Orton-Gillingham Training: The BEST Options in 2023

If you’re considering getting trained or certified in Orton-Gillingham methodology or Structured Literacy, then this is the post to read. We’ll explore what you’ll need to consider for Orton-Gillingham training or certification, explaining the differences between programs and the best options out there!

🤷‍♀️ What is Orton Gillingham?

Structured literacy rooted in the body of research referred to as The Science of Reading is the key to ensuring that ALL children are literate. Whether you’re a parent or teacher, educating yourself in best practices is necessary to help your child or your students.

Decades of research show that structured, explicit, systematic, multisensory education is what is best to help all students be successful readers.

And many programs are now offered to ensure that you can be trained to teach in accordance with these practices.

But with so many programs out there, it can be quite confusing to figure out what is best. So we’re making it easy to understand so you can be informed before choosing the best option that fits your needs!

👩‍🏫 OG Training or Certification: What’s the Difference?

There are very different levels of requirements and depth of knowledge involved in whether you ‘have training’ or are ‘certified’ in the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach.

• OG training introduces the concepts of the OG method to participants. Training usually provides an overview of the approach and includes the basic knowledge to implement best practices with your students.
• OG certification will make you an expert. You will understand the theory and methods in a deep and informative way. Through coursework and supervised practicums, you will develop mastery and can work to gain various certifications, including CERI certification.

👌 Which Option is Best For You?

In order to determine which option is best, you’ll need to consider your future goals and reasons for wanting to pursue training or certification.

But no matter what option you choose, it will be a significant commitment. But it will be worth it to help ensure you have the knowledge and tools to teach structured literacy effectively.

🔟 Top 10 BEST Options for OG Certification

Below is a comprehensive list of independent options that are approved and accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI).

The list below includes partner programs that allow participants to become certified as Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionists (C-SLDI) or Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialists (C-SLDS).

There are other training options out there, but we have only listed the options with credentials through the IDA and their affiliate partner CERI. These programs have been vetted to ensure knowledge and practice that align with Knowledge and Practice Standards (KPS).

1. *Orton-Gillingham Academy (Formally AOGPE) (OGA) – With many options available, you can receive credentials as a classroom educator, an associate level, or a certified level. They also include many fabulous resources and training options for parents. AOGPE is different from other organizations because the training is done by Fellows of the Academy. Because you work under a fellow, you get outstanding training that is personalized throughout your coursework and practicum.
2. *Nehaus Education Center (NEC)– They offer two programs, the Online Certification Preparation for Dyslexia Specialists and Specialist Preparation Program (SPP). The dyslexia specialist is a rigorous two-year program that ensures you are truly an expert. Here is a helpful 2-minute program overview of the OCPDS. The Specialist program offers two levels of certification. SPP Level 1 practitioner program leads to certification from ALTA as a Certified Academic Language Practitioner. SPP Level 2 specialist leads to certification from ALTA as a Certified Academic Language Therapist.
3. *The Apple Group for Dyslexia: The Apple Group offers training for teachers, interventionists, therapists, school administrators, and parents. They offer various courses and trainings with an impressive program that boasts of 100% pass rate on the CERI exam.
4. *Lexercise: Lexercise advertises as being “[t]he most convenient, affordable, and effective professional development.” They offer their courses online that can be completed at your own pace. Their courses and practicum provide the knowledge and experience needed to understand the principles and practices of Structured Literacy. After participating in the Structure of Written English course ourselves, we can say we 100% recommend their training. We gained so much important information and knowledge and loved the self-paced, online format!
5. *Wilson Reading System – (WRS): A 3-day introductory course is required. Then, two certification levels are offered and a supervised practicum is included. Level 1 prepares you to become a Wilson® Dyslexia Practioner and Level 2 prepares you to become a Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist. Both are excellent options.
6. *The International Multisensory Structured Literacy Education Council (IMSLEC): This organization specializes in preparing dyslexia teachers and therapists. They have four tracks of study that includes teaching, instructor of teaching, therapy, or instructor of therapy. These tracks can take anywhere from 9 months to three years.
7. *AIM Institute for Learning and Research (AIM Pathways): AIM PATHWAYS™ provides easy-to-access, online courses. It was a gold award winner in 2020 in the Science of Learning Category at the Reimagine Education Conference. They offer four courses: Pathways to Proficient Writing, Pathways to Proficient Reading, Pathways to Literacy Leadership, and Pathways to Structured Literacy: The Orton-Gillingham Approach.
8. The Reading Teacher’s Top 10 Tools: Top10Tools has 10 units, or tools, each focused on a different aspect of reading instruction. Included are: Knowledge, Oral Language, Phonemes, Phonics and Spelling, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Fluency, Writing, Read Alouds, and Collaboration. It is an affordable option costing $45 per month and is self-paced and flexible. You can take the IDA accredited course, and no practicum is required.
9. Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS): This training includes 8 units and offers flexible training options. These units are developed by leading experts in the Science of Reading like Dr. Lousia Moats, Dr. Carol Tolman, and Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson. Those who have gone through this program rave about it, but also don’t shy away from the time commitment it takes.
10. Institute for Multisensory Education (IMSE): IMSE provides comprehensive Orton-Gillingham training available in person and in a remote format that is convenient for teachers’ schedules. Three main courses are offered: IMSE Impact Comprehensive Plus Training (30 hours), IMSE Impact Morphology Plus training (30 hours), and IMSE Phonological Awareness Training (12.5 hours). After completing the Phonological Awareness and one other Plus trainings, you can apply for a 50-hour practicum.

*Those with an asterisk indicate that these programs have earned IDA Accreditation^Plus. This means these programs “have received IDA accreditation and also produce educators who have engaged in intensive supervised practicum experiences that were sufficiently designed and staffed to promote applied mastery of the principles and practices of structured literacy in the service of preventing reading failure and remediating off-track readers with profiles characteristic of dyslexia.”

👉 Options 1-5: OGA, WRS, NEC, The Apple Groups, and Lexercise offer options of passing the KPEERI exam to earn the title of Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialists (C-SLDS).

👉 Options 6-10: IMSLEC, AIM Pathways, Top10Tools, LETRS, and IMSE offer options of passing the KPEERI exam to earn the title of Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist (C-SLDI).

❓ FAQ

Conclusion

We are encouraged by the many educators who, like us, are on this journey to expand their knowledge base to grow into the best educators possible.

Ultimately, understanding the Science of Reading and teaching in accordance with research-based practices will help ensure all students become literate.

With so many options (and acronyms) out there, we hope this information helped you understand the options for Orton-Gillingham training and certification. We suggest taking this list and using it as a springboard as you research the best option for you!

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