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Info@NIFDI.org

About

About NIFDI

The National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) was founded to help schools and districts get the most out of the Direct Instruction (DI) approach. We achieve this through three key methods: providing training and support, hosting open enrollment events, and supporting research on DI. 

Our Mission

NIFDI advances educational equity and excellence by providing sustained implementation support and capacity-building to ensure the effective use of Direct Instruction programs in schools and districts in the U.S. and beyond.

Our Vision

NIFDI envisions a world where all students, regardless of setting or circumstance, achieve high levels of academic success through well-implemented, research-validated Direct Instruction.

NIFDI has its roots in the University of Oregon Direct Instruction Follow Through model, which was conceived at the University of Illinois in the late 1960s and implemented in schools across the country from 1967 to 1995. 

NIFDI has extensive experience supporting Direct Instruction implementations across a wide range of settings. Since its formal creation in 1997, NIFDI has supported DI implementations in 22 states, the territory of Guam, Australia, and England. 

Board of Directors

View the NIFDI Board of Directors.
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Our Team

Get to know NIFDI's staff, consultants, and implementation managers.
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In Memoriam

Tributes to those in the DI community who have passed.
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Donate

NIFDI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donations help us continue our important work.
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Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about how NIFDI can help your students succeed? Email us at info@nifdi.org or fill out our contact form.

Which best describes your role?

Curriculum Decision Maker
School and District Leader

Interested in learning how to implement Direct Instruction in your district, school, or home? NIFDI can help. Click a button below to learn more. 

Leaders
Coaches
Teachers
Parents
What is a Peer Coach?

Peer coaches play a critical role in sustaining strong implementation of Direct Instruction (DI) at the school level. Selected during the first year of implementation, peer coaches are classroom teachers who demonstrate strong instructional practice, effective communication with colleagues, and a willingness to support others. Because they teach the same programs as their peers, they bring practical expertise and shared experience that help build trust and collaboration across the school.

As implementation progresses, peer coaches extend the impact of NIFDI consultants by providing ongoing, school-based support when consultants are not on-site. Their coaching is non-evaluative and focused on improving student outcomes. Peer coaches reinforce effective teaching practices and guide colleagues to make targeted adjustments that directly impact student performance and behavior.

Peer coaches participate in a structured, multi-year training sequence through NIFDI. Over the course of two to three years, they are trained to analyze student performance data, conduct both brief and extended classroom observations, and support data-driven problem solving. Advanced training prepares them to lead grade-level meetings and contribute to broader instructional planning with school leadership.

By developing peer coaches, schools build internal capacity to maintain and strengthen DI implementation over time—ensuring continuity, supporting new staff, and driving sustained student achievement.