Value Schools, a charter management organization within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), is dedicated to providing high-quality, values-driven elementary and secondary education to students who the public school system has historically underserved. In 2023, the school noticed a concerning decline in students’ literacy and writing scores. With it clear that many students were falling behind, the school knew it was time to take a different approach, especially with the school’s charter renewal with LAUSD at risk.
Structured Literacy is the Solution to Student Success
In the spring of 2023, Loreen Riley, the Chief Executive Officer Value Schools, reached out to IMSE for training to strengthen literacy instruction across her team. That commitment to literacy continued into the fall of 2023, when Carmen Vazquez joined Value Schools as the Chief Academic Officer. To build her expertise and lead the initiative effectively, Carmen completed IMSE’s OG+, Morphology, and Phonological Awareness courses. She then went on to hire and train two reading specialists in IMSE’s Structured Literacy approach to ensure every teacher received the necessary training. These specialists now provide ongoing support to teachers throughout the schools, ensuring they can implement Structured Literacy strategies with fidelity to drive student success.
Since implementing IMSE’s Structured Literacy approach, Value Schools has seen a remarkable improvement — not only in student reading scores but also in teacher morale. The integration of IMSE’s evidence-based practices has given teachers the confidence and tools to lead effectively in the classroom. A consistent instructional approach across all grade levels has reduced curricular gaps, minimized student confusion, and made it easier to identify and support struggling students sooner, so they don’t fall behind.
After implementing IMSE’s OG+ program, Value Schools saw a reduction in struggling students by 31% and a 14% increase in high performing students.
“Last year, our schools were significantly struggling with literacy. This year, we’ve gone from survival mode to breathing, taking steps forward, and growing,” said Carmen. ”The IMSE approach has really helped us expedite student growth and success across grade levels.”
It’s not just about what you teach — it’s about how you teach it. When teachers are equipped with proven literacy tools that work and are empowered by the results, they can create more meaningful student outcomes.
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