The National Direct Instruction Conference was founded in 1974 by the Engelmann-Becker Corporation. Siegfried "Zig" Engelmann, Wes Becker, and other Direct Instruction authors wanted to create an event that would provide access to quality training for educators who otherwise might not receive training at all. That first year, 90 educators from mostly the Northwest gathered at Sheldon High School in Eugene. For the next several years, the conference continued to be housed in various high school buildings around Eugene. Attendance grew to about 200.
In 1981, two key events took place. The Association for Direct Instruction was founded, and the city of Eugene built a conference center adjacent to the Hilton Hotel in the downtown area. By moving the conference to a professional facility, the conference expanded from four to five days, and a greater variety of sessions were incorporated. Over the decades, attendance has reached as many as 750 participants literally from around the world.
In 2013, the Association for Direct Instruction ceased operations, and the 2014 National Direct Instruction Conference marked the first year of management by the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI). While this was a change in the sponsoring organization's name, the conference remained the same in many ways. Many of the presenters and sessions you have come to expect are featured every year.
The National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes is the largest and longest-running DI-specific training and remains true to its traditions—the most comprehensive offering of Direct Instruction training and information available—anywhere!
Click here to see the conference's highlights and what participants have to say.
We look forward to seeing you in Eugene in July!
Brochure and Registration
Registration for the 2025 conference is now closed. Stay tuned for information on next year's conference!
View the
pdf
brochure
for full session and institute descriptions.
2025 Conference Schedule
Monday, July 21
8:30–9:00 Registration
9:00–12:00 Preconference Sessions and Institutes begin
12:00–1:30 Lunch
1:30–4:00 Institutes and Preconference continue
Tuesday, July 22
7:30–8:30 Registration
8:30–9:40 Conference Opening & Keynote - Jan Hasbrouck
9:45–11:45 Sessions & Institutes
11:45–1:00 Lunch
1:00–4:00 Sessions & Institutes
5:00–7:30 DI Welcoming and Block Party
Wednesday, July 23
8:30–11:45 Sessions & Institutes
11:45–1:00 Lunch
1:00–4:00 Sessions & Institutes
Thursday, July 24
8:30–11:45 Sessions & Institutes
11:45–1:00 Lunch
1:00–4:00 Sessions & Institutes
4:30–6:30 Excellence in Education Awards and Silver Star School Celebration
Friday, July 25
8:30–9:00 Closing Comments
9:15–11:45 Sessions & Institutes
11:45–1:00 Lunch
1:00–4:00 Sessions & Institutes
Placement Testing Your Students in Preparation for Training
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU ARE REGISTERING FOR PROGRAM TRAINING: We strongly recommend that you administer DI placement tests to your students before registering for program training. For placement tests and instructions, click here.
Excellence in Education Awards
An important feature of successful Direct Instruction implementations is celebrating the success of students, teachers, and entire schools. Individuals and schools that have made a significant difference in the educational performance of children are recognized each year at the National Direct Instruction Conference through the following awards:
- Siegfried Engelmann Excellence in Education Award
- The Wesley Becker Excellent School Award
- The Carnine-McRoberts Student Improvement Award
Direct Instruction Coaching Institute
Whether you're an instructional coach, peer coach, or administrator responsible for improving student performance, one of the most critical roles in a successful Direct Instruction implementation is the coach. With good, careful coaching, teachers will become more skilled and proficient in teaching the DI programs, and students will excel with improved instruction. For more information, click here.
Administrator Leadership Institute: Effective Implementation of DI for All Students
A successful Direct Instruction (DI) implementation requires the active participation of a fully engaged administrative team. The role of these individuals is to ensure student achievement by setting up the implementation for success, providing ongoing support to teachers and paraprofessionals, monitoring the effectiveness of instruction, and solving implementation problems as they arise. This intensive five-day session offers a deeper understanding of the rationale for the comprehensive DI schoolwide model as it guides administrators through the practical and proven steps that promote student learning. For more information, click here.
Institute on Becoming an Effective DI Trainer
Has your district received training and on-site coaching support for implementing Direct Instruction (DI) and is now looking for ways of maintaining the implementation with a high level of fidelity? The Institute on "Becoming an Effective DI Trainer" can help your school or district expand its capacity for providing training and support to the DI implementation by developing on-site trainers. For more information, click here.
Cancellation Policy
2025 Conference Videos
“Direct Instruction is always going to be the most optimal way for getting kids to be accurate, automatic readers who can access meaning.”
At the opening for the 51st National Direct Instruction Conference, Dr. Jan Hasbrouck reminded us that fluency doesn’t happen all at once; it develops step by step. Direct Instruction remains the most effective approach to help students become accurate, automatic readers who truly understand what they read.
“Catch the crumbs, and the cookies will come.”
That was the powerful message from our Closing Keynote by Dr. Kurt Engelmann, NIFDI President, at this year’s annual National Direct Instruction Conference. Every detail of instruction—the “crumbs”—matters. When teachers, coaches, and leaders attend to those details with consistency, the “cookies” come: confident students, positive outcomes, and long-term success. From classroom techniques to leadership practices, the keynote reminded us that Direct Instruction works because it builds on the small details that lead to big results.
| The Venue | Visitor Information |
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Graduate Eugene 66 East 6th Avenue Eugene, OR 97401 541.342.2000 |
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