The bachelor of science in elementary education program at Morgan State University in Baltimore was recently accredited by the International Dyslexia Association.
This milestone makes Morgan State the first-ever HBCU to receive IDA accreditation, which confirms Morgan State’s undergraduate elementary education degree meets the IDA’s standards for preparing teachers to support structured literacy, prevent reading failure, and provide effective interventions for students with dyslexia and other reading-related challenges.
“This achievement elevates the university’s national standing in teacher education and positions Morgan as a leader in the implementation of research-based educational practices,” said Glenda Prime, dean of the School of Education and Urban Studies. “As we look to the future, the School of Education and Urban Studies will continue to ensure that all our programs meet the highest standards of excellence in the preparation of future educators and researchers, who are equipped to serve the needs of diverse communities.”
Morgan State received IDA accreditation after demonstrating its elementary education program aligns with the association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards. Based on scientific research and input from various stakeholders, these standards outline foundational, interdisciplinary concepts on reading development and reading difficulties. They also provide guidance on effective instruction in several key areas, such as phonological sensitivity and phoneme awareness, phonics and word recognition, reading fluency, vocabulary, listening and reading comprehension, and written expression.
“Morgan’s program is leading the way in training culturally responsive educators who possess the skills to identify and support students facing reading difficulties,” said Simone Gibson, assistant director of literacy at the university’s National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities. “This program is reimagining structured literacy through an equity-focused approach. Achieving accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association is a transformative milestone for the department and enhances our ability to address literacy disparities, equipping future educators to serve with both academic rigor and social awareness.”
