which provides them with a strong foundation for implementing the strategies effectively in their classrooms after attending the session. Each participant develops their own behavior management “prevention plan” for their classroom during the session. Coaches who attend the session are provided with a follow-up form specific to the training – a specialized observational tool that allows them to provide targeted support to participants after they complete the training.
The National Institute for Direct Instruction is proud to sponsor a podcast series. Hosted by educator and parent Dr. Zach Groshell, the series features interviews with trainers, authors, researchers, and others who give their insights on various aspects of DI. Each podcast runs just over an hour.
Episode 1: What is Direct Instruction?
Guests: Kurt Engelmann and Bryan Wickman
Episode 2: What Was Project Follow Through?
Guests: Linda Carnine, Susie Andrist, and Jerry Silbert
Episode 3: How Effective is Direct Instruction?
Guest: Jean Stockard
Episode 4: What is Direct Instruction Mathematics?
Guests: Marcy Stein and Bernadette Kelly
Episode 5: How Has DI Impacted Reading Proficiency in Indigenous Communities?
Guest: Casey Sovo
Episode 6: What are the components of an effective DI implementation?
Guest: Tamara Bressi
Episode 7: How Can Higher Education Better Prepare Future Educators?
Guest: Kathy Madigan
Episode 8: How Does Fluency and Direct Instruction Improve Literacy Outcomes?
Guest: Dr. Jan Hasbrouck
Episode 9: How Does Direct Instruction Support Special Education?
Guests: Randi Saulter and Ann Baum
Episode 10: How Do Direct Instruction and Behavior Work Hand-in-Hand
Guest: Geoff Colvin
Episode 11: How Can Direct Instruction Strengthen an MTSS Framework?
Guests: Stephanie Stollar, Diane Kinder, and Marcy Stein
Episode 12: How Can Leaders Support Schoolwide Direct Instruction?
Guests: Bonnie Grossen and Kurt Englemann
Episode 13: How Are Educators Worldwide Using Direct Instruction?
Guests: Jessica Colleu Terradas and Jon Owen
Episode 14: What is the Baltimore Curriculum Project?
Guest: Laura Doherty
Sara was a longtime advocate for Direct Instruction. Her work as a researcher and teacher educator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison influenced the lives of hundreds of future educators. In 1985, she was central in the formation of the Wisconsin Association for Direct Instruction and helped facilitate the Wisconsin Direct Instruction conference for many years.
Click here for her full obituary. As you will read, she led a rich life and gave her all professionally. She was a fierce advocate for the right for children to be taught with effective instructional practices.
NIFDI has created this page and will continue to gather testimonials and tributes to Sara to place on this page as a lasting tribute to her work. Please send us any remembrances, tributes, links to, or copies of her work to info@nifdi.org.
Wisconsin Policy Institute, March 2001
pdf This report by Professor Mark Schug, retired Professor Richard Western, both from the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Sara Tarver from the Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have examined Direct Instruction in great detail.
Many teachers who try Direct Instruction become strong proponents of the DI approach. The subtitle of the study is "Wisconsin's Teacher-Led Insurgency" because teachers who used Direct Instruction in Wisconsin saw firsthand its positive effects on student learning and became strong advocates for DI and the driving force behind DI's use in the state.
Another important point raised is that implementing Direct Instruction can save school systems millions of dollars in SPED costs and costs of other support programs. As John Miller, President of the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, notes on the preliminary page of the report:
"it is much more efficient for Wisconsin taxpayers to have their money spent on reading programs that work, rather than wasting millions, if not hundreds of millions of dollars, annually on trendy school of education programs that have failed in the past, are failing in the present, and will fail in the future."
Although the report came out 22 years ago, it's as relevant today as it was then.
Myths and Truths about Direct Instruction, Effective School Practices, Winter, 1998
pdf In this paper , Sara addresses ten myths about Direct Instruction. It is a succinct response to misconceptions that people have about DI.
Workshops on Literacy
Over many years I have sought a multitude of topics to help me write papers on relevant journal papers. This material is a collection of research focused on literacy as a most important topic in mine and others interest.
Issues on Teaching Special Students
“A child has special educational needs if they have a learning problem or disability that make it more difficult for them to learn than most children their age. They may have problems with schoolwork, communication or behaviour.” (NiDirect Government Government Services, https://www.nidirect.gov.uk) For the range of articles, click here.
Various Education Journal Articles can be valuable in finding and assisting educational value. View the articles here.
Using Literacy Quotes Effectively
We want to be confident that we are employing valuable strategies in the teaching of our special children. Having good access to that resource also allows us to justify our teaching manner, and feel comfortable among other practitioners in our field. View this resource here.
Australian Literacy Quotes
An amount of theory and practice within the Australian literacy education system is collated. Being largely about a somewhat older phase of education in Australia (and a few NZ), it’s interesting in comparison of today’s with past issues. It also invites comparing concepts from Australia and those from the International. View here.
Behaviour Issues in Education
In working with student academic progress, behaviour can play a role in the success of some students.
It is a broad field, and this one addresses various issues, such as how teachers may address student behaviour with such fields as classroom rules, behaviour management strategies, assistance issues, how parents can help, and other domains. Of course, relevant teacher behaviour can aid student progress. View here.
Reading Recovery
Reading Recovery is a controversial beginning reading method. This addresses some of the various issues covered over the years.
Spelling Mastery
I’ve added a more specific spelling topic to my list. This one is specifically addressed at a Direct Instruction spelling sequence known as Spelling Mastery. It can be found here.
Additionally, a general, wider file on spelling research can be found here.
Earlier Literacy Articles by Kerry can be viewed here.
A Wide Range of Stuff can be found here.
Hot Literature Topics. Numerous articles I've found useful can be found here.
Memories of great researcher Barak Rosenshine (1930-2017)
He was an influential literacy researcher who I found very useful. View the document pdf here .
NAPLAN Issues
It may be of interest to look at some of the issues raised in the past on NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy). View here.
Issues in Education Research
Some of the issues relevant to individuals who are interested in evaluating whether research design can justify the conclusions. See the information here.
Writing role in literacy
What is the relationship between literacy and writing?
“Writing and literacy are skills that depend on each other for improvement. Writing practice offers a better understanding of language structure, which enhances literacy. Reading offers the exposure to linguistic understanding, a skill that improves our ability to communicate through our writing.”
"The Relationship Between Writing & Literacy." Study.com. September 7, 2016.
See my article here.
