Bancroft-Rosalie School Wins Award for its Commitment to Direct Instruction

The case study focuses on Bancroft-Rosalie School, a small rural public school in Bancroft, Nebraska, serving K–12 students. The school has fewer than 300 students, 43% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch. The programs in use include Reading Mastery, Connecting Math Concepts, and Spelling Mastery, all of which are Direct Instruction curricula designed to provide explicit, systematic instruction in reading, math, and spelling.

Bancroft-Rosalie adopted the Direct Instruction programs as both an intervention and core curriculum, supported by the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI). Regular assessments were conducted every five lessons for Reading Mastery and every ten lessons for Connecting Math Concepts to monitor student progress. Outcomes examined included proficiency levels on state summative assessments.

Results demonstrated significant improvements in student achievement. In 2003, only 63% of students were proficient in state assessments, but by 2015, proficiency rates rose to 96% in reading and 94% in math. The programs allowed students to progress at their own pace, with some advancing multiple grade levels within a year. Fidelity assessments ensured accurate placement and consistent progress monitoring. The substantial increase in proficiency rates highlights the effectiveness of the programs.

The report emphasizes the importance of administrative support and fidelity in implementation. Teachers noted that the structured, consistent approach eliminated confusion and maximized instructional time, benefiting students across diverse skill levels.