IMSLEC's 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

2010

IMSLEC celebrates its 15th Anniversary in Phoenix, AZ

33 accredited programs

Marty Cooley named first Executive Director

2011

IMSLEC holds annual meeting in Chicago

Continued work on updating website

Converting print directory to a web-based version

Begins sending newsletters via the Internet

2012

Annual meeting held in Baltimore, MD

36 accredited training courses at 87 sites in the U.S.

2013

IMSLEC accredited training courses are recognized by IDA for meeting IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading

Annual meeting in New Orleans, LA

2014

Accreditation Committee continues to refine process

At the IDA Conference in San Diego, IMSLEC and ALTA exhibit together under the Alliance banner

39 accredited courses

2015

20th anniversary celebration

40 training courses are accredited

2016

IMSLEC adds flexibility to the accreditation process without lowering standards

41 courses are accredited

Annual meetings held in Orlando

2017

Marty Cooley retired

Jana Jones named as Executive Director

IMSLEC added School Recognition for schools implementing accredited MSLE approaches

45 courses are accredited

2018

Annual Meeting held at Middle Tennessee State University Center for Dyslexia Murfreesboro, Tennessee

44 courses are accredited

2019

Annual Meeting held at Charlotte, North Carolina

IMSLEC's longtime parliamentarian Martha Haun retired.

2020

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 Council Meeting was held via Zoom.

The Legislative Committee was added to the Bylaws as a standing committee. The committee will make the Council aware of legislative updates, initiatives, and laws related to dyslexia.

The accreditation process became virtual due to travel limitations.

Boon Foundation gave a grant for teacher and therapist scholarships.

Good Samaritan, Inc. provided a grant for scholarships for instructor training.

2021

Annual meeting held via Zoom

Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama is welcomed as IMSLEC's first Educator Pre-Service Program

2022

2022 annual meeting held in San Antonio, Texas.

The first Online Interactive Training Program was accredited

2023

2023 annual meeting held in Columbus, Ohio.

54 courses are accredited in 24 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

2024

2024 annual meeting held in Dallas, Texas at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital

58 courses are accredited