Basic Orton-Gillingham Training Institute
Since 1951, licensed teachers (regular education, special education, ELL, reading, speech/language, and Title 1), paraprofessionals, home educators, parents, and even grandparents have taken our training courses, which are designed to help those who struggle unexpectedly learning to read, write, and spell.
To meet the needs of our diverse trainees we offer this course is two formats: entirely online and entirely in person (option for Rochester, MN or woodbury, mn)
The Orton-Gillingham Approach, as taught by highly qualified Reading Center instructors, employs comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction. During the Institutes, participants will learn the approach, the structure of the English language, and apply what's been learned by planning and teaching actual lessons. The training is intense but extremely valuable and life changing. Allow time in your schedule for a training of this magnitude.
Certificates from The Reading Center following training
Trainees that earn a final course grade of A – B will receive a certificate indicating that they “Successfully completed The Reading Center’s Basic Orton-Gillingham Training” plus a certificate indicating the number of clock hours earned.
Trainees that earn a final course grade of C – D will receive a clock hours certificate indicating they “Completed The Reading Center’s Basic Orton-Gillingham Training.”
Trainees in Basic Training Institute are provided with:
An awareness of visual & auditory drills
An opportunity to begin to learn the basic phonetic / linguistic structure of English
Hands on in class practice, plus planning and teaching actual lessons with a student
Trainees successfully completing Basic Training Institute (with practicum) are equipped to begin providing this approach with struggling students in grades 1-5.
This is a 120 hour course that includes supervised practicum with a student. In the online course, the trainee is responsible for finding a student for practicum. In the in-person course, The Reading Center arranges the student.
upcoming institute sessions
Our next session of Basic Online Institute begins on August 25, 2025 and runs through November 16, 2025. To register, click the button below. For information on payment and scholarships, visit our O-G Training page.
Our next session of Basic In-Person Institute begins on July 9th, 2025 and runs through July 31st, 2025. Trainees have the option to take it at our flagship location in Rochester, MN or at our satellite location in Woodbury, MN. To register, click the button below. For information on payment and scholarships, visit our O-G Training page.
“A truly transformative experience for me as a teacher.”
“This training has been very enriching, positive, and inspiring. I can’t wait to use my new knowledge.”
“I feel such a sense of relief that I no longer have to guess my way through different interventions and impersonalized programs without knowing how effective it will be to help the child.”
steps to enroll in online training:
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Register online to save your seat in the training! Seats are limited and may fill quickly.
By default, you will pay the course fee at registration. If you need a different payment arrangement, contact the program assistant at janderbeck@thereadingcenter.org for help prior to registering.
You do not need to have a Practicum Student arranged prior registering; however, if you do, that is wonderful!
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For online trainings, trainees are responsible for finding their own Practicum Students.
How to find a Practicum Student? Ask around your networks to find a student struggling with reading in your area. Perhaps you have a struggling neighborhood child, friend’s child, or a student from your classroom or caseload who could really benefit from receiving O-G instruction during the school day.
Tips when identifying a Practicum Student from your area:
· Choose a student who exhibits difficulties in reading and spelling but does not have significant issues with behavior or focus.
· The student should be somewhere between 2nd and 4th grade and not a close relative, such as your son or daughter.
· Make sure that the student can be available for twelve hour-long Practicum sessions (most likely twice a week for six weeks). Practicum times are typically scheduled during the school day. In our experience, school districts and tutoring centers are generally willing to allow teachers time during the school day to participate in the Practicum experience. Make sure that your schedule works with that of the student.
· Remember that many parents of struggling readers will jump at the chance for their child to receive twelve free reading lessons supervised by an experienced instructor.
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After you register, you will receive more information on the materials and setup you will need to arrange. You will also be assigned a Practicum Instructor, who will serve as your knowledgeable guide throughout this course.
Orton-Gillingham Academy Accreditation
As of July 2021, Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA) requires that online Orton-Gillingham training have a specified number of Fellow-led synchronous hours for trainees who wish to pursue OGA certifications. It is for this reason that we now have two training tracks available; in-person training will count towards the requirements for potential OGA certification.
Withdrawal and Cancellation Policy
Please view our withdrawal and cancellation policy here.
Certificate of Completion
A certificate of successful completion will be presented to those who satisfactorily complete required course work and pass the examinations.
Graduate Credits
Graduate credits are available through Minnesota State University - Moorhead. You must have a four year degree in order to apply for graduate credits. Graduate course credit is in addition to course tuition and is the responsibility of the student. Six credits are available for an additional fee to the university.
In-person Training
The Summer Institute takes place in person in Rochester, Minnesota, for 3.5 weeks in July. It meets Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm. Please see individual class registration pages for specific course dates.
Online Training
Our online training is the same high-quality, Academy accredited program with a national reputation. The 120 hour course is spread out over 12 weeks, and broken down into 12 modules. This is largely a 1:1 training and trainees will meet regularly online with a Practicum Instructor throughout the course. Online trainees print their own materials from work or home.
Student Practicum
During the Reading Center’s online training, each trainee will experience a virtual practicum in which three individuals will be on the computer at one time. This includes Trainee, assigned Reading Center Practicum Instructor, and Practicum Student. The virtual practicum will take place using the WebEx platform. For online trainings, trainees must find a student to use for practicum.
Technology for Online Training
Minimum technology requirements for online training with virtual practicum include: headset, desktop/laptop with camera and microphone, high speed reliable internet connection, and printer. For online training without virtual practicum, you will need the previously mentioned technology requirements plus video recording equipment for practicum sessions. Please note a Windows-based computer is preferred over a MAC when using WebEx software.