EUGENE, OREGON (Apr. 5, 2011) Nigel Scullion, Senator for the Northern Territory of Australia, visited the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) today. Senator Scullion met with Dr. Kurt Engelmann, President of NIFDI, and Owen Engelmann, Director of Curricular Resources, to discuss the Direct Instruction (DI) curricula and NIFDI’s support services that ensure a successful implementation of the full immersion model of DI. NIFDI currently works with several schools in Australia, including four sites in Queensland: Aurukun, Coen, Djarragun and Hope Vale schools.

The Senator has visited Aurukun and noted the exceptional results the school is experiencing in the early stages of implementation there. “That’s the kind of system we want [in Aurukun]. The system is working, and the results are far better…If we want to change education in Australia, there has to be a change in our educational system like this. I see the model that is being used in Aurukun as a model that works and continues to engage.”

Senator Scullion continued his travels through Oregon Friday. Upon his return to Australia, he plans to remain focused on improving the state of education in Australia by promoting effective practices, including DI. “There have been a huge amount of positive outcomes from the students in the Queensland system from DI,” Senator Scullion says. “No doubt people in other places around the world will say that this is a fascinating and effective program we should invest in.”

NIFDI is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive support for schools implementing DI. To learn more about Direct Instruction or NIFDI, visit www.nifdi.org.