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Direct Instruction: A Practitioner’s Handbook

Direct Instruction: A Practitioner's Handbook

$30.00

25 in stock

Direct Instruction (DI) is a powerful instructional approach designed to ensure that students master critical skills and content required for more advanced learning. Although DI has existed since the late 1960s, there are many common misconceptions about the approach, its potential to enhance student learning, and the way its proper implementation facilitates students’ academic success. This book provides a systematic explanation of the Direct Instruction methodology and DI program design as it outlines a roadmap for teachers and school leaders on how to implement DI successfully. Divided into three main sections, the first section describes DI as a coherent and complete teaching-and-learning system that contrasts DI with lower case “di” or explicit instruction, which focuses on effective instructional delivery techniques. The second section provides a step-by-step guide to implementing DI. The third section is devoted to cautions about implementing DI. This section reinforces the notion that the physical possession of the DI curricula does not by itself lead to student success. Those who adopt DI need to ensure that it is implemented with fidelity for the benefit of their students, who are reliant on them to provide them with the means to achieve their academic potential so they may lead healthy, productive lives.

Author: Kurt Engelmann
Copyright: 2024
Format: Paperback

 

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.