Implementing Direct Instruction in Australian Schools

For over a decade, we continue to help schools improve teaching outcomes and empower vulnerable students through Direct Instruction.

Our mission is to develop great teachers delivering effective teaching, often using Direct Instruction programs.

We have developed a number of resources that are free to school teams, that support the effective delivery of Direct Instruction.

Our Direct Instruction supports include professional learning, supplementary curriculum, mapping and guides for using Direct Instruction to for special education.  

Supplementary Curriculum

Curriculum that supplements Direct Instruction programs to bring them to Australian Curriculum requirements, such as swapping out US currency for Australian.

english top ups

Student Progress Tool for Spelling Mastery

The Student Progress Tool for Spelling Mastery assists schools doing schoolwide implementations of the McGraw Hill Spelling Mastery programs. This tool is just one of the many tools GGSA develops to assists schools in their school improvement initiatives.  

It enables schools to record and track lessons for Spelling Mastery programs A to F, enabling teachers to systematically record and track: 

  • Students’ daily attendance. 
  • Daily lesson progress with a weekly lesson summary. 
  • Individual student’s Independent Work scoring. 
  • Individual student’s assessment. 

The completed data sheets can easily be reviewed weekly by the school’s instructional leadership, enhancing their ability to support their teachers and students by using school wide data sets. 

They easily identify which groups or individuals are meeting or exceeding standards and which students or groups may need additional support to succeed. They can also use this data to start to pinpoint which teachers may need additional support in delivering the program and in what areas.  

The professional learning module Teach Spelling Mastery A-F includes a lesson on how to use the Student Progress Tool for Spelling Mastery and the tool itself includes instructions. If you need further assistance, contact info@goodtogreatschools.org.au 

View the Student Progress Tool for Spelling Mastery

Spelling Mastery Toolkit: All the Spelling Mastery tools you need in one place.

Explore the ultimate Spelling Mastery toolkit, designed to centralise all the essential resources in one convenient location. This comprehensive suite empowers Australian school teams—including principals, instructional coaches, teachers, and teaching assistants—to consistently enhance the implementation of Spelling Mastery across the school to ensure maximum student success. 

View the Spelling Mastery Toolkit

Enhance your school’s delivery of Spelling Mastery with our expertly designed tools, tailored to support school teams in effectively managing and delivering Spelling Mastery 

special needs

DI to Support Special Education

Our special education resources support schools using Direct Instruction programs to assist students with special needs.

 

'The Power of Direct Instruction' webinar with Noel Pearson

In June 2024, Noel Pearson presented a compelling webinar on Direct Instruction. Hosted by McGraw Hill Australia in collaboration with Good to Great Schools Australia (GGSA), the event was titled The Power of Direct Instruction and featured insights from GGSA’s founder and director, Noel Pearson. If you’re interested, members can view the webinar recording or register for a free membership to access it here.

GGSA and McGraw Hill Partnership on Direct Instruction

GGSA is committed to providing school teaching teams with quality professional learning in Direct Instruction. GGSA regularly has special offers for our members to enhance classroom delivery of Direct Instruction.

Click here to see the latest offerings

Image of free Reading Master resources part of a partnership on Explicit Direct Instruction
Schools receive a discount on MGH products when they partner with GGSA. Just cite your membership code when you contact McGraw Hill.

Join the GGSA network now to take advantage of this offer.

Choose from over 20 Direct Instruction programs by McGraw Hill Australia, tailored for Kindergarten to Year 5. Explore popular programs such as Reading Mastery Signature Edition, Spelling Mastery, and Connecting Math Concepts – used by 100s of Australian schools. 

To order online, visit: www.mheducation.com.au. To contact your local McGraw Hill Education Consultant, please visit: https://www.mheducation.com.au/support-contact/contact-rep.

Browse Oz-e-science and other subject curriculum resources designed with Direct Instruction to complement the English and Maths programs.
Discover School Improvement Resources and Tools to enhance all effective teaching including Direct Instruction programs.

 

Explore our Oz-e-maths Top Ups and Swap Outs teaching resources that can be used with Direct Instruction programs to cover the few sections that are not covered by the Australian Curriculum.
Image of teacher reading to the class using Explicit Direct Instruction methods

About Direct Instruction

Developed by Siegfried Engelmann in 1968, Direct Instruction’s evidence-based approach has consistently improved education for over 50 years.

It combines explicit teaching with a sequenced curriculum and assessment tools.

Uniquely grouping students by skill rather than age or year, it ensures personalised and effective progression for every learner.

How Direct Instruction Supports Students and Elevates Schools

Direct Instruction effectively meets the diverse needs of students across all performance levels, especially benefiting those with unique learning needs. It’s proven particularly effective for students from disadvantaged, marginalised, or minority backgrounds, helping schools elevate to ‘Fair’ and ‘Good’ standards
Teacher sitting at a table with students explaining a concept using Explicit Direct Instruction methods
Teacher standing at a table with students explaining a concept using Explicit Direct Instruction methods
Direct Instruction is ideal for regional, remote, and small mixed-grade schools, particularly those rated ‘Poor’ to ‘Fair’, where low-performing students often study.

It caters to complex student needs, from foundational reading skills to more advanced learning for older students who may have missed key knowledge in earlier years.

This approach is also beneficial in schools with high teacher turnover, offering new educators well-structured, scripted materials and data monitoring tools for ongoing improvement.