https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/direct-instruction Direct Instruction en-US 2021 (c) Education Week Fri, 16 Oct 2026 04:01:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/direct-instruction-what-to-know-about-the-topic-of-the-next-sold-a-story-podcast/2026/10 The Direct Instruction program and explicit instruction are in the spotlight again. What are they? Fri, 16 Oct 2026 04:01:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/direct-instruction-what-to-know-about-the-topic-of-the-next-sold-a-story-podcast/2026/10 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/when-older-students-cant-read-how-this-middle-school-is-tackling-literacy/2025/11 Structured literacy classes at a New Hampshire middle school have helped some students crack the code. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:01:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/when-older-students-cant-read-how-this-middle-school-is-tackling-literacy/2025/11 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/one-fourth-of-k-12-math-instruction-occurs-digitally-survey-suggests/2019/03 Print is still popular, and math teachers still want time for direct instruction and group work, according to market-intelligence firm Simba Information. Wed, 06 Mar 2019 17:40:34 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/one-fourth-of-k-12-math-instruction-occurs-digitally-survey-suggests/2019/03 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/opinion-why-does-teacher-talk-still-dominate-high-school-classrooms/2017/05 Teacher talk still dominates high school classrooms, but it doesn't have to, and here are a few reasons why. Wed, 17 May 2017 11:00:24 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/opinion-why-does-teacher-talk-still-dominate-high-school-classrooms/2017/05 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/opinion-the-human-proof-classroom/2015/07 I am a big believer in having a teacher toolbox chock full of many and varied tools. But some approaches simply don't belong in a classroom. Wed, 22 Jul 2015 20:09:03 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/opinion-the-human-proof-classroom/2015/07 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/study-struggling-math-students-need-direct-instruction-not-fun-activities/2014/06 Music, movement, and manipulatives, while fun, may hinder 1st graders struggling in math, study suggests. Thu, 26 Jun 2014 18:24:08 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/study-struggling-math-students-need-direct-instruction-not-fun-activities/2014/06 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/is-direct-instruction-a-school-equity-issue/2014/06 Direct instruction can to help students' acquire basic skills, but also embodies a highly restrictive view of learning. Tue, 03 Jun 2014 22:27:48 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/is-direct-instruction-a-school-equity-issue/2014/06 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/opinion-karl-wheatley-has-direct-instruction-banished-exploration-not-so-fast/2012/04 Guest post by Karl WheatleyA recent guest post here by John Thompson, Neither Teacher-less nor Teacher-proof: Constructivism Meets Guided Instruction, led to a lively discussion in the comments. I asked one reader to expand on his thoughts, and this post is the result. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:57:39 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/opinion-karl-wheatley-has-direct-instruction-banished-exploration-not-so-fast/2012/04 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/researchers-disagree-on-improving-reading-in-rural-areas/2011/12 Researchers debate the Direct Instruction model in teaching reading to rural students, in a series of Journal of Research in Rural Education articles. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:27:26 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/researchers-disagree-on-improving-reading-in-rural-areas/2011/12 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/does-lecturing-work-better-after-all/2011/04 This is bound to spark some interest. Harvard scholar Paul E. Peterson points to new research finding that 8th graders who received more direct instruction scored higher on an international math and science test than those whose teachers' predominantly engaged them in problem-solving activities. He notes that this is the direction that KIPP and other charter schools have already been moving, but that—sadly, in his view—most middle school instruction in the U.S., influenced by the "child-centered" theories of John Dewey and his progressive-education followers, "is weighted more towards problem-solving." Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:11:27 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/does-lecturing-work-better-after-all/2011/04 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/mcwhorter-makes-case-for-direct-instruction/2009/01 John McWhorter offers a scathing critique in the New Republic of New York City's approach to bridging the reading gap between black and white children. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:34:03 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/mcwhorter-makes-case-for-direct-instruction/2009/01 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/nclb-could-alter-science-teaching/2004/11 Soon, schools across the country could face a new, powerful incentive to consider new mode of science instruction, some observers say. Wed, 10 Nov 2004 01:28:16 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/policy-politics/nclb-could-alter-science-teaching/2004/11 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/opinion-the-presidents-reading-lesson/2004/09 English professor Dennis Baron draws unhappy parallels between George W. Bush's actions on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 and the "direct instruction" occurring in the classroom the president was visiting. Tue, 28 Sep 2004 01:40:38 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/opinion-the-presidents-reading-lesson/2004/09 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/education/opinion-direct-instruction-tale-draws-mixed-reviews/2004/09 To the Editor:I was disappointed to read the recent Commentary by Dennis Baron ("The President's Reading Lesson," Sept. 8, 2004). Mr. Baron may or may not know something about reading instruction, but he knows nothing about what the president should do in a situation such as the one President Bush found himself and the nation in on Sept. 11, 2001. Wed, 22 Sep 2004 23:20:03 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/education/opinion-direct-instruction-tale-draws-mixed-reviews/2004/09 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/study-challenges-direct-reading-method/2004/01 A study on reading instruction suggests that a widely used skills-based program may not be effective in raising the achievement of children in urban schools. Wed, 28 Jan 2004 15:00:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/study-challenges-direct-reading-method/2004/01 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/schoolwide-reform-improves-test-scores-analysis-finds/2002/12 Researchers, looking at studies on popular schoolwide improvement programs, have concluded that the comprehensive models are better than the status quo for raising student achievement. Wed, 11 Dec 2002 15:00:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/schoolwide-reform-improves-test-scores-analysis-finds/2002/12 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/a-delicate-balance/2002/05 The Montessori and Direct Instruction teaching methods can seem worlds apart. But in Texas' Aldine district, parents can pick between them—at the same schools. Wed, 08 May 2002 14:00:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/a-delicate-balance/2002/05 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/studies-cite-learning-gains-in-direct-instruction-schools/2002/04 Schools using Direct Instruction, a teaching method sometimes criticized for its tightly scripted teaching lessons, are generally seeing gains in student learning. Wed, 17 Apr 2002 14:00:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/studies-cite-learning-gains-in-direct-instruction-schools/2002/04 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/scripting-success/1999/10 When an independent research group recently examined studies of 24 "whole school" reform models, its findings contained two surprises. Fri, 01 Oct 1999 14:00:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/scripting-success/1999/10 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/a-direct-challenge/1999/03 Many experts don't like the rigid structure of the Direct Instruction reform model, but a sizable body of research says it can raise achievement. Wed, 17 Mar 1999 15:00:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/leadership/a-direct-challenge/1999/03 https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/studies-cast-doubt-on-benefits-of-using-only-whole-language-to-teach-reading/1992/01 Three newly published studies cast doubt on the effectiveness of whole language as a method for teaching reading and suggest that direct instruction in phonics can be effective. Wed, 08 Jan 1992 15:00:00 GMT https://www-edweek-org.ezproxy.baylor.edu/teaching-learning/studies-cast-doubt-on-benefits-of-using-only-whole-language-to-teach-reading/1992/01