About IMSLEC
About Us
The International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC), a 501(c)(3) organization, accredits quality Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) training courses. Accredited courses meet IMSLEC criteria and instructional program standards for preparing specialists in Multisensory Structured Language Education. IMSLEC accredits training programs which include a variety of approaches. These training programs offer extensive coursework and supervised teaching experience leading to professional certification. The training programs may be independent post-secondary training programs or may exist within already accredited institutions, such as colleges, universities or medical entities.
IMSLEC promotes and ensures quality Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE) training for teachers and therapists of individuals with dyslexia and related disorders. IMSLEC's accreditation process supports essential standards and criteria for academic and practicum work that are crucial to the successful training of dyslexia teachers, therapists and other specialists.
MSLE instruction includes the approaches which incorporate components demonstrated to assist individuals with dyslexia and related disorders to gain literacy skills.
For more information on dyslexia and related disorders, contact the International Dyslexia Association, http://www.interdys.org.
MSLE instruction contains the following components:
ContentPhonology and Phonological Awareness
Sound-Symbol Association
Syllable Instruction
Morphology
Syntax
Semantics (Comprehension)
Simultaneous Multisensory
(VAKT)
Systematic and Cumulative
Direct Instruction
Diagnostic Teaching
Synthetic and Analytic Instruction
Mission of IMSLEC
The mission of IMSLEC is to accredit quality training courses for the professional preparation of multisensory structured language education specialists.
Purpose of IMSLEC
- To advocate for high standards in the professional preparation of multisensory structured language education specialists — clinicians and teachers
- To establish standards and criteria of excellence
- To evaluate and accredit:
- Comprehensive MSLE training courses offered by existing independent agencies and centers; and
- MSLE courses offered by other already accredited institutions.
Benefits of IMSLEC
Through accreditation of training programs, IMSLEC assists individuals with dyslexia and related disorders to reach their potential as contributing members of society.
IMSLEC is an important resource for parents, government agencies, and educational systems for the clarification of what constitutes a quality teacher training program for teachers of dyslexic students by establishing organizational criteria and evidenced-based instructional program standards for content and methodology for MSLE training courses. IMSLEC provides a directory of accredited programs, teachers, and therapists.
Accreditation of a training course assures intervention for children and adults with dyslexia is based on an alternate reading approach which has a scientific basis for its instructional procedures. Individuals with dyslexia or related disorders require a different method of teaching to match their learning differences.
Accreditation of an MSLE training course assures that the teachers or therapists trained in that program have received adequate course instruction and practicum in the skills required to produce positive, measurable results in literacy for the dyslexic population.
Governance
The Council
The Council is comprised of one designated representative from each accredited training course. Representatives from training courses in the process of accreditation (Formal Candidates) are not members of the Council but are encouraged to attend meetings of the Council to become familiar with the work of IMSLEC.
The Board of Directors
The Board determines the policies and procedures of IMSLEC and directs and supervises its affairs. There are 15 Board members elected from the Council membership. The immediate past president and representatives from IDA and ALTA sit on the Board as non-voting members. One public member for every six Board members is elected by the Board from nominees submitted by accredited training courses.
The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the Board is elected by the Board from its own members. The committee includes the president, the vice president/president- elect, the vice president/accreditation, the secretary, and the treasurer. The president, assisted by the officers, manages the day-to-day business of IMSLEC, advises, and presents recommendations to the Board.
The Executive Director
The Executive Director is employed to administer and manage the affairs of the Council under direction of the Executive Committee.
History and Development
| 1990-1995 | Committee of the Orton Dyslexia Society (now the International Dyslexia Association) |
| 1995 | Incorporation as an
independent accrediting organization First Annual Meeting of organizers; Bonita Colony elected president First grant received Publication of Clinical Studies of Multisensory Language Education for Students with Dyslexia and Related Disorders |
| 1996 | Non-profit 501(c)(3)
status received Second Annual Meeting of Organizers Second grant received |
| 1997 | Accreditation Standards
and Criteria Adopted Accreditation Procedures, Handbook approved Three programs piloted for accreditation First Formal Candidates approved Third Annual Meeting of organizers; Joyce Pickering elected president |
| 1998 | First on-site evaluation
team visits First accreditations announced (November) Additional Formal Candidates approved Fourth Annual Meeting Publication of Directory of Accredited Programs |
| 1999 (Nov.) | Clinical Studies
(2nd ed., revised) Directory of Accredited Programs (2nd ed.) Publication of MSLE: Overview of 11 Approaches |
| 2000 | CEU Process approved 6th Annual Meeting |
| 2001 | Publication of Directory of Accredited Programs and Graduates, 7th Annual Meeting |
| 2002 | First dual accreditation with
ALTA Founding member organization of the Alliance for Accreditation & Certification, Inc., 8th Annual Meeting |
| 2003 | Presented first annual Innovator Awards, 9th Annual Meeting. |
| 2004 | Collaborated with other organizations in The Alliance to begin work on a certifying exam, 10th Annual Meeting. |
| 2005 | 19 IMSLEC - accredited training courses participated in field testing a certification exam for MSLE teachers, and therapists; 11th Annual Meeting; Valerie Tucker elected president |
| 2006 | IMSLEC and ALTA Centers Council merge to form one accrediting organization; The Alliance exam is administered by ALTA. 12th Annual Meeting |
| 2007 | 13th annual meeting held in Dallas; Phyllis Meisel elected president. Alliance Exam administered during the IDA Conference |
| 2008 | IMSLEC sends representatives to Alliance Task Force meeting in Baltimore to discuss broadening the Alliance members; 14th annual meeting held in Seattle; Ad hoc committee formed to discuss school accreditation. |
| 2009 | 15th Annual Meeting held in Orlando; Maureen Martin elected president Ad hoc committee formed to update IMSLEC website; 32 accredited courses. |
Fall 2011 Newsletter