Leader in literacy professional development
starts nonprofit foundation to offer scholarships for educators to
learn proven methods to teach reading
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- IMSE, the leading provider of structured literacy
professional development, today announced the launch of the IMSE
Foundation to provide more educators with the tools they need
to fight the literacy crisis.
Only one-third of U.S. students can read proficiently, and
nearly 70% of fourth graders do not read at grade level. Yet in
contrast, research shows that students who reach grade-level
proficiency in reading by third grade are four times more likely to
graduate and succeed in their careers. With nearly every state in
the nation passing legislation, guidelines, or policies on reading
and literacy, giving educators access to science-backed approaches
is key to making progress.
"We have no time to waste — the literacy crisis has
ramifications for society that go beyond schools and we must break
down barriers to access proven strategies that increase our impact
to ensure every child learns to read," said Jeanne Jeup, co-founder and CEO of IMSE.
"Through the IMSE Foundation, we are poised to do our part to
empower educators to have the tools they need to teach reading and
help students succeed."
For the past 30 years, IMSE has been the leading source of
professional development and support for educators teaching
literacy. IMSE training is based in the science of reading, drawing
from research in cognition, linguistics, and neuroscience. Over
300,000 educators have taken IMSE training, with over 1,200
becoming IMSE-Certified educators after completing a rigorous
12-month practicum. Now, with the foundation as the nonprofit arm
of IMSE, educators have the opportunity to receive scholarships for
access to high-quality professional development that works:
- Cucamonga Local School District in California saw the number of kindergarteners
reading at or above grade level rise from 25 percent to 50
percent.
- Sixth graders from Washington Local School District in
Ohio doubled or tripled their
scores on the DIBELS assessment.
- Mountain Mahogany Community School in New Mexico saw a 25 percent improvement in
state assessments over four years.
"The IMSE Training was the best training I have ever received in
my 21 years of teaching — my students now leave my classroom with a
strong foundation in early literacy skills," said JoLynn Aldinger, first-grade teacher at Galileo
STEM Academy in Meridian, Idaho.
"Nothing compares to my students' confidence when they realize they
have what it takes to read and spell hard words."
The IMSE Foundation is donor-funded and aims to provide teachers
access to training and tools that are proven to help students
overcome reading gaps and reach grade level. Donations received go
toward training teachers in proven methods and fighting the
literacy crisis, which is fully preventable.
"We believe every child in every zip code deserves to read, and
that starts with giving educators what they need," said
Robin Zikmund, Dyslexia Advocate and
Community Engagement Manager of IMSE.
Applications are now being accepted for the first IMSE
Foundation scholarship, which will be awarded to a teacher at the
end of May. The IMSE Foundation is committed to giving teachers the
tools and training they need to make a difference.
To learn more about the IMSE Foundation and to apply for the
scholarship, visit: https://www.imsefoundation.org/
Click here to donate. Your donation makes all the difference in
children receiving effective reading instruction and a path toward
literacy success.
About IMSE
IMSE, founded by educators for educators,
is the leading provider of structured literacy solutions that
leverage the best of Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy,
rooted in the science of reading to promote literacy. An education
pioneer, IMSE has nearly 30 years of experience applying and
innovating the science of reading to empower educators through
curriculum, professional development, and personal support. IMSE's
unmatched training and classroom programs enable a practical
approach to teaching reading that furthers equity in literacy
learning and has helped millions of students across the country
achieve measurable growth. For more information about IMSE, visit:
imse.com
Contact: Caroline Hansen,
chansen@wearecsg.com
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SOURCE The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education