Instructional Programs Guidelines

Instructional Programs are schools, camps, and clinics that provide Orton-Gillingham instruction to students. They are distinct from Training Programs: an Instructional Program provides instruction to learners; it does not train individuals to become Orton-Gillingham practitioners.

Instructional Programs may provide individual and small-group Orton-Gillingham instruction. Schools may also incorporate the Orton-Gillingham Approach throughout the school day.

Accreditation requires that instructional leadership be vested in an Academy Fellow. The Fellow of Record oversees the program and helps ensure that Academy standards are maintained.

Important Criteria

Before accreditation can begin:

• The facility and Orton-Gillingham instructional program must have been in operation for at least three years.
• A school must already be accredited by an official school accreditation agency.
• The instructional leadership of the program must be vested in an Academy Fellow.
• Instructional staff must include Academy members at various levels of certification or individuals who are in the process of becoming Academy certified.
• The program must meet Academy standards for staffing, curriculum, instruction, professional development, and program oversight.
• The accreditation process takes a minimum of one year.

The Fellow develops the program’s curriculum in alignment with Academy standards and curriculum guidelines.

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 Committee makes a recommendation to the OGA Board of Trustees, which makes the final accreditation decision.

The self-study addresses areas such as:

• Mission, goals, and governance
• Program objectives and implementation
• Ongoing self-study, evaluation, and program improvement
• Curriculum
• Instructional staff and professional development
• Student population and outcomes
• Facilities and resources
• Policies, procedures, and program documentation

How to Begin

Schools, camps, and clinics 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.