Thank you for joining us! See you next year, July 21-25, 2025!
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 Instructions 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.
See what you missed last year. View the 2024 Conference Brochure
pdf
here
.
We look forward to seeing you in Eugene in July!
Registration
The conference program is in development. Registration should open in late December. Click here to add your email address and receive a notification when registration opens.
Pricing (includes breakfast and lunch):
Institutes $1450
Conference $1395
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 Wayne Carnine 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's 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 a 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
2024 Conference Videos
Conference Opening presented by Casey Sovo.
Sho-Un Tanaka and Jackson Willis receive the Wayne Carnine Student Improvement Award.
Kate Walsh-Little receives the Siegfried Engelmann Excellence in Education Award.
Betsy Primm receives the Siegfried Engelmann Excellence in Education Award.
Zoe Anlezrk receives the Siegfried Engelmann Excellence in Education Award.
Hampstead Hills Academy receives the Wesley Becker Excellent School Award.
Dr. Sara Tarver is inducted into the Direct Instruction Hall of Fame.
Panel Discussion with Linda Carnine, Jerry Silbert, Geoff Colvin, and Doug Carnine.
Closing comments presented by Kurt Engelmann. View the accompanying PowerPoint pdf here .
| The Venue | Visitor Information |
|
Graduate Eugene 66 East 6th Avenue Eugene, OR 97401 541.342.2000 |
 |
