Maryland's Jemicy School is First School in the Country to Become Accredited by International Dyslexia Association

BALTIMORE, Feb. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Jemicy School, which educates talented and bright students with dyslexia and other related language-based learning differences, is pleased to announce that the school is the first in the country to become accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). Jemicy, founded in 1973, has both a Lower/Middle School and Upper School campus, located in Owings Mills.

IDA evaluated Jemicy's curriculum, classroom instructors, and one-on-one and small group specialized instruction during the accreditation process to determine that Jemicy is meeting the IDA Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading. These standards define what all teachers of reading need to know and be able to do to teach all students to read proficiently, not just those with dyslexia.

"If teachers are knowledgeable about and using these practice standards, all but the most severe reading problems can be ameliorated," said Suzanne Carreker, Ph.D., CALT, QI, secretary of the IDA board of directors and one of the three independent evaluators who looked at Jemicy during this pilot program. "Jemicy is a model school. Now that it is officially accredited by IDA, anyone who is looking at Jemicy will know that this school has the reading curriculum and instructors that will help a student learn to read."

"We are beyond thrilled that Jemicy is the first school in the country accredited by the International Dyslexia Association," said Ben Shifrin, head of school. "This is a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of our administrators, faculty and staff who strive to do their best for our students. At Jemicy, we have always set the bar high, and it is very rewarding for us to be recognized by this prestigious international organization."

"Ben is a visionary. We were so impressed by his willingness to take the comments from the evaluators to heart and immediately implement them into the curriculum," said Carreker. "He always puts the best interests of the students first."

"School accreditation is part of a larger initiative with IDA in collaboration with the Center for Effective Reading Instruction. We want to change the way that reading instruction happens in the classroom," said Carreker, who adds that IDA is in the process of developing a general certification for classroom teachers of reading that will be based on IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards.

"When a parent has a student who is struggling, they are very vulnerable. They want to be able to go to a school and know they have the instructors who will help their child succeed. With IDA accreditation, they can be sure that those schools, like Jemicy, have passed our rigorous evaluation and have our seal of approval."

According to Carreker, there are approximately 250 schools in the country specializing in teaching students with language-based learning differences. Schools interested in obtaining accreditation will need to present documents such as curriculum and syllabi, show proof of their state and independent school accreditations, and be open to independent evaluations.

About Jemicy School

Jemicy School, founded in 1973, provides a highly individualized, flexible, and challenging education for above-average to gifted college-bound students with dyslexia or other related language-based learning differences.  A recognized leader in the field of education, Jemicy educates students between the ages of six and eighteen on two campuses.  The Lower and Middle School and the Upper School are each based in Owings Mills, Maryland just a short distance from one another. For more information, please visit www.jemicyschool.org.

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SOURCE Jemicy School