Training Information

Training by a Fellow or an Academy Accredited Program

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. Academy Accredited Training Programs rely on Fellow(s) to deliver OG instruction approved by OGA.

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.

OGA Fellows

Fellows have been certified as having the training and experience necessary to independently train others in the OG Approach. Fellows follow the Academy’s curriculum and are expected to provide instruction consistent with the highest standards.

Cost of Training

The cost of Orton-Gillingham training varies. Check with the Fellow or the Accredited Training Program for the cost of coursework and practicum. The Academy does not set the fee schedule for independent contractors or accredited sites.

Certification Committee

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 Academy Fellows.

Options for Training with Fellows

  1. Working with individual Fellow(s)-In-Person or  Online
  2. Working with an Accredited Training Fellow (ATF)
  3. Enrolling in an Academy Accredited Training Program 
    • Accredited Training Programs have met standards that enable trainees to apply, on a rolling basis, through the Accredited Training Track (ATT) Process to the Certifying Committee for the Associate and/or the Certified levels.
    • Click here for Accredited Training programs

Examples of Scheduling for Training  

  1. If you are a teacher with summers available, look for training that allows for coursework in the summer and practicum throughout the year with a Fellow through video or online.
  1. If there are no Fellows or training programs near you, and you would like training in-person, your option is to travel to receive training.
  1. If a group of teachers is in search of training, the Academy will assist in locating a Fellow who travels to train.

Coursework & Practicum

Each of the four levels requires coursework hours and supervised practicum.

  1. Classroom Educator, CE/OGA, is intended for educators teaching in a general education setting. The Classroom Educator practitioner is certified by OGA to provide and adapt literacy instruction for the whole class or for small groups needing supplemental support. Classroom Educator is not a prerequisite for Associate Training.
    • The coursework provides educators with the basic content knowledge of research-based explicit language instruction as well as the delivery of instruction aligned with Orton-Gillingham Principles.
    • Students with greater deficits in reading will need more intensive instruction delivered by a practitioner trained at the Associate level or above.
    • 30 coursework hours minimum, 50 lesson practicum. Click here for more information.
    • Classroom Educator is not a prerequisite for Associate level training.

The next three levels represent a continuum of increasing training, experience, and professional competency.

  1. 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.
    • The Associate practitioner is certified by OGA to provide Orton-Gillingham instruction in accordance with the Associate Level standards described in the Curriculum Handbook.
    • The Associate practitioner is not certified to provide OGA training or supervision.
    • 70 hours of coursework and 100 lesson practicum.  Click here for more information.
  2. 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.
    • The Certified practitioner is certified by OGA to provide Orton-Gillingham instruction in accordance with the Certified Level standards described in the Curriculum Handbook.
    • The Certified Level practitioner is not qualified to provide independent OGA training or practicum supervision.
    • 100 hours minimum, 200 lesson practicum. Click here for more information.
  3. 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 follows the standards described in the Curriculum Handbook and the Fellow Handbook to train, supervise, and mentor trainees through the OGA application process at all levels of 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.
    • 100 hours minimum of coursework, 300 hours practicum over 3 years. Click here for more information.

Find a Training Fellow or an Accredited Training Program

Click here for Training Fellows & Locations

Click here for Accredited Training Programs

Application

Click here for Application Information

Link to SurveyMonkey Apply for the online application: orton-gillingham-apply.smapply.io