Emily Hanford on the Science of Direct Instruction in Education
Journalist Emily Hanford explores how structured teaching methods could transform American classroom outcomes.
1Journalism Driving Policy Change
Journalist Emily Hanford has significantly influenced U.S. education through her investigative reporting. Her podcast, Sold a Story, catalyzed a nationwide shift toward reading curricula aligned with cognitive science. Since 2017, her work has prompted dozens of states to pass legislation mandating evidence-based reading instruction, fundamentally altering how schools approach foundational literacy education.
2The Direct Instruction Model
Hanford’s latest work examines Direct Instruction, a teaching method developed by Siegfried Engelmann in the 1960s. Unlike inquiry-based learning where teachers act as guides, this model features teacher-led, scripted lessons. It emphasizes rapid-fire interaction, choral responses, and repetition to ensure students master core concepts efficiently before moving on to more complex material.
3Legislative Impact on Schools
Since the fall of 2022, at least 26 states have implemented policy changes regarding reading instruction. While legislation is a powerful tool, Hanford notes it is rarely a complete solution. States like Mississippi and Alabama have seen measurable improvements in reading outcomes, demonstrating that laws can support, but not replace, effective classroom practice.
4Addressing Political Divisiveness
Education reform remains surprisingly political in the United States. While explicit instruction was historically associated with conservative figures like George W. Bush, many researchers and practitioners implementing these methods identify with the political left. Hanford argues that the urgency of student success transcends traditional political labels, as teachers prioritize methods that demonstrably work.
5Debunking Rote Learning Myths
Critics often dismiss Direct Instruction as mere rote learning or monotonous lecturing. However, Hanford clarifies that the model is highly interactive, functioning like a structured game of catch. Teachers use signals to elicit unison responses, ensuring students remain engaged and attentive, which prevents the passive zoning out often associated with traditional lecture-based classroom environments.
6The Role of Scripted Lessons
Scripted lessons are the most controversial aspect of Direct Instruction, yet they offer significant benefits. Unlike generic scripts, these programs undergo rigorous field testing and scientific study. By providing a proven roadmap, these scripts reduce the burden of lesson planning, allowing teachers to focus their energy on monitoring student progress and individual needs.
7Project Follow Through Evidence
The Project Follow Through study, which analyzed 350,000 students across 22 different programs, remains a landmark piece of research. It found that Direct Instruction outperformed other methods across nearly all academic measures. Despite this evidence, the education system did not widely adopt the approach, leaving a significant gap between research findings and classroom practice.
8Redefining Teacher Autonomy
Resistance to Direct Instruction often stems from the American ideal of the teacher as an independent lesson designer. Hanford suggests this expectation is unsustainable and contributes to high burnout rates. By shifting the focus from lesson creation to lesson delivery, teachers can reduce their workload while ensuring students receive high-quality, consistent educational content daily.
9Mastery-Based Grouping Strategies
Direct Instruction utilizes mastery-based grouping, where students are organized by skill level rather than age or grade. This allows teachers to provide targeted instruction that meets students where they are. Higher-performing students progress faster, while those struggling receive the repetition they need, ensuring that all learners can eventually master the required academic concepts.
10Challenges to Widespread Adoption
Currently, fewer than 200 schools in the United States utilize Direct Instruction. The model struggles to survive without strong leadership and consistent investment in teacher training. Because it deviates significantly from the status quo of discovery-based learning, it requires a dedicated champion at the administrative level to maintain the program's integrity and effectiveness.
11Empowering Concerned Parents
Hanford advises parents who are concerned about their children's education to seek out like-minded individuals within their school communities. There is power in numbers, and collective inquiry can lead to better understanding of school curricula. Parents are often unaware of instructional methods until problems arise, making proactive engagement and local advocacy essential.
12Seeking Professional Consensus
Hanford hopes her work encourages a broader conversation about why education lacks a unified body of knowledge. Established professions like medicine and aviation rely on agreed-upon standards and evidence, whereas teaching remains fragmented. Achieving professional consensus on effective instructional methods is necessary to ensure all students receive the high-quality education they deserve.
Original article: Time — Emily Hanford on the Science of Direct Instruction in Education