The first presentation of the Silver Star School awards took place at the 51st National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes. The purpose of these awards is to recognize schools or networks that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to utilizing Direct Instruction programs with fidelity.

The 2025 awards went to the following schools:

• Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, Malden, MA
• Classical Charter Schools/Roger Bacon Academy, NC
• Baltimore Curriculum Project, Baltimore, MD

Each of them has achieved amazing results. Click here to see these long-time implementations recognized.

Effective training is critical to the successful implementation of Direct Instruction (DI). Each year, we partner with thousands of instructors to build student success. We can partner with you, too! In our highly-focused remote training, you will learn, practice, and receive feedback on critical skills needed to successfully teach the programs.

Click on the links below for a complete description and to register for these interactive and effective trainings.

Corrective Reading Decoding Level A

Friday, October 10, 7:30am - 2:30pm PT

Reading Mastery Signature Edition Grade K Reading 

Friday, October 10 and Thursday, October 16, 7:30am - 2:30pm PT

*Due to the amount of material covered in this session, it is a two-day training.

Corrective Reading Decoding Levels B1 and B2

Friday, October 17, 7:30am - 2:30pm PT

Reading Mastery Signature Edition Grade 1 Reading

Friday, October 24, 7:30am - 2:30pm PT

Direct Instruction Spoken English

Friday, October 31, 7:30am - 2:30pm PT

DISTAR Arithmetic 1

Friday, November 7, 7:30am - 2:30pm PT

Connecting Math Concepts: Comprehensive Edition Level B

Friday, November 14, 7:30am - 2:30pm PT

The Road to Success – Routines and Expectations

Friday, November 21, 7:30am - 2:30pm PT

The 51st National Direct Instruction Conference and Institutes was held in Eugene, Oregon, July 21-25, 2025. Opening speaker Jan Hasbrouck presented "Triple A Framework and Direct Instruction: Success for EVERY Student.” Jan reminded attendees that fluency doesn't happen all at once, it develops step-by-step. She went on to say, "Direct Instruction is always going to be the most optimal way for getting kids to be accurate, automatic readers who can access meaning.”

On July 25, NIFDI President Kurt Engelmann presented his closing remarks. His interesting presentation was titled "Catch the Crumbs and the Cookies Will Come." Kurt detailed how every detail–the "crumbs"–matters. When instructors, coaches, and leaders attend to the details of teaching Direct Instruction programs consistently, the "cookies" come: confident students, positive outcomes, and long-term success.

Click here to view these informative keynote presentations.

Join veteran trainer Beverly Trent on November 13 & 14 for NIFDI's popular academy–Analyzing Data, Classroom Observations & Providing Feedback. This two-day training at the Cambria Hotel, Orlando Airport, is designed for instructional coaches, peer coaches, and others responsible for observing instruction and improving student performance.

Through demonstrations, practice, and hands-on activities, participants will learn how to:

• Gain meaningful information from lesson progress and in-program mastery data.
• Model how to improve written records.
• Conduct supportive classroom observations and demonstrations aimed at increasing student success.
• Provide effective oral and written feedback to instructors to directly impact student performance.
• Conduct classroom demonstrations, in-class coaching, and team teaching.
• Design and deliver effective, ongoing professional development sessions.

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