# Emily Hanford Challenges Traditional Teaching Methods with Direct Instruction Journalist Emily Hanford explores how structured teaching programs could transform American classroom education. - **Source:** [TIME](https://time.com/) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [science](https://brifing.si/c/science) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a405f82c-90b5-4c6b-9248-2a20486bbd22 ## Journalist Driving Reform Emily Hanford, an education journalist, has become a central figure in reshaping how reading is taught across the United States. Her podcast, Sold a Story, catalyzed legislative changes in dozens of states since 2017. She now shifts her focus to Direct Instruction, a teacher-led methodology developed by Siegfried Engelmann during the 1960s. ## The Direct Instruction Model Direct Instruction is a structured, teacher-led approach that contrasts with common inquiry-based, student-led models. It utilizes scripted lessons, choral responses, and frequent repetition to ensure mastery of concepts. Unlike traditional lecturing, it functions as a dynamic interaction between teacher and student, designed to keep all learners engaged throughout the entire lesson. ## Legislative Impact on Schools Since the fall of 2022, at least 26 states have implemented legislative or policy changes regarding reading instruction. While Mississippi and Alabama are frequently cited as success stories, Hanford notes that legislation is rarely the sole driver of improvement. Meaningful change requires a combination of top-down policy and bottom-up movement from educators. ## Addressing Political Polarization Education reform remains surprisingly politically divisive in the United States. While explicit instruction is often associated with conservative viewpoints, many researchers and practitioners in the field identify with the political left. Hanford observes that most teachers simply want to utilize methods that are proven to work, regardless of the underlying political optics. ## Cognitive Science and Pedagogy Engelmann’s Direct Instruction aligns closely with findings from cognitive science developed over the last 60 years. Research suggests that students do not learn best by simply mimicking behaviors in cozy reading nooks. Instead, structured, evidence-based instruction provides the foundational knowledge necessary for children to eventually think for themselves and solve complex problems. ## The Scripted Lesson Controversy Scripted lessons represent the most controversial aspect of Direct Instruction, yet they are not unique to this program. The difference lies in the rigorous field testing and study behind Engelmann’s specific scripts. These materials allow teachers to focus on student comprehension rather than spending late nights designing individual lesson plans from scratch. ## Evidence from Follow Through The Project Follow Through study, which analyzed 350,000 students across 22 different programs, indicated that Direct Instruction outperformed other methods on nearly all academic measures. Despite this large-scale evidence, the education system did not widely adopt the approach. It remains a significant, albeit messy, example of long-term research in the field. ## Redefining Teacher Autonomy Resistance to Direct Instruction often stems from the American ideal of the teacher as an independent lesson designer. Hanford argues that this expectation makes the profession unnecessarily stressful and difficult. By providing high-quality, pre-designed lessons, schools can reduce teacher burnout and allow educators to focus more effectively on individual student needs. ## Mastery-Based Grouping Strategies Direct Instruction utilizes mastery-based grouping, where students are organized by skill level rather than age or grade. This ensures that children receive instruction tailored to their current capabilities, allowing those who grasp concepts quickly to progress while others receive the necessary repetition. This method acknowledges that students learn at different speeds. ## Challenges to Widespread Adoption Currently, fewer than 200 schools in the United States utilize the Direct Instruction model. The methodology often struggles to survive without strong, consistent leadership at the top. Because it represents a significant departure from the status quo, it requires substantial investment in teacher training and a commitment to maintaining the program's integrity. ## Empowering 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 encouraged to ask questions about why specific teaching methods are being utilized in classrooms. ## Seeking Professional Consensus The ultimate goal of Hanford’s reporting is to foster a national conversation about establishing a shared body of knowledge in education. Professions like medicine and aviation rely on agreed-upon standards, yet teaching lacks this consensus. Progress in student outcomes may remain limited until the field agrees on basic, evidence-based instructional foundations. ## Sources covering this story - https://time.com/article/2026/11/05/sold-a-story-emily-hanford-interview/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._