Clear, structured teaching helps students succeed, and schools across Australia are prioritising programs that support consistency while meeting the needs of diverse learners and busy teachers.  

Direct Instruction (DI) is a proven, evidence-based teaching program used across a range of established Direct Instruction programs and explicit teaching frameworks, including those published by McGraw Hill. It aligns with Good to Great Schools Australia’s mission to develop great teachers delivering effective teaching and it helps teachers deliver clear, explicit lessons that build student understanding step by step. Its design supports consistent teaching practice, stronger engagement and measurable academic progress across diverse classrooms. 

GGSA supports schools implementing Direct Instruction through professional learning, curriculum mapping and practical teaching resources, helping teachers confidently deliver effective explicit instruction from early years through to secondary school. 

The Direct Instruction program was developed in the 1960s by educator Siegfried Engelmann and is supported by evidence. The core principle of direct instruction pedagogy is that, when taught effectively, every student can learn. Direct Instruction programs are carefully planned with sequenced lessons and provide clear teacher scripts that encourage continuous assessment to check for learning, ensuring students master the concepts before the teacher moves on.   

Direct Instruction supports strong understanding through clear scaffolding and explicit modelling, proven direct instruction strategies that support effective direct instruction learning. It’s I do, We do, You do, so students understand concepts before starting independent work. 

One of Direct Instruction’s key features is grouping students by their skill level. This program allows teachers to target instruction more precisely, particularly when using specialised Direct Instruction reading, maths and literacy programs, helping ensure every learner receives structured support to progress successfully. 

Direct Instruction has a strong impact on student outcomes, largely because of its structured, predictable design. Lessons create a supportive learning environment that encourages participation and builds confidence. The benefits are broad, but four key areas stand out. 

Confidence  

Small, incremental steps give students regular wins, making success a built-in feature of every lesson and building confidence. They start to develop a can-do attitude in the classroom, and the more they engage, the more confident they become. 

Mastery  

Mastery is part of Direct Instruction’s design. Rather than skimming the surface, Direct Instruction helps students develop a profound, lasting understanding of topics, which is crucial for foundational skills like mathematics and reading. 

Building Strong Foundations  

By grouping students by ability to provide targeted instruction, Direct Instruction supports steady progress and strong achievement for all learners. Students receive structured teaching that helps them build skills with confidence and consistency. 

By grouping students by ability to provide targeted instruction, Direct Instruction is an effective way to close learning and achievement gaps. While some students might fall behind in more traditional school settings, Direct Instruction ensures they receive specific support to help them catch up.  

Supportive of Diverse Learners 

Direct Instruction is clear and exciting, which makes it especially effective for diverse learning needs, including students from non-English-speaking backgrounds or those with learning disabilities. 

‘The goal is to prevent the gap from opening in the first place, and by providing high-quality instruction from the outset, we equip every child with the tools they need to start their educational journey off on the right foot.’ 

– Noel Pearson, founder of Good to Great Schools Australia. 

These benefits extend beyond students. Direct Instruction also supports teachers by increasing effectiveness while supporting efficient planning and preparation. Scripted lessons allow teachers to focus on delivery and student support rather than spending extensive time creating new materials.  

Clarity and Confidence  

As Direct Instruction is highly scripted, it allows teachers to deliver lessons with clarity and confidence, ensuring precise and consistent teaching across the board.   

Time-Saving 

Direct Instruction contains ready-to-use materials, including lesson plans, so teachers can manage their time more effectively. They can focus on active student engagement to track progress, which builds a more positive classroom and leads to more individual feedback. 

Data-Informed Decision Making  

There are regular assessments built into Direct Instruction, allowing teachers to check for student understanding before they move on and identify students with additional needs.  

Teaching Success 

Engaged, successful students create a more positive classroom environment, which naturally supports teacher motivation and long-term sustainability in the profession. 

The benefits of Direct Instruction are even clearer when viewed as a whole-school approach: utilising the same instructional methods and consistent language across the student body creates a powerful, cohesive learning environment.  

Direct Instruction provides a strategic solution to the common challenges that many school leaders face, including:  

• improved literacy and numeracy outcomes through consistent, evidence-based instruction 

• greater efficiency in lesson preparation and delivery 

• reduced workload, which can support staff wellbeing and retention 

• opportunities to develop teaching assistants into future teachers 

• a system for continuous improvement that builds a culture of learning and growth.  

Good to Great Schools Australia is committed to helping Australian schools unlock the power of direct instruction as part of our broader efforts to develop great teachers and support effective teaching nationwide, and we’re excited to announce the Great Direct Instruction Giveaway.  

We’re giving schools the tools they need to successfully embed Direct Instruction in their classrooms, including Direct Instruction programs, Direct Instruction curriculum resources, and practical Direct Instruction classroom resources. 

Schools that join as a GGSA Partner School can receive valuable resources, including free second-hand Direct Instruction program books. These resources can help you instil Direct Instruction across your school, enabling you to enjoy the proven benefits of the Direct Instruction method and begin your journey to whole-school improvement.  

This unique opportunity is free of charge. 

How Your School Can Participate 

You can get involved with our easy four-step process to get started:  

1. Register Interest: Complete the registration form, and tell us which Direct Instruction programs interest you, including Corrective Reading, Reading Mastery, and Connecting Math Concepts. 

2. Quick Consultation: Our team will arrange a brief call to better understand your school’s needs, which will help us match you with suitable book bundles. 

3. Become a Partner School: Our team can guide you through the simple and free process to become a GGSA Partner School. This partnership provides your entire staff with access to a host of resources.  

4. Receive Your Resources: Once your membership is confirmed, our team will allocate and ship your free Direct Instruction books. These are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so there’s no time to waste. 

The Power of Your GGSA Partnership 

This partnership is much more than receiving free books; it provides a community of educators as dedicated to excellence as you are. It also provides access to a range of resources that can transform your school’s improvement journey.  

As a Partner School, you can access:  

Premium Curriculum Programs 

We have a full range of evidence-based resources, including acclaimed History and English programs. 

Professional Learning Modules  

Teachers can use online modules to learn skills for effective teaching, such as direct instruction methods, classroom management, and how to apply differentiation. 

Expert Coaching and Mentoring 

Partners are eligible for up to 10 hours of expert mentoring and coaching to support Direct Instruction implementation.  

School Improvement Tools 

There is a range of practical tools that can guide leadership teams on sustainable, school-wide improvement, including the handbook ‘Eight Cycles of School Practice.’ 

Already a Partner School? You’re Eligible Too!  

By referring a school that becomes an official Partner School, you both receive a free set of books!  

Take the Next Step  

Effective instruction is the keystone of school reform, and we want to help you create empowered teachers who give children the tools for success.  

The Great Direct Instruction Giveaway is your school’s opportunity to embrace this transformative system. You can equip your teachers with the tools they need to reduce their workload while increasing their impact, so they can see students thrive. 

Register your interest today to become a GGSA Partner School and take advantage of the Great Direct Instruction Giveaway. 

Julie Grantham brings more than 40 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal and senior public servant, including three years as Director-General of the Queensland Department of Education. 

During her leadership, Queensland’s state school results consistently improved and teaching and learning practices were strengthened through the introduction of world-class benchmarking. 

Julie also led major reforms requiring every Queensland school to define and implement evidence-based pedagogical practices tailored to their context.

Today, as Director of Schools at Good to Great Schools Australia, Julie works with schools and education systems to design and deliver programs that ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. Be sure to catch Julie each week as she hosts the Good to Great Schools Webinars. For more information, click the link below.