The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE), a leading provider of Structured Literacy professional development, is proud to announce that its curricular materials have been approved by the Idaho State Board of Education (the board) following the rigorous Idaho State High-Quality Curriculum Review. On August 21, 2024, the board officially adopted IMSE’s Orton-Gillingham Plus and Morphology Plus programs for use in Idaho public schools for the next six years.

Per the adoption, both programs can be used broadly across all tiers due to their alignment with Idaho Content Standards and classifications as a Component Program. (A Component Program is defined as a program designed and intended to be used to supplement a comprehensive or basic program. A Component Program will support and/or enhance the focus, coherence, depth, and rigor of a comprehensive or basic program.)

Recent data reveal that nearly 40% of Idaho’s K-3 students are not reading at grade level. To address this, the Idaho Department of Education (DOE) prioritizes providing all local education agencies with High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) aligned to Idaho’s ELA Content Standards, as outlined in the Idaho Code. The board’s adoption of IMSE curricular materials aligns with the DOE’s priorities and the state’s commitment to improving literacy outcomes for its students.

“As an Idaho mother of a teenage son with dyslexia, to set students up for literary success, schools, and districts need to prioritize the implementation of programs that are proven to work for all students at every reading level,” said Robin Zikmund, the founder and past president of Decoding Dyslexia Idaho, the Co-Founder and Vice President of the IMSE Foundation, and the dyslexia advocate and community engagement manager for IMSE. “Every classroom has students who face a range of learning challenges, and the key to reaching all of them are literacy materials that support all of their unique reading journeys.”

Diverse populations will especially benefit from the adopted IMSE curriculum, which include but may not be limited to: Culturally Diverse (CLD), English Language (EL), English Language Development (ELD), or students whose primary language is one other than English (ESL), Special Education students (supporting differentiated or personalized learning through design, pace and academic needs), Gifted and Talented (supporting depth, breadth, complexity, and pace).  

“IMSE was created to provide schools and districts with literacy tools that explicitly model effective techniques and practical ideas that teachers can use immediately in their classroom,” said Jeanne Jeup, Co-Founder and CEO of IMSE. “I’m excited to see the impact our literacy programs will have on Idaho students — and while we still have a long way to go in solving the literacy crisis, this is a huge step in the right direction in Idaho.”

The state board’s review of curricular materials included a two-tiered process. The reviewers, composed of teachers, administrators, and other experts throughout the state, reviewed the materials, followed by the Curricular Materials Selection Committee. At least two reviewers reviewed each title before making a recommendation. The State Board of Education considered the committee recommendations and made a final ruling.