What Makes OGA Different?

Academy training relies on coursework and practicum delivered by an Academy Fellow. Fellows are certified by OGA as independent practitioners to provide the Academy curriculum. Because the training is done by Fellows, the Academy does not train, it only certifies and accredits, eliminating the conflict of interest where the same organization does training and certification. 

The Academy has deep roots. It was established by its Founding Fellows, who were either trained directly by Dr. Samuel Orton,  Anna Gillingham, Bessie Stillman, June Lyday Orton, Paula Rome or other individuals trained by the previously mentioned individuals. The Academy certifies people to use the Orton-Gillingham Approach with students of any age—pre-k through adult. We do not follow a rigid scope and sequence but provide flexibility and honor the Orton-Gillingham Approach’s seminal works. It is essential that the teacher/tutor understand how to use and implement the OG teaching techniques and procedures. It involves how to teach/remediate all areas of literacy, not just reading and spelling, and providing this instruction one-on-one, in a classroom, or with any size group. We provide the knowledge-base with our coursework and the practical experience and support learning how to apply the knowledge-base.

An extraordinary fact about OGA is that every member of the Academy can trace their roots back to Orton or Gillingham depending on the lineage of their Academy training Fellow.

The Academy is incorporated and operates under the New York Education Law, its corporate status being authorized in 1995 by the action of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. It is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.