Ivy Tech becomes first community college in nation to earn International Dyslexia Association accreditation

INDIANAPOLIS — Ivy Tech Community College’s Elementary Education program has earned accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) for its literacy coursework, becoming the first community college in the nation to achieve the distinction.

IDA accreditation recognizes educator preparation programs that meet rigorous standards for Structured Literacy and evidence-based reading instruction, including practices that support students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

This achievement is the result of a sustained, multi-year effort through Ivy Tech’s Literacy Initiatives, made possible in part by approximately $1.5 million in grant support from Lilly Endowment Inc. for 2024–2026. The work included redesigning literacy coursework, aligning curriculum with nationally recognized standards and providing extensive professional development for faculty across the state.

The accreditation builds on previous recognition of Ivy Tech’s literacy work, including an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality following the redesign of its literacy coursework.
Its greatest impact, however, will be in future classrooms. Ivy Tech students will enter the next stage of their teacher preparation with a stronger understanding of how children learn to read, how to identify reading difficulties and how to provide explicit, evidence-based instruction.

As a statewide institution, Ivy Tech has the opportunity to extend that impact to schools and communities throughout Indiana as its students continue their education and enter the teaching profession.