NC Charter Schools Succeeding with Direct Instruction Teaching Programs

When charter schools in Leland, NC first began using Direct Instruction programs for reading and math intervention, many teachers opposed using the sometimes controversial direct instruction teaching methodology. After 5 years of using D-I programs such as Reading Mastery, Leland's charter schools including The Roger Bacon Academy and Charter Day School have some of the highest scores in the state on grades K-5 reading and mathematics assessments.

The reason for this success? A combination of using direct instruction intervention teaching programs (published by SRA/McGraw-Hill) and increasing the effectiveness of communication between charter school staff and parents - and even collaborating with the public schools in the Leland district (a rarity among charter/public school systems).

The success of Leland's charter school system is well documented by the StarNews Online and has helped the Roger Bacon Academy and Charter Day School to gain consideration as models for an effective charter school system:

• Leland Charter School Focuses on Old Instructional Technique (article)


• Proposal Would Allow More Charter Schools to Open (article)


• How a Charter School Found Success (video)