The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators accredits training programs for persons aspiring to become Orton-Gillingham practitioners. It also accredits, in schools, clinics and camps, Orton-Gillingham instruction that meets Academy standards.
Academy criteria for accreditation of an Orton-Gillingham practitioner training program emphasize the adequacy of curricula used by a program and the preparation and experience of the staff providing the training. Evidence of general support available to a program is also considered. Final accreditation also requires that the instructional leadership of the program be vested in a staff member who has the status of a Fellow in the Academy. A program whose application for accreditation is accepted is assigned a mentor by the Academy who assists the applicant at the various stages of the application process. Parties interested in the participating in this program should request specifics from the Academy. Persons who receive their Orton-Gillingham training through Accredited Programs are able to substantially simplify the documentation required when seeking Academy certification.
The Academy also accredits, in schools, clinics and camps, Orton-Gillingham instruction that meets Academy standards. For information about these offerings, interested persons should contact the schools in question. See Accreditation Program on the home page index for a sequential listing of all Academy accredited programs.
Membership at the Associate level requires a Bachelor's degree, 60 hours of course work instructed by a Fellow/AOGPE based on the Academy's required curriculum at the Associate level, 100 hours in a supervised practicum teaching one-to-one under the direction of a Fellow/AOGPE (to include a minimum of 10 hours of direct observation). The practicum and course work must be spread out over a period of one year (no less than 8 months), and completion of the Academy's Required Reading. Associate members continue to work under the supervision of a Fellow/AOGPE.
Membership at the Certified level requires completion of all the requirements for the Associate level, an additional 100 hours of course work instructed by a Fellow/AOGPE based on the required curriculum at the Certified level beyond the 60 hours at the Associate level for a total of 160 hours of Orton-Gillingham course work, plus 200 additional hours in a supervised practicum under the direction of a Fellow/AOGPE over a 2 year period (to include a minimum of 10 hours of direct observation over the 2 years) for a total of 300 hours of practicum over a 3 year period. This totals 3 years of experience as an Orton-Gillingham practitioner under the direction of a Fellow/AOGPE, and evidence of completion of the Academy's required readings at the Certified level. Certified members are qualified to tutor individuals and small groups in the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
Membership as a Fellow of the Academy requires completion of all the requirements for the Certified level. In addition the requirements to be a Fellow include a Master's degree or the equivalent, 90 additional hours of course work instructed by a Fellow/AOGPE based on the required curriculum at the Fellow level beyond the 160 hours at the Associate and Certified levels for a total of 250 hours of Orton-Gillingham course work; 300 additional hours in a supervised practicum under the direction of a Fellow/AOGPE based on the Fellow practicum guidelines over a 3 year period for a total of 600 hours of practicum over a 6 year period. This totals 6 years of experience as an Orton-Gillingham practitioner under the direction of a Fellow/AOGPE, and evidence of completion of the Academy's Required Readings at the Fellow level; and evidence of continuing professional development. A Fellow of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators is qualified to train and supervise other professionals in the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
A Subscriber member has completed a course of at least 10 hours duration based on the Academy's required curriculum at the Subscriber level. The course is an overview of the Orton-Gillingham approach presented by a Fellow/AOGPE covering: introduction to Orton-Gillingham, characteristics of dyslexia, neurological basis for multisensory teaching, phonology, history, and structure of the English language, and the Orton-Gillingham lesson. The Subscriber course is an introduction to the Orton-Gillingham approach. Subscriber members receive mailings including lists of approved courses and conferences, announcements, and newsletters. Subscriber members are informed consumers but are not qualified to teach using the Orton-Gillingham approach.
The Academy also offers a 10-hour Online Subscriber Course offering an overview of the Orton Gillingham approach. The course follows the Academy's Subscriber curriculum. Those who complete the course will be eligible to join the Academy upon completion of an application and payment of the Subscriber dues. It is our mission to teach the widest possible audience what dyslexia is and what its treatment should be. This course was developed by Fellows of the Academy.