Slant System™ Earns IDA Accreditation PLUS
We’re excited to share an important milestone: Slant System™ Structured Literacy and Dyslexia Specialist Certification has been awarded Accreditation PLUS by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). While Slant System™ Structured Literacy Foundations and Advanced Training were already accredited by the IDA, this next level of recognition confirms something we deeply value: the depth and quality of our supervised practicum experience that helps teachers build real-life expertise that is essential for those with dyslexia.
When educators enter the pathway to this level of certification, they can feel confident they are receiving high-quality training, expert mentoring, and ongoing support designed to strengthen knowledge, sharpen practice, and create a lasting impact in the classroom.
So what does that actually mean?
What IDA Accreditation PLUS Means
IDA Accreditation PLUS is granted to educator preparation programs that not only align to IDA’s rigorous Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading, but also provide a robust supervised practicum. In other words, it’s not just validation of what educators learn, it’s validation of how well they’re supported to apply that learning in real instructional settings. 
One teacher described the difference the practicum makes this way:
“The Slant System for Structured Literacy really works! The kids love the predictability of the lessons… The Practicum helps teachers gain more knowledge to help teach all the stages of SLANT, along with lots of extra knowledge for teaching writing and helping students use morphemes to read lots of different words. It’s a great program!”
— Sandy Madden (Google Review)
Why Practicum Validation Matters
Structured literacy changes outcomes when it’s implemented with skill, accuracy, and responsiveness to student data. A high-quality practicum bridges the gap between training and transformation by providing:
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Supervised practice and coaching
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Feedback that sharpens instructional decision-making
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Real-time application in classrooms and intervention settings
Teachers consistently point to hands-on support as a key part of what makes implementation successful:
“All I can say is get yourself the training! It is the best professional investment you could ever make! I have gone through many different trainings and I feel that Slant was the most supportive and hands-on. They provided me with everything I needed to succeed!”
— Emily Forte (Google Review)
“Slant has helped reach my readers that struggle the most… The support I have received from the trainers has been better than I could have hoped for… I feel confident in what I am teaching knowing it is meeting my students needs.”
— Megan DuPass (Google Review)
Full IDA Accreditation Across Every Level of Training
With Accreditation PLUS, Slant System™ now holds full IDA accreditation across the entire training pathway, including foundational coursework, advanced training, AND practicum. The program is grounded in evidence-based, Orton-Gillingham structured literacy principles and aligns with the science of reading research, preparing educators to deliver instruction that is systematic, sequential, diagnostic, and prescriptive, especially for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
“Accreditation PLUS is an important affirmation of our mission to equip teachers with tools that truly change reading outcomes for students,” said Karla O’Brien, Co-Founder and Chief Academic Officer of Classmates Educational Group. “This recognition validates the strength of our training as well as the real-time coaching and practice that makes the Slant System™ transformative and very effective for both educators and students.”
Training Pathway and Certifications
Once teachers complete the introductory level course, Slant System™ Structured Literacy Foundations, they can proceed through Slant System™ Advanced Training where they gain deep knowledge in English language structure that is taught through the entire Slant System™ teaching sequence. Teachers who opt to participate in the Practicum simultaneously or within 24 months of this level of training, receive 60 hours of supervision by an expert level Slant System™ Certified Coach who guides the teacher through initial assessments, beginning work with students, and throughout implementation and final assessments. Teachers receive real-time coaching as they deliver lessons to their students which offers an opportunity to receive feedback in the moment. Additionally coaches support teachers throughout the school year providing 1:1 coaching sessions where their goal is to ensure the teachers feel confident and proficient in planning and delivering lessons with fidelity to make the biggest impact on student growth and literacy acquisition. The bottom line is, teachers not only gain the knowledge through training, but also critical implementation expertise to be able to work with and move the needle for students who require a systematic, sequential, and diagnostic approach to literacy instruction.
Slant System™ provides a coherent pathway that builds teacher knowledge and implementation skill:
As teachers complete training, they often describe a shift in both confidence and day-to-day practice:
“The Slant System is an invaluable resource for reading instruction… As a kindergarten teacher, the training provided me with the tools to implement structured literacy both in small groups and throughout my day… Slant has had a profound impact on my teaching, classroom, and most importantly my students.”
— Janice Conboy (Google Review)
Why this matters for students
Ultimately, Accreditation PLUS is about readiness, ensuring educators can deliver structured literacy effectively in classrooms and intervention settings. Teachers frequently report meaningful changes for the learners they serve:
“The Slant System is my favorite!! After just two weeks of implementation, my students doubled their rates of improvement on ORF assessments. They have become confident readers, and I have become a more efficient teacher!”
— Heidi Welch-Craemer (Google Review)
We’re honored by this recognition, and even more energized about what it means for teachers, schools, and students. If you’d like to learn more about Slant System™ training or explore partnership opportunities, we’d love to connect.
Click here To learn the difference between being “trained” and being “certified” and why is matters.
About Classmates Educational Group
Classmates Educational Group, Inc. develops and delivers evidence-based literacy professional development and instructional systems that empower educators and improve outcomes for students nationwide. Through the Slant System™ and related initiatives, the organization partners with schools and districts to advance effective reading instruction grounded in structured literacy.
