Orton-Gillingham Practitioner Certification
Training by a Fellow & Certification through the Academy
The Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA) is a certifying and accrediting body dedicated to upholding the highest professional and ethical standards for the practice of the Orton-Gillingham (OG) Approach for the treatment of dyslexia. OG is an approach that prepares the practitioner to individualize instruction to meet the specific needs of each learner.
One of the primary ways the Academy pursues its mission is through a practitioner Certification Program validating rigorous training standards set forth by the Academy. Upon completion of Academy training with a Fellow, an applicant submits specific credentials and documentation that are reviewed against these criteria and standards set by the Academy at four different levels of certification:
- Classroom Educator Level, CE/OGA is intended for educators teaching in a general education setting. The CE practitioner is certified to provide and adapt literacy instruction for the whole class or for small groups needing supplemental support. CE is not a prerequisite for Associate level. CE is a stand alone certification for classroom teachers.
The next three levels represent a continuum of increasing training, experience, and professional competency.
- Associate Level, A/OGA is intended for practitioners working with struggling readers of all ages, including those with dyslexia, in individual or group settings. Until completing the Certified Level of certification, it is recommended that members work under the mentorship of an OGA Fellow.
- Certified Level, C/OGA is intended for practitioners who have completed the Associate level training and practicum. The Certified Level expands and deepens the Associate Level concepts and equips the practitioner with the skills to address the needs of struggling readers of all ages, including those with dyslexia and more complex learning profiles, in any setting.
- Fellow Level, F/OGA is intended for practitioners who have completed the Associate and Certified level training and practicum. The Fellow Level prepares practitioners to design and deliver Orton-Gillingham training courses at all levels of OGA certification. The Fellow practitioner maintains certification by OGA to address the needs of struggling readers of all ages, including those with dyslexia and more complex learning profiles, in any setting.
Click here for CE & Associate Comparison Chart
Click here for Membership Comparison Chart
Orton-Gillingham Training includes:
- The nature of the dyslexic learner
- Understanding the neurobiology of reading
- Understanding of reading development from decoding to reading for knowledge
- The OG Approach: principles and knowledge of lesson plan design
- Knowledge of the history and structure of the language
- Knowledge of the basic assessment measures
- Intensive supervised practicum
In addition to these Individual Certifications, there is a Subscriber membership available to individuals who have taken a basic introduction to the Orton-Gillingham Approach. The Subscriber member is not a certified member, but rather an informed consumer.
Link to Online Subscriber Course
The Academy provides an objective and professional assessment of individual training through a Certifying Committee made up of well-trained and highly experienced Orton-Gillingham Fellows.
Training by a Fellow
Academy training relies on coursework and practicum delivered by an Academy Fellow. Fellows are certified by OGA as independent practitioners to deliver 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 training and certification is done by the same organization.
Why get OG training by a Fellow and Certification through OGA?
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 trains people to use the Orton-Gillingham Approach with students of any age—pre-k through adult. We do not follow a set scope and sequence. What is important is 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 to provide this instruction one-on-one, in a classroom, or with any size group. We provide not only the knowledge-base with our coursework but also the practical experience and support learning how to apply the knowledge-base.
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