Hampstead Hill Academy recently was given a 5-star rating by Maryland's Department of Education. This rating system takes into account student achievement on the state test, chronic absenteeism, curriculum and achievement by English language learners. Hampstead Hill Academy has been a part of the Baltimore Curriculum Project since 2002, implementing Direct Instruction as its core curriculum.

Wolfe Street Academy received a 4-star rating by the department and has been utilizing DI since 1998.

NIFDI sends congratulations to the staff and students of both schools. We are proud to continue to partner with Hampstead Hill and Wolfe Street Academy in their efforts to provide quality education to their students.

Education Next recently announced their top 10 blogs as determined by their readership. The top article, written by Robert Pondiscio in February, 2018 was Meta-Analysis Confirms Effectiveness of an Old School Approach: Direct Instruction. The article details the findings of Jean Stockard and Tim White's review of over five hundred articles, dissertations, and research studies on Direct Instruction. It documents a half-century of "strong positive results" for a curriculum regardless of school, setting, grade, student poverty status, race, and ethnicity, and across subjects and grades. To read Pondiscio's take on Direct Instruction and why it is the Rodney Dangerfield of education, click here.

An important feature of successful Direct Instruction implementations is to celebrate success--success of students, teachers and entire schools. For many years, there has been a tradition of recognizing excellence in education at the National DI Conference and this year is no exception. Individuals and schools that have made a significant difference in the educational performance of children will be recognized through the following awards:

• Siegfried Engelmann Excellence in Education Award
• Wes Becker Excellent School Award
• The Wayne Carnine Student Improvement Award

Please take this opportunity to identify and nominate a colleague and/or school that has made a difference. Nomination applications are short (1-2 pages) and are available on our website. Nominations are due in our office by May 3rd, so download the application packet today!