Latest News in DI

877.485.1973 | 541.485.1973
Info@NIFDI.org

877.485.1973 | Info@NIFDI.org

News from NIFDI

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cropped LOGO FINAL 3 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 past 20 years the foundation has distributed 56 grants totaling over $325,000. Recently the Board of Directors made the decision to become more visible, and has launched a new website at https://engelmannfoundation.org/.

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 deadlines for submitting grants are 5:00pm PDT June 1st and December 1st. Note that while grant applications are accepted on an on-going basis, applications will be held for consideration until the next grant cycle deadline.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Project Follow Through, the University of Oregon's College of Education will host a panel of renowned experts to discuss the 50-year culture of research in the college. The panel will discuss the research history that was born from Project Follow Through, its impact on educational pedagogy, its national and international reach, and its impact on the face of education overall. This event is intended to shine a light on the lasting legacy initiated by Project Follow Through and advanced via the Direct Instruction model and its numerous influences over the course of its 50-year journey. The event will trace some of education's most renowned and well-honored products, projects, practices, and people back fifty years to the arrival of a cohort of dedicated faculty and practitioners whose vision persists to this day. The influence, and impact of Direct Instruction on current an ongoing education will be explored, celebrated, and honored.

The event will be held November 7th at the Erb Memorial Union (EMU)-Ballroom, 1395 University St, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403. There is a panel discussion from 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm with reception following.

Over 200 educators gathered in Eugene, Oregon, July 23-27 for the 45th National Direct Instruction Conference. This year the conference celebrated 50 years since the first Direct Instruction programs were published. There was a display of some of the earliest DISTAR Reading, Language and Arithmetic kits. Attendees were also treated to an opening keynote given by veteran DI consultant Carolyn Schneider. Carolyn highlighted the history of DI and the impact it has made over the years. Click here to watch Carolyn's keynote.

The 2019 Excellence in Education Awards were presented at the conference opening. There were 6 recipients of the Siegfried Engelmann Excellence in Education Award. They were:

Kathy Bremer, a teacher from Titusville, Florida
Christine Martin, a resource specialist from Livingston, California
Brenda Kahn, an instructional coach at Frederick Elementary in Baltimore, Maryland
Marvelyn Johnson, an instructional coach at Frederick Elementary in Baltimore, Maryland
Jenae Toulson, an instructional coach at City Springs Elementary in Baltimore, Maryland
Stacey Hicks, an instructional coach at City Springs Elementary in Baltimore, Maryland

The Wayne Carnine Student Improvement award was given to Malachi Howard, a student in Portland, Oregon.

Click here to view the presentation of the awards.

Participants at the conference also enjoyed the DI Block Party, held the evening of July 24th. Sponsored by McGraw-Hill Education, the party featured hamburgers, hotdogs and all the traditional fixings. There were many games, including a very popular giant jenga game on the patio. Attendees also enjoyed sharing their karaoke skills with the rest of the crowd. The Block Party has become one of the most popular features of the conference, along with the excellent training.

Kurt Engelmann, President of NIFDI, gave the closing keynote, titled Are the Reading Wars Over? He highlighted a recent literacy leadership brief released by the International Literacy Association. In a major shift in its stance related to teaching beginning reading, the organization is now endorsing the use of explicit and systematic phonics. Click here to download a copy of the ILA paper. To view Kurt's closing, click here.

Start making your plans now to join us in Eugene July 27-31, 2020 for the 46th National Direct Instruction Conference!

We are sorry to announce that two longtime Direct Instruction teachers, trainers and consultants have recently passed away.

Brenda Kahn, an instructional coach at City Springs Elementary in Baltimore, Maryland died June 19. Along with her school-year job, Brenda was very popular trainer at Direct Instruction conferences for many years. Laura Doherty, President of the Baltimore Curriculum Project noted that Brenda very much looked forward to coming to Eugene each year to train at the DI conference. Her training impacted the lives of thousands of students and will be greatly missed. Her obituary can be accessed here.

We also received word that Susan Borden passed away on August 23 in Toronto. Susan worked with NIFDI for several years as an implementation manager. NIFDI President Kurt Engelmann commented, "She was an Implementation Manager extraordinaire." He also noted her love of fine dining, which was a great benefit to those she worked with on consulting assignments. Click here for her complete obituary.