Literacy has become a top priority for many school districts in recent years, especially when it comes to meeting the needs of special education students. At East Windsor Regional School District in New Jersey, the special education department had long relied on methods that fell short in building strong reading foundations. By 2023, stagnant student outcomes made it clear: a new approach was needed. As parents began asking about Orton-Gillingham (OG) based instruction, district leaders took notice and started exploring more structured, evidence-based alternatives.
The Shift to IMSE
After completing her own IMSE training in 2023, Patricia Togans, Reading Interventionist at East Windsor Regional School District, recognized the value of structured, multisensory instruction, advocating for broader adoption across the district’s special education departments. All special education teachers in grades three through five are now trained in the IMSE OG+ approach, and several middle school special education teachers have also enrolled to take the training this year. IMSE has officially become the primary reading instruction method for the district’s special education program, marking a clear and intentional shift toward Structured Literacy rooted in the Orton-Gillingham methodology.
The Results: Real Growth, Real Confidence
The impact of this transition has been tangible. Teachers are seeing not only academic gains but also renewed confidence and motivation in their students. Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) data shows substantial growth across the 2024–2025 academic year.
Why It Matters
East Windsor’s shift to IMSE reflects a practical and research-driven response to a real instructional challenge. Faced with concerns about student progress, district leaders examined what was working and what wasn’t, and the result was a targeted investment in teacher training and a move toward Structured Literacy that prioritizes evidence-based practices.
The data tells an undeniable truth. Just one year after implementing Structured Literacy instruction, East Windsor’s special education students are reading more fluently, meeting grade-level expectations, and gaining the foundational skills they need for future success.
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