We are pleased to announce that Dr. Carl Hendrick will be the featured keynote speaker at the National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes in Eugene, Oregon, on July 28, 2026.

Dr. Hendrick is an internationally recognized expert in the science of learning and instructional design. He is a professor at Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam and leads research projects that bridge cognitive science, educational psychology, and classroom practice. He recently wrote a posting on his Substack- 10 Rules for Designing Effective Instruction. He does an excellent job of summarizing the most important points Engelmann and Carnine make in their classic Theory of Instruction. It is both insightful and useful.

In the coming months, we will be releasing information on the conference, but we wanted to share this exciting news now so you can start making your plans to be in Eugene July 27-31!

Zach Groshell recently released another DI Podcast. This installment features interviews with educators Jon Owen in the United Kingdom and Jessica Colleu Terradas in Australia. They share their experience in implementing DI in a variety of settings. They both speak of the need for high-quality training, as well as the value of continued support, and how NIFDI has fit into fulfilling those needs.

Click here to access the interviews and hear what these two have to say about Direct Instruction, NIFDI, and their conference experiences.

Along with presenting and attending sessions at the National Direct Instruction conference this past July, Zach Groshell interviewed several attendees and presenters. He describes DI Voices as "a bite-sized interview series recorded live at the National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes...each mini-episode brings you candid, on-the-ground conversations with educators and experts who are making Direct Instruction work in real classrooms and schools."

Click here to access the full playlist of interviews and hear what people have to say about Direct Instruction, NIFDI, and their conference experiences.

The first presentation of the Silver Star School awards took place at the 51st National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes. The purpose of these awards is to recognize schools or networks that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to utilizing Direct Instruction programs with fidelity.

The 2025 awards went to the following schools:

• Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, Malden, MA
• Classical Charter Schools/Roger Bacon Academy, NC
• Baltimore Curriculum Project, Baltimore, MD

Each of them has achieved amazing results. Click here to see these long-time implementations recognized.