Join us on December 8 at 1:00pm Pacific for an informative and practical session exploring Direct Instruction literacy programs. This webinar is especially helpful for those with little or no prior knowledge of authentic DI programs. You’ll gain insight into the intended audience for each program, including general and special education use, sequencing, and implementation schedules.

In this free webinar, you’ll:

• Learn what makes authentic Direct Instruction programs so effective and evidence-based.
• Discover how DI accelerates learning and closes achievement gaps.
• Understand which programs best fit your school’s goals and student populations.
• Find out how NIFDI provides ongoing support and training to ensure fidelity of implementation and lasting success.

You’ll also get answers to common questions such as:

• What are the differences between the various editions of Reading Mastery?
• How early can Corrective Reading be used?
• Is Corrective Reading always the best choice for older students?
• How does one decide between Corrective Math and Connecting Math Concepts?

And much more!

This session includes time for questions and answers. You can send your questions in advance to info@nifdi.org.

Register here!

For 30 years, the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) has partnered with schools worldwide to improve the lives of all students. Please help us make a difference by donating during this season of Thanksgiving.

Your donation can help support our work in schools like:

• A very rural tribal K-12 school in Minnesota. The staff serves 213 Native American students. In 2021-22, 88% of students were below or well below BIE English Language Proficiency Standards. The school has implemented DI as its core English Language Arts program and partnered with NIFDI to improve student performance for two years. They are beginning to show strong results, such as fewer upper-grade students placing in Corrective Reading as a result of early intervention.
• A suburban school in Louisiana with 614 PK-5 students. At this school, 71% of students scored below the proficient level for reading. NIFDI is partnering to support staff in an intervention model for identified students. Based on the first-year results, the implementation is expanding this year.

We are launching a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $10,000 to help schools like these implement Direct Instruction (DI) with fidelity. Your donation will support additional coaching and staff development, which are critical to students' success.

Please donate today and help make a difference in the lives of children! Click here if you would like to donate by check.

Due to a scheduling conflict, the dates for the 52nd National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes are July 20-24, 2026. We are happy to announce that you are able to secure your room for the conference week. The most comprehensive Direct Instruction training event will be held at the Graduate Hotel. The Graduate is located in downtown Eugene, steps away from restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options. 

Reservations can be made by calling 1.800.991.8903 and referring to booking code 92N or online by clicking here.

In the coming months, we will be releasing information on the conference, but we wanted to share this news now so you can start making your plans to be in Eugene July 20-24!

November 26, 2025, would have marked Siegfried “Zig” Engelmann’s 94th birthday. He passed in 2019 after an amazingly productive and full life. Zig was the creator of Direct Instruction (DI), beginning with his work in education in 1965. Zig devoted most of his life to bettering the lives of children by applying his theory of instruction to a set of instructional programs that are unparalleled in their efficacy with all learners, particularly learners at risk for failure. Prior to his passing, he had written over 100 instructional programs, 30 books, and hundreds of articles and papers.

NIFDI was founded by Zig to work with schools worldwide to implement Direct Instruction with a high level of fidelity. We are proud to continue his legacy of helping all students realize their highest potential with DI.

Our links to our favorite videos featuring Zig can be found by clicking here.