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Illinois Structured Literacy Grounded in the Science of Reading
IMSE IN ACTION
Discover IMSE's Impact across Illinois
IMSE helps Illinois educators deliver evidence-based literacy instruction that gets results. More than 540 Illinois schools and districts and over 8,233 educators trust IMSE structured literacy training to improve reading outcomes. With SB 2443 reinforcing the need for high-quality professional development, now is the time to invest in research-backed literacy training that supports educators and students.
IMSE has decades of experience supporting Illinois schools and districts with structured literacy professional development. Our training equips educators with practical, classroom-ready strategies rooted in the science of reading. Illinois districts partner with IMSE to build instructional consistency, strengthen educator practice, and improve literacy outcomes across classrooms.
Evidence-Based Structured Literacy Aligned with Illinois Literacy Legislation
Illinois's SB 2443 is designed to improve literacy outcomes statewide by establishing professional development requirements for K-3 educators aligned with the Science of Reading. The legislation underscores Illinois's commitment to ensuring that every student benefits from high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction.
IMSE is closely monitoring the implementation of SB 2443 and remains ready to support Illinois educators with CERI-endorsed professional development grounded in the Science of Reading. Through IMSE's research-based training, teachers gain the tools and confidence to implement effective, structured literacy instruction that drives lasting student success.
Whether your district is just beginning its structured literacy journey or looking to deepen implementation, IMSE provides the professional learning pathways, coaching, and support educators need to confidently deliver science-of-reading instruction in every classroom.
Illinois districts that partner with IMSE gain more than a training program. They gain a long-term professional development partner committed to instructional consistency, educator confidence, and measurable student growth. From initial training to ongoing coaching and certification, IMSE supports districts at every stage of their literacy transformation.
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Earn Your Credits.
Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDU) Participants from Illinois should reach out to their school to inquire about credits for IMSE courses.
LITERACY TRANSFORMATION IN ACTION
St. Francis Solanus Catholic School Literacy Wins
The teachers at St. Francis Solanus Catholic School knew their literacy methods were not driving meaningful outcomes for students and realized it was time to take a new approach. Following the implementation of IMSE's science-based literacy tools in the 2023-2024 school year, St. Francis saw an increase in DIBELS composite scores for all grades K-3.
Improvements with IMSE:
DIBELS Scores
Reading Speed
Letter Recognition
Student Confidence
The growth I’ve seen in students through IMSE training is incredible but the confidence my students have gained is almost more exciting. My first-graders went from being so dependent on me to problem-solving and working independently. Every assessment I have given I have had 80% of students getting 80% or better, which is a success I haven’t seen before! I highly recommend this training. My advice would be to do it with fidelity. I firmly believe that is the reason I am seeing the results I am!"
St. Francis Solanus Catholic School Elementary Teacher
To learn more about the literacy wins St. Francis experienced, read IMSE’s recent blog about how the school implemented IMSE’s approach and saw positive results.
Earn Graduate Credit for Your IMSE Training
IMSE courses are approved for graduate credits through Ashland University and Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), both regionally accredited institutions. Credits are a practical way for Illinois educators to advance professionally while supporting SB 2443 professional development requirements.
ESSA-Aligned Evidence-Based Literacy Training
IMSE holds ESSA Evidence Badges demonstrating alignment with the Every Student Succeeds Act and the strength of our research base. These badges reflect IMSE's commitment to delivering structured literacy professional development supported by rigorous evidence, giving Illinois schools and districts confidence that IMSE training meets the highest standards for effectiveness and accountability.
Districts seeking to satisfy ESSA Tier I–III evidence requirements for professional development funding will find that IMSE's training portfolio is built on a foundation of peer-reviewed research, independent outcome studies, and real-world results across hundreds of districts nationwide.
When Illinois districts invest in IMSE training, they're investing in professional development that doesn't just feel good — it's proven to work. Explore our full research library to see the evidence behind every program we offer.
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