NIFDI sends congratulations to Bancroft-Rosalie School, in Bancroft, Nebraska, for their 2015 Blue Ribbon School Recognition as an Exemplary High Performing School by the US Department of Education (USDOE). Additional congratulations to Superintendent/Principal Dr. Jon Cerny, 2015 recipient of the Terrell Bell Award for Outstanding Leadership.

Bancroft-Rosalie school has been utilizing Reading Mastery, Connecting Math Concepts and Spelling Mastery as their Core Academic curriculum for over 9 years. They began their implementation by partnering with NIFDI for implementation assistance. Over a five year period of training and support provided by NIFDI, internal capacity was developed and they now have had a self-sustained DI implementation for 4 years. Dr. Cerny credits the strong foundation built in the early years, coupled with consistency in personnel and keeping a strong team together as major ingredients in the success their students experience. He notes that, "...the DI curriculum allows us to accelerate our students, both the ones that are behind and the ones that are ready to move faster."

Dr. Cerny has been with the district for 23 years and is a strong instructional leader. He speaks proudly of the success his teachers and students are experiencing through DI. The USDOE website states, "[Recipients of the Terrell H. Bell Award] are principals who do whatever it takes to help their students meet high standards and are committed to the notion that in educating America's children, failure is no option." Only a handful of principals, nominated by their school staff, are selected for recognition each year.

Please join us in wishing this model school ongoing success! 

Proponents of DI often request programs in content areas such as science and social studies to use with their students. Academic Core, published by NIFDI Press, has been designed as a supplement to help teach students important science facts and information.

Academic Core is a highly structured four-level program that ensures mastery of sophisticated information. Lessons are short... 15-20 minutes. The program includes a reward system to motivate and reinforce students. Level A has been available for purchase for some time, now Level B is available. Units in level B include: geological eras and dinosaurs, measurement of volume, pressure, muscles of the human body, units of speed, density, circulatory system, the nervous system and water cycles.

Academic Core is available exclusively through NIFDI for only $129.00 plus shipping and handling. Help your students master fundamental concepts in science! Learn more or purchase Academic Core Level B here. 

Long-time Direct Instruction leader Dr. Thaddeus Lott passed away on October 22. Dr. Lott is best known for his role as principal of Mabel B. Wesley Elementary School, a title I school in a predominantly black neighborhood in Houston, Texas. As principal at Wesley, Lott introduced Direct Instruction and in a very short time brought student test performance in 3rd and 5th grades up to the top quarter of Houston Independent School District (HISD) schools. He made certain his staff was well-trained and supervised in DI programs and, as a result, gained national attention for the success of students who would not typically perform at such a high level. In 1994 HISD established Wesley

and two other neighborhood schools as a charter school coalition, with Lott as project director. This coalition became the first cooperative charter school management organization in Texas and among the first in the nation. After leaving HISD, Lott continued to assist other schools in implementing Direct Instruction. Former HISD Superintendent and US Secretary of Education wrote, "His example would be instructive in today's era of school reform, which too often seeks bells and whistles when sometimes the basics - under strict guidance - is the better recourse." NIFDI extends condolences to his family and associates. The full obituary in the Houston Chronicle can be read here. 

For nearly 20 years, the National Institute for Direct Instruction has supported schools' efforts to give students the best opportunity for success and develop teachers' skills to utilize the finest tools for ensuring that success. 

With the end of the year coming, we would like to remind you that donations to NIFDI are tax-deductible. By making your charitable donation to NIFDI, a 501 (c(3)) non-profit organization, you can help us impact the lives of more children.

You can even select the program area(s) you want your donation to support:

1. Research - Conducting, promoting and disseminating research on Direct Instruction and its implementation.
2. Training and Coaching - Providing on-site training and coaching to schools, as well as open-registration training events.
3. Educational Outreach - Offering videos, articles and other tools and materials to promote the effective use of Direct Instruction.

Donate online or pdf download the donation form  and return it to our offices. If you have questions about donating to NIFDI, contact Bryan Wickman at 877.485.1973 or bwickman@nifdi.org.

Thank you for your consideration and support!