Orton-Gillingham Practicum

OG Training Practicum Requirements

You’ve Done the Training, But Are You Ready to Use It?

You’re confident in theory, but less so when you’re face-to-face with a student who’s stuck. That’s where the OGA Associate Level Practicum comes in. Get ready to have all 70 hours of training click into place. This is where you move from learning the method to actually doing the work.

What Is the Orton-Gillingham Practicum?

The OGA Associate Practicum is a supervised, real-world application of your Orton-Gillingham training. It’s the second step toward Associate-level certification through the Orton-Gillingham Academy—and the place where confidence is built through practice. Here’s what’s required:

  • Start within 2–3 months of completing your 70-hour Associate-level coursework

  • Teach a minimum of 100 one-to-one structured literacy lessons, each 45–60 minutes long, over a minimum of 8 consecutive months

  • Complete a minimum of 10 observations over the course of the practicum

  • Complete the required readings and summary reports

  • Coordinate with your OGA Fellow or Fellow-in-Training to determine when you’re ready to submit your application for certification

Who Should Enroll in the Orton-Gillingham Practicum?

If you’ve completed your OGA Associate-level training and want to:

Build fluency in structured literacy lesson delivery

Get expert feedback from a certified OGA Fellow and Fellow-in-Training

Work toward full Orton-Gillingham certification

Strengthen your teaching through hands-on experience

…this is your next step. Whether you’re a teacher, specialist, tutor, or administrator supporting a district-wide initiative, the practicum brings it all together.

Meet Your Supervisory Team

Your practicum will be guided by Kristi Perry, M.A., FIT/OGA, and Beth Reusser, CALT, FIT/OGA—seasoned structured literacy specialists who understand both the method and the messiness of real teaching.

We’re supported by Cyndi Schultz, M.A., SLP, ATF/OGA, one of the nation’s top OG trainers and mentors. Her experience guarantees your practicum meets OGA standards and your real-world needs.

How the Orton-Gillingham Training & Practicum Works

  • Step 1: Book a Training Consultation

    We'll review your goals and make sure you're ready to begin the practicum.

  • Step 2: Complete the 70-Hour Course (if you haven’t already)

    This the 70-Hour Course is the foundation for certification. If you’ve already completed it—great. If not, let’s get you started.

  • Step 3: Begin Your Practicum

    Deliver your 100 structured literacy lessons with direct support and supervision.

  • Step 4: Keep Growing

    Get feedback, coaching, and continued support to strengthen your instruction long after the practicum ends.

Orton-Gillingham Training: Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. The practicum is only available to individuals who’ve completed OGA-approved Associate-level coursework.

  • Completing the 70-hour training course and practicum makes you eligible to apply for Associate-level certification through the Orton-Gillingham Academy.

  • It takes a minimum of 8 consecutive months and includes 100 lessons delivered 1:1.

  • Your practicum will be overseen by an OGA Fellow and Fellow-in-Training with extensive structured literacy experience.

  • Rarely does a trainee not meet the requirements. But if a trainee doesn’t meet practicum standards or deadlines, the supervising Fellow reserves the right to discontinue the practicum. We’re here to support you—but also to uphold the quality of OG instruction.

Teaching Reading Shouldn’t Be Guesswork

Get real experience, real support, and one step closer to certification.