Are you implementing Direct Instruction (DI) programs? Our Stand-Alone Coaching options bring high-impact support directly to your school—on your terms.
Whether you're looking for a single-day visit or consistent, long-term coaching, our expert team is ready to partner with your staff to drive measurable student success through DI.
Our coaching services are designed to improve student academic outcomes through increased instructor effectiveness, to boost student confidence, and to strengthen your DI implementation. During coaching visits, NIFDI coaches work with campuses through:
Every coaching session is designed to identify what’s working for students, what needs adjustment to optimize student performance, and identify which strategies will have the greatest impact on student learning. Coaches focus only on changes that move the needle—supporting instructors with the feedback and tools they need to improve student performance in the most efficient way possible.
Why It Works
Our coaches use classroom data and direct observations to guide feedback. This ensures all recommendations are:
Explore Our Flexible Coaching Options
Refer to the table below to find the package that fits your school's needs—whether it’s a one-time coaching day, targeted multi-day support, or an ongoing relationship. Each package includes a tailored mix of services like classroom observations, modeling, strategy sessions, and more. We offer in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats to match your school’s preferences and availability.
Who Benefits?
Ready to bring a NIFDI coach to your building?
Email info@nifdi.org or fill out the form below for more information and a free quote.
In the coming weeks, NIFDI will be offering a series of remote trainings focusing on literacy. In these highly focused webinars, you will learn, practice, and receive feedback on critical skills needed to successfully teach the programs. Each webinar is 6 hours. All sessions will be held from 7:30am-2:30pm Pacific time. Here is the lineup for February and March:
Corrective Reading Decoding Level A • February 21 or March 8
Reading Mastery Signature Edition (RMSE) Grade K Reading • March 7
Corrective Reading Decoding Levels B1 & B2 • February 28 or March 15
Reading Mastery Signature Edition (RMSE) Grade 1 Reading • March 14
These sessions will provide participants with a strong, fundamental understanding of the programs and their delivery. They are ideal for newer instructors or as a brush-up for more experienced individuals. Plan now to attend!
Jessica Colleu Terradas Interviews Kurt Engelmann About DI
Jessica Colleu Terradas Interviews Tamara Bressi
Celebrating 40 Years of Expressive Writing - Alisa Kerr Interviews Jerry Silbert
Celebrating 50 Years of Corrective Reading Decoding - Alisa Kerr Interviews Linda Carnine
To address several questions, Engelmann shares key graphics from his book, Direct Instruction: A Practitioner’s Handbook (2024), published by John Catt/Hodder Education. The book is available here.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Expressive Writing, NIFDI Partnership Liaison Alisa Kerr interviewed Expressive Writing co-author Jerry Silbert. In this exclusive conversation, Jerry shares insights into the key features that make Expressive Writing so impactful, his journey co-authoring the program, and what he wants every educator to know about its power in supporting student success.
This video includes visuals from the program, behind-the-scenes context, and classroom examples.
Did you know? Expressive Writing laid the foundation for the writing instruction used in the intermediate levels of Reading Mastery Signature Edition and Reading Mastery Transformations.
Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Corrective Reading Decoding with this special video featuring Linda Carnine, co-author of Corrective Reading Decoding. In this exclusive interview, Linda shares her reflections on the program’s development, her experience as a co-author, and the powerful features that continue to make Corrective Reading Decoding an effective solution for helping struggling students become successful readers. As we mark five decades of impact, this video highlights not only the history and purpose behind the program but also its lasting legacy in classrooms across the country. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or advocate for evidence-based literacy instruction, Linda’s insights offer valuable context and inspiration.
Most Direct Instruction programs are published by McGraw-Hill Education. You can find more information about these programs by visiting our program webpages or by viewing the current catalog.
Sopris West and the University of Oregon Bookstore also publish several DI programs, including REWARDS and Understanding US History.
Only a select group of published instructional materials meet the rigorous standards for true DI programs according to the Rubric for Identifying Authentic Direct Instruction Programs. The
pdf
Program Reference Chart
lists all of the Authentic Direct Instruction programs and gives summary information about each one.
To help you select appropriate programs, NIFDI has created the document pdf Using Direct Instruction to Close Performance Gaps: A Guide to Published DI Programs . The guide provides key information on critical aspects of the programs as the number of lessons contained in each level of the program, grouping guidelines, timetabling/scheduling requirements, and links to the publishers. NIFDI has also created informative video overviews of Direct Instruction programs for literacy and math.
The National Institute for Direct Instruction has developed a DI Materials Cost Worksheet to assist administrators and other decision-makers in determining the costs of program materials. Constructed as a Microsoft Excel document, simply enter the quantities for each title and component into the worksheet, and the total estimated cost is automatically calculated at the bottom of the sheet. This document is updated regularly to reflect current pricing from the publisher, but users need to verify actual pricing from the publisher or through their sales representative. NIFDI does not sell programs directly and recommends this worksheet as a tool for estimating only.
The Worksheet has been updated with 2025 pricing. The following DI programs are included in the list:
Because the DI programs are oriented toward students’ skill proficiency rather than their age or grade level, it is critical that teachers use the level of the DI programs that correspond to their students’ current skill level. You can determine which level of the program matches your students’ current instructional needs by administering the placement tests contained in all DI programs.
