Training Programs

Purpose: Training future Orton-Gillingham practitioners

Training Programs prepare individuals to become Orton-Gillingham practitioners through coursework, practicum, supervision, and feedback. The instructional leadership of an accredited Training Program must be vested in an Academy Fellow.

The Academy accredits training programs at the Associate and Clinical levels. At the Associate level, programs prepare practitioners for entry-level Orton-Gillingham practice with ongoing instruction and supervision. At the Clinical level, formerly known as Certified, programs prepare practitioners to work as independent Orton-Gillingham practitioners.

Accreditation criteria emphasize the adequacy of the program’s curriculum and the preparation and experience of the staff providing the training.

Benefits of an Accredited Training Program

Trainees in accredited Training Programs may apply through the Accredited Training Track. This process allows trainees to apply to the Academy on a rolling basis, substantially reducing the time between application and acceptance.

Important Criteria

Before accreditation can begin:

• The facility and Orton-Gillingham training program must have been in operation for at least three years.
• The instructional leadership of the program must be vested in an Academy Fellow.
• A Training Program must have at least five applicants who have applied to the Academy’s Certifying Committee, with an 80% acceptance rate, before applying for accreditation.
• The program must demonstrate adequate curriculum and staff preparation and experience.
• The accreditation process takes a minimum of one year.

Once a preliminary accreditation application is accepted, an Academy mentor is assigned to guide the program through the application process. The program completes a self-study and provides supporting documentation for review by the Accrediting Committee.

The Academy accredits the organization’s Orton-Gillingham training program, not the organization itself.

Accreditation Process

The accreditation process includes:

1. Preliminary Application: The program submits a Preliminary Application to the Academy’s Accrediting Committee for approval to proceed.
2. Mentor and Self-Study: Once the preliminary application is accepted, an Academy mentor is assigned. The program works with the mentor to establish a timeline and complete the self-study and supporting documentation.
3. Committee Review and Site Visit: The Accrediting Committee reviews the self-study. If the program meets the standards for the next stage, the Committee arranges an onsite review. The site visit includes observations of the program and its practices.
4. Accreditation Decision: Following the site visit, the visiting team reports its findings to the full Accrediting Committee.

The self-study addresses areas such as:

• Mission, goals, and governance
• Curriculum and program design
• Ongoing self-study and evaluation
• Trainee development and outcomes
• Instructional staff and professional development
• Facilities and resources
• Policies and procedures
• Practicum and supervision

How to Begin

Programs interested in accreditation should first review the appropriate Accreditation materials and determine whether they meet the preliminary requirements.

Programs that meet the criteria may submit a Preliminary Application and the $75 application fee. Preliminary Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Following review of the Preliminary Application, the Accrediting Committee will communicate next steps, which may include discussion of Academy standards, scheduling a site visit, and working with an Academy mentor on the self-study.