The Reading League, a non-profit organization, recently released a landmark booklet titled The Science of Reading–a Defining Guide. They state their purpose in releasing this document as “Although the scientific evidence base for effective reading has existed for decades, the term 'the science of reading' has gained traction in the last few years, potentially leading to misunderstandings. As a result, we believe that a common definition is useful for the field.” We are hopeful this definition will set the baseline for what effective reading programs must include. Click here to download your copy.

Reading Mastery, from its inception in the 1960s and continuing now, 50 years later, has included all of the features identified as needed to teach literacy to all students. McGraw-Hill Education (MHE) has produced an excellent summary of how Reading Mastery Transformations aligns with the Science of Reading. The document details how the program addresses phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, word analysis, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension. Click here to download the document.

The Engelmann Foundation was created in 1997. The foundation is dedicated to continuing the legacy of Siegfried "Zig" Engelmann through the support, promotion, and development of educators around the world implementing Direct Instruction with their students.

Over the years, the foundation has distributed 112 grants totaling over $729,000. The Engelmann Foundation offers two grant opportunities: Conference Grants and General Grants. Conference Grants are tailored to provide funds to attend the annual National Direct Instruction Conference hosted by the National Institute for Direct Instruction in Eugene, Oregon, each July. General Grants are designed to support projects, training and development, implementation, and other similar endeavors that utilize Direct Instruction (DI) programs. Both grant application types operate on a twice-yearly schedule. The deadline for submitting grants for the current cycle is December 1st, with the second submission date falling on June 1.

Join the veteran trainer Tamara Bressi on February 2 and 3 for NIFDI’s popular academy–Enhanced Coaching and Facilitating Professional Development. This 2-day training at the Hotel Indigo Atlanta Airport equips building and district-level instructional coaches, peer coaches, lead teachers and mentor teachers with critical coaching and support skills.

With effective peer coaching, staff development, and strong leadership, teachers using Direct Instruction will improve dramatically, and students will progress further and faster than they ever have before.

Here is a sampling of topics that will be covered:

• Refining observational skills
• Facilitating rehearsal sessions
• Determining the appropriate intervention
• Facilitating Data Analysis Team meetings

A description and registration information are available here. You can also contact Bryan Wickman, NIFDI's Outreach Events Coordinator, at 1.877.485.1973 or by email at info@nifdi.org with questions or for more information.

Planning for the National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes has begun. We are excited to announce that John Wills Lloyd, Ph.D., will present the opening keynote in Eugene, Oregon, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Mr. Lloyd was a faculty member at the School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia. He received his Ph.D. in Special Education in 1976 from the University of Oregon. While at the U of O, he studied under Barbara Bateman and

spent a lot of time with Zig Engelmann. He credits them, among others, for giving him the foundation that understanding the needs of all learners, especially those with special needs, is critical for educators. He co-edits the journal Exceptional Children, the flagship publication of The Council for Exceptional Children. He is an excellent speaker and prolific writer. He publishes a newsletter, Special Education Today, which we encourage you to check out.

Other news about the conference is we will be holding pre-conference workshops on Monday, July 24, and the popular Direct Instruction Administrator Leadership Institute has been expanded to 5 days.

Plan now to be in Eugene July 24-29, 2023, for the National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes, where you will receive the most comprehensive training in Direct Instruction available!