A supervised practicum with The Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA) – (formerly AOGPE) provides a trainee with guidance and support as he/she develops skills working with students using the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
A supervised practicum is required for application to the Academy for Certification at any level.
Practicum Supervision
ORTON-GILLINGHAM CLASSROOM EDUCATOR level PRACTICUM
There is a minimum requirement of 50 hours of supervised practicum over 8 consecutive months (minimum) which includes a minimum of five direct observations of the trainee teaching complete lessons in a group (of at least 2 students) or classroom setting conducted by the Fellow (3 out of the 5 observations may be by a Fellow-in-Training (FIT) or Clinical Supervisor (CS) as designated by the Fellow) on-site, unedited video or web-based application. Sessions must be a minimum of twice a week on non-consecutive days.
ORTON-GILLINGHAM ASSOCIATE level PRACTICUM
There is a minimum requirement of 100 hours of supervised practicum with at least ten direct observations of the trainee teaching an entire lesson to a student 1:1 spread out over the course of at least eight months. Up to 30 hours/3 observations MAY be of a small group (2-3 students) with permission from the Fellow. Observations can be conducted on-site, unedited video or web-based application. Sessions must be a minimum of twice a week on non-consecutive days. The observations can be spread out further but cannot be shorter than eight months.
The minimum number of observations is ten – although in some cases, more than ten may be necessary.
– 7 out 10 observations may be by a FIT or Clinical Supervisor (CS) as designated by the Fellow
As of November 2024, OGA is no longer offering Option A and B for Associate Practicum
Trainees should start their practicums as soon as possible after training (within 2-3 months).
ORTON-GILLINGHAM CERTIFIED level PRACTICUM
There is a minimum requirement of an additional 200 hours (for a total of 300 hours), with ten direct observations spread out over a two-year period. Sessions must be a minimum of twice a week on non-consecutive days. The observations can be spread out further but cannot be shorter than two years.
The minimum number of observations is ten – although in some cases, more than ten may be necessary.
The certified level practitioner will work with two different students – one at the lower level of language instruction and one at a higher level of language instruction.
Practicum Requirements
- For anyone planning to submit an application to OGA, the practicum student must be primarily dyslexic. Although we know this approach works well with many different types of students, for the purposes of the practicum experience, the practicum student must be primarily dyslexic (although they may not be identified with this label).
- A Practicum Release form must be signed in advance by a parent of each of the practicum students. This form gives permission for the practicum supervisor to review the student’s lessons, records, and profile, and to observe the lessons – either in person or via video.
- Lessons MUST be a minimum of twice per week for 40-60 minutes on non-consecutive days.
- There is an option for distance supervision subject to availability. Observations may be done virtually using a webcam (ZOOM or other appropriate media) or recorded and submitted within 48 hours.
- Timely written feedback and a follow-up meeting (in person, by video, or phone call) to review comments, answer questions, and discuss the next steps are provided for every observation.
Coaching / Mentoring
Fundamental Learning also offers coaching and mentoring for those who are not applying to OGA for formal certification. This is subject to availability.
Reflections
For the first time, I now have foundational knowledge to understand the English language and teach it to the students in my classroom. I now have the tools to investigate the questions that my students bring to me daily as well as the varied resources that I am regularly asked to use.
Before beginning a practicum course of study, you must have completed the coursework for that level.
Check out our training opportunities.