FAQs | Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators

Q: What is the difference between a program and an approach?

A program is a plan, schedule or procedure to be followed to a specified end. An OG program follows a set scope and sequence. An approach is the means adapted to tackling an issue. Orton-Gillingham is an instructional approach. It is most properly understood and practiced as an approach, not a method, program, system or technique. In the hands of a well-trained and experienced instructor, it is a powerful tool of exceptional breadth, depth, and flexibility.

Q: Does the Fellow of Record need to be on site?

The Fellow of record does not need to be on site on a daily basis.

Q: What is the Certifying Committee looking for in the student lesson plan and profile at the Fellow Level?

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" overlay_opacity="0.5" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hover_type="none" link="" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" undefined="" background_repeat="no-repeat" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_text] For the profile, it should show a greater depth of understanding of testing and assessment than that expected at the Certified level. When a Fellow mentors teachers they need to have a really good understanding of the students both through interpreting the test results and their clinical judgment from observing the student during testing and teaching. The lesson should be well into the language continuum, with a reasonable number of lessons prior to the submitted lesson. It does not have to be an advanced lesson but it is probably preferred, depending on the student. A very complex student may not be working on very advanced material but you would still expect them to be well into the scope and sequence. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: What is the cost of Certification training?

Training costs are set by the Fellow trainers or the Accredited training program.

Q: Does my practicum student/small group need to be formally diagnosed with dyslexia?

For the Associate level , the practicum student must either be someone with a diagnosis of dyslexia or be highly suspected of having dyslexia as confirmed by the Supervising Fellow. If the student does not have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia you would benefit from any school testing performed regardless of the dyslexia word, any teacher concerns, or reasons why this student has been flagged for more services, and you would need to do your own informal assessment so you could write a good profile that supports OG as being an appropriate intervention. Testing often avoids the word “dyslexia” but reading disorder, etc or just testing scores that indicate difficulties with phonemic awareness and decoding can be crafted into a good profile. For the Certified level, at least one practicum student should have formal cognitive and academic testing. Cognitive tests may be standard/full versions of the following: Weschler Scales (WISC or WAIS), Standford-Binet, Kaufman, or WJ-IV test of Cognitive Abilities (partial screenings will not be accepted).

Q: Do I need to use the same student for the entire practicum?

Although it is preferable to use the same student, the Academy realizes that certain situations are not always ideal for doing the practicum. You do not need the 100 hours of practicum to be with the same student you present in your application, but you should work with the student sufficient time to show progress through the scope and sequence. The Academy recommends at least 30 lessons with the practicum student.

Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators Orton-Gillingham Academy Upholding Excellence in Professional Practice

Is there a recommended number of tutoring hours per week for the Orton-Gillingham Approach to be effective?

What is the difference between a program and an approach?

What is the description of the Fellow of Record?

Does the Fellow of Record need to be on site?

What is the Certifying Committee looking for in the student lesson plan and profile at the Fellow Level?

What is the cost of Certification training?

Does my practicum student/small group need to be formally diagnosed with dyslexia?

Do I need to use the same student for the entire practicum?

How long does training take?

Are courses available online?